Taking caution to the extreme

Our veterinarian doesn’t walk her dogs. Not ever. They don’t actually spend any time outside. And we’re starting to wonder if maybe she has the right idea.

She has Yorkshire Terriers, so using potty pads is practical for her. She doesn’t have to worry about all the nasties that live in the wild; all the parasites, bacteria, and viruses that dogs can pick up on a little “sniffari.”

Dangers of the great outdoors

Of course she was telling us about it as we wrapped up a visit where she had to treat our dog for gastrointestinal issues. Nothing inside was different, so we guessed he picked up something somewhere in the yard or on a walk. He is fond of eating anything green. He’s also a speedy, sneaky fellow grabbing a mouthful as he passes any bush or weed.

It’s certainly safer to keep your pets inside. When we had a cat, he never ventured out. We actually tried at first, but taking him for a drag just seemed mean. He was perfectly content inside four walls.

Dogs are a different proposition. We suppose you can train them to use a litter box or pads. Some city dwellers have grass patches on balconies or terraces. That works for the necessities. But what about all the rest of life?

Social creatures

Dogs are truly companion animals. They’re happiest when they’re with their people. It’s more fun for both of you when all kinds of outings, from exploring the neighborhood, to going to the local festivals, to enjoying the local brewery’s patio are enjoyed together.

Some dogs just enjoy basking in the sunshine. It’s invariably our darkest-colored dogs who most enjoy it. And wind up panting in moments. But until then, you can almost hear them purr with contentment.

There’s the health and wellbeing aspect, too. There are days when you know you wouldn’t get out of bed if you didn’t have to walk the dog. You certainly wouldn’t get out and walk a couple miles if the dog didn’t need exercise. And how many people would really smile and chat with if your dog wasn’t with you?

Bigger life

There’s a saying by John Shedd: “A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” A dog is safe at home, but that’s not the whole reason you have a dog.

For us, getting out and doing stuff with our dogs is an integral part of life. We go to training classes, both teaching and taking. Our dogs are wonderful travelers and we can take them anywhere. And we enjoy it more because our family is with us.

Safety first

While it’s occasionally trouble, like our recent trip to the vet, it’s worth it. We’ll keep exposing our dogs to the outside world’s limited dangers and take the precautions we need to. Because it’s a bigger, better life for all of us.