18 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | PETS
Carol Channing Well, Hello Dolly!!! We raised Carol Channing from a chick. This involved months of raising her in our home office. When away from home, we streamed her to our office computers. From an early age, she showed her uniqueness by leading the other chickens in the coop through her examples of kindness and curiosity. She is also the most talkative of all the chickens. Whether during our early morning visits to the coop or evening visits when we watch our chickens roost, Carol is always engaging us with melodic clucks. DARRIN BROOKS, STEVEN CAMICIA
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dog in their family out of their three rescue pups. His little nose and paws get cold, so at all times he insists on wrapping his face in a blanket or tucking his paws in your arm folds, thighs, or side. Sometimes we can’t find Biggie, so we yell his name only to see a small head perk up out of a pile of blankets. In this photo, we all look so serious, but we were just watching a squirrel play in the front yard of our little bungalow. JEN AND CJ
Ramses the Pupper I’d like to introduce you to my good friend, Ramses the Pupper. Rami to those closest to him. He sometimes answers to Ram,
To dog, or not to dog — that is the question. BY BROCK KANNAN
Pets.
Where to start? If you are like me, then you are a dog person who has an appreciation for cats, but would never let one in your home. No offense, but for some reason, I never found the bond with a cat that I did with a dog. Perhaps my southern upbringing instilled a sense of canine nostalgia which to this day has never escaped me. To this day, the story of a good dog can make me tear up. But I digress. For those dog lovers out there, I want to tackle the age ole question: “should you adopt or purchase your new pooch?” Adding a new companion to your life is both exciting and extremely challenging. It’s not something you should take lightly. Your new friend will be with you for a while, so there are a lot of decisions to make before choosing a new dog. To make this decision, you need to consider your current lifestyle. Being impulsive with this is irresponsible and will lead to unhappiness for you and the dog. Adopting and buying a dog are two completely different things. There are benefits to both, so the best choice for you ultimately
Rambo, and Rama-lama. Or Babies. Rami is an 11-month-old mixed breed of Jack Russell, Shih-Tzu, Bichon, and Pomeranian. He enjoys wagging his tail constantly, playing with dryer sheets, tissues, and slippers, cuddling with his “Mom” (me), and sleeping under the covers. Rami does NOT like unfamiliar dogs, unfamiliar people, alarm clocks, or thunderstorms. This crazy pup has absolutely won my heart, and I can’t imagine my life without him! KIRSTEN B. CARON, AKA VICTORY RED
Chico Chicho (left) was brought home
Biggie When Jen was out of town for business, CJ found Biggie and fell in love. She rescued him, and with a bouquet in hand and their new family member, greeted Jen at the airport. Biggie happens to be the smallest
Issue 302 | JULY 18, 2019
depends on what you’re looking for. To help you make an informed decision, let’s break down each option. When you choose to adopt, you’re doing a great thing. Many dogs end up in shelters or get rescued from harsh conditions. But this doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a second chance. The first consideration is price. Adopting a dog is significantly cheaper than purchasing one. The prices range depending on where you are adopting from and if money has been spent on vet services or grooming — but the cost is a definite consideration. When adopting, you have the option of choosing a dog of any age. This is a chance to consider your lifestyle and find an age that suits your day-to-day routine. When adopting, you can find a dog that’s already trained. This way, other than your new buddy learning your name, they’re already keen on simple commands and housebroken. Now let’s move to some of the ins and outs of buying. You should never buy from pet stores. You need to find a respected breeder that cares about their dogs and the owners
as a surprise for my fiancé, Jandy. Let’s just say that a chihuahua wasn’t the surprise she was expecting, but he’s turned out to be one of the best dogs ever. Bella (right) is my childhood pet and after a last minute decision, we drove her from Southern Calif. to Utah one holiday weekend. This photo was taken at her 10th birthday pawty. These two pups have become the best of friends, even though Chicho is still salty that Bella had a party. JANDY S. & ANDY R they sell to. If you’re only interested in particular breeds, buying is probably your best bet. Breeders supply purebred dogs, so you know exactly what you’re getting. An advantage here is that you’ll have a good idea of how big the dog will be as an adult. They’ll be no surprises. When buying a dog, you’re starting from scratch. If you want to have total control over the way your dog is trained from the beginning, buying a puppy is the way to go. You’ll be the most familiar person to them, and likely your most loyal companion. When you adopt a dog, things can be a bit unpredictable. You have some control, but you’re still taking charge of a dog with a past. This isn’t the case with buying. You know exactly what to expect if you do your research and work with a good breeder. The health of the puppy will have been checked, so you know you’re getting a strong dog. Now that you know the difference between buying and adopting, you probably have an idea of which is right for you. The most important thing is to take your time. Then, enjoy years of companionship. And if you have a good story about man’s best friend, feel free to send it along my way. Q
