Puppy parade
By Christine Foster 

I don’t know if it’s the rainy season, but we suddenly have a flood of puppies—litters of six, seven, and four. So if you’ve been thinking of adopting a pet that will grow up as part of your family, this is a great time to come and check out the glorious gang in Puppy World at the SPA.

Of course, a puppy needs to be a good match not only for you but also for your home. 

Just like a child, your puppy is going to put things in its mouth. You’ll need to get down to floor level and look at things from his point of view. Make sure all hazardous household items—insecticides, antifreeze, cleaners, cords, loose pins or nails and chewable materials like string or plastic bags—are out of reach as your puppy grows. And keep your toilet lid down!

You also need to find out if any of your plants are poisonous. (Oleanders and rhododendrons can be fatal.) Raisins, chocolate, apricot and peach pits, as well as spinach and tomato vines can also make your puppy sick, or worse.

Your puppy needs to spend the night in a crate or in some other sectioned-off, secure area when you are not supervising and until housetrained. If the puppy is really young, you will want to leave comfort items: fleecy toys, a ticking alarm clock inside a sock, a night light and perhaps a radio playing low.

To speed housetraining, wait a few minutes after feeding, then carry him outside to do his business. Watch him carefully and when he relieves himself, say his name and praise him. When’s he’s finished, play with him. You are now his pack, and you need to show him you’re the alpha leader by setting boundaries and providing satisfying rewards—treats and time with you. 

Raising a pup isn’t for everyone, but the rewards can be immeasurable—boundless love, unswerving loyalty and ongoing lessons in how to live life in the present for the simple joy of each moment. Odds are you’re going to smile a lot more!

Our gala fundraiser on July 22 with Doc Severinsen and Gil y Cartas is fast approaching. Look for the ad and feature article in this issue for more information or visit our website at www.spasanmiguel.org.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.animalwelfaresma.org  or at Border Crossings, Solutions or La Conexión.

Come visit Puppy World at the SPA any weekday, 11am–2pm, at Los Pinos 7, a right turn off Calzada de la Estación just before the central bus station.
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