By HELEN VNUK
I always treated my dogs like children. I’d buy them fluffy toys, take them fun places on weekends and let them sleep at the end of the bed.
Then I had real babies, and… well, now my house is full of children, both the two-legged and four-legged kind. And I need to get a bigger bed.
I’m really glad my son and daughter are growing up with dogs. They’re learning to respect animals, but not to be afraid of them. And, although my human children demand a lot of attention, I need to make time for my dogs too, because they are just as much part of the family.
Here are nine things all dog owners can do to make sure their pets stay healthy.
1. Exercise your dog every day.
It’s a good excuse to get the whole family out of the house. Try to let your dog run around off the leash, if possible. (If you don’t know where your nearest off-leash park is, ask your local council.) Exercise is not only good for dogs physically, it’s good for them mentally.
A dog that gets a lot of stimulation from exercise is less likely to dig gigantic craters in the backyard.