All responsible dog owners want what is best for their dogs. It starts with something so simple: our love and affection for them. When a dog gives us that trusting look or that wag of the tail that communicates their happiness to see us, it makes everything seem right in our lives in that moment. I know that these simple, yet profound moments have done more to grow my compassion than anything I can remember since having kids. The result is a fierce desire to honor their loving trust by doing the best I can for them, but this can quickly turn into a jumbled mess of complicated information, breeding confusion. In this post, we will identify some of the areas of confusion that we have experienced. We will also share our vision for our community forming around mutual support and cooperation and the benefits that will bring into our lives and those of our dogs!
This is a list (not exhaustive) of issues that
have generated stress for us as we considered how to best raise our pups:
-Should I feed him kibble, air-dried food, or
raw?
-Are grains good for him, or are meat and
veggies better?
-Should I train him with treats and positive
reinforcement or tools?
-Does socialization consist of playing with lots
of other dogs, or is it being bonded with me to the point that he can ignore
other dogs until I release him to play?
-Is it best for our relationship to have him on
the couch and in the bed with us, or do we need to maintain clear boundaries
between human and animal?
-Are flea, tick, and heartworm treatments safe
for my dog?
There are countless considerations to be made,
and we hope to dig into many of these topics in our coming posts. In our
experience, the answer to several of these questions depends on various
factors. Learning more of these factors empowers us to make the best choice for
our unique position.
Here at The Canine Oasis, we believe that one
size does not fit all. What works for me might very well not be the right thing
for you. The more we can share and educate without prescribing our solutions
to others to bring more clarity to the various options so a loving,
caring dog owner can make the right choice for them and their pet, the stronger
our community will become, and then we can focus on what matters most - the
dogs!!!
We hope to bridge the gap between opposing ideological camps
so we can release the negative energy bound up in fighting about these issues
so that our energy can be applied to improving and saving dogs' lives. Our
vision for dogs is that through the influence and services provided through The
Canine Oasis more canines experience a high level of contentment and
fulfillment that strengthens their bonds with their humans, fewer dogs are
relegated to sad, stressful lives in shelters, and no more healthy dogs ever
find their way to the euthanasia table.
We sincerely hope that this type of culture
appeals to you and that you join us and help us turn the dream into reality.
We're excited to meet you and your dogs and for the privilege, it will be to
experience your unique bonds with your pets and the experiences you have shared
with them. We can always learn from each other, not to mention how much our
dogs will teach us if we let them.
Cooperation and continued education are key.
Keeping an open mind intent on making the next best decision for us and our
dogs will aid our efforts.
We would love for you to share any positive
insights you have had on these issues. Is there a topic that you would like us
to address sooner than later? If so, just comment below or send us an email at
info@thecanineoasis.com. We look forward to forming a dog-loving community with
you!

