Читать книгу 101 Things to Know Before Getting a Dog - Susan Ewing M. - Страница 4

Introduction

First Things First…

In this book, I use the masculine pronoun when talking about dogs, unless I’m speaking about a specific dog whose sex I know. When I speak of breeders, I use the feminine pronoun because female breeders seem to be in the majority.

I try to write to a specific person, but because a first-time dog owner could be anyone, I’ve tried to cover all the bases, whether the reader is a twelve-year-old getting a puppy, a parent trying to select the right family pet, or the senior who wants a canine companion. Also, because the new dog could be a puppy or an adult, I’ve tried to cover both possibilities. Generally, advice for a puppy can be translated into advice for an adult dog, but an adult dog may learn certain things faster from past experience.

Why 101 things? Years ago, there was a list making the rounds that went something like this:

• All you need to show a dog is a dog and a leash and a collar.

• All you need to show a dog is a dog and a leash and a collar and a tack box full of grooming supplies.

…and a grooming table.

…and an ex-pen.

…and so on.

The list continues with all of the extras, culminating in a motor home. It was a humorous look at all of the items you can accumulate because of your dog—many useful but not strictly necessary.

This book is like that list. You might not need to buy or think about all 101 things, but they’re good to know about anyway, and they’ll help give you the best beginning to a lifelong friendship with a dog.