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Will, dogs can and are trained, just to be nice dogs and it costs very little. Gives you something to do also, because you must reinforce the training. Nita will johnston wrote: > PARKINSON'S NEWSLETTER of the Delmarva Chapter, American Parkinson > Disease Association > Mar - Apr 1999 4049 Oakland School Road Salisbury, Maryland > 21804-2716 410-543-0110 > FAX (410) 543-1378 e-mail > [log in to unmask] > A PET CAN BE GOOD THERAPY, BUT... > Many books and magazine articles recommend having a pet as good therapy for > almost anything that ails you, but watch out. Last spring I decided that a > dog would be a good companion for walks in the neighborhood. The > responsibility for walking the dog would encourage me to walk myself, > thereby getting > much of the exercise I need. Walking is good exercise, and a dog will help > make many friendships as you walk. > > A visit to the Wicomico County Humane Shelter is an emotional event. There > are so many dogs and cats who would like to go home with you, and you have > decided that one is enough. There was an almost > shepherd dog who seemed to be particularly anxious to be my dog. The people > at the animal shelter said he was about eighteen months to two years old > and was full grown. His name was Harley, and the people who had left him > there had moved to a place where pets were not allowed. There was a patch > of red on > his back where a little girl had spilled finger nail polish. He had been > fixed, and the previous owners had pre-paid all the cost of his adoption. > The animal shelter building has high ceilings and large rooms which make > dogs seem smaller. Harley was more dog than we had realized. The Humane > Shelter people were not quite right about his being full grown. They > weren't even close! They lied! His weight has increased about 80%. > In spite of his size, his appetite, and the ever-present dog fur which he > sheds continuously, he is good company. He is very strong and wants the > neighbors' cats for lunch and dinner. Holding on when a cat comes into view > or the neighborhood children get off the school bus is difficult. > Harley has not been trained as an assistance dog. He is a member of the > family and a responsibility. He wants to go with me whenever I leave home > in the van and barks his disapproval if I go out alone. Get a dog? I > recommend having a pet, but suggest caution when visiting the pound. > > Will