Pet talk

Once you have decided what type of pet you want, and where you are going to get it, the last thing is picking out your pet from the rest of the animals in the enclosure. So we are talking about puppies in a litter, cats in a room in a shelter, or other like animals housed together.

The animals that make the best pets are the ones that absolutely adore you. And the only way to find that animal, is to let it pick you out as its new owner. If possible this is what you do: Get in a room with the litter and allow them to roam freely about. Sit down in the center and watch the puppies that are too busy exploring their new environment to even notice that you are there. Those are the ones you do not want. Remove them from the room and watch the ones left. You want the one most aggressively begging to be noticed by you. The one climbing on your lap and trying to lick your face. That is the puppy who really, really, wants you–and that one will be your most loyal pet.

This happened to me a few years back while visiting a bird breeder in Florida. He had several birds all playing on perches or sitting on top of their cages watching the people walk by. There were lots of people there and some birds were sitting on people, being petted and being played with. I noticed one very pretty bird, who kept watching me. As I got closer to her cage she got closer to me until she ran out of cage and was left hanging there just calling me with her eyes. Of course, I knew what she wanted–she wanted me to offer my hand to climb aboard. But I also know the games parrots play. Many lure you over just to bite your hands! ( They have a great sense of humor and love to see the expression on peoples faces when they get bit). I decided to take a chance and she hopped on my hand like she had known me forever. She played with my wedding ring for a while and then climbed up my arm to play with my hair and earrings. We definitely had some chemistry! Because the owner was busy with other people we played for a long time. Finally the owner turned around and saw her on my shoulder and exclaimed: “Oh my God, she isn’t attacking you!!” At that point the owner explained that the bird was normally a very nasty bird and was very good at luring people in just to take a chunk out of their hands. He said she must really like me and lowered her posted price just to get me to buy her. I couldn’t because of my dogs and a long plane ride home, but if I had, that bird would have been a loyal friend for life.

My husband used this method to pick out Tigger (our male Boxer), from the pound. Tigger was the only dog to calmly and quietly walk up to the front of the run and lick his hand. He did not jump, he did not bark, just a quick lick and those soulful eyes told Bill that Tigger was the dog for him. And he was right. Tigger has made a wonderful addition to our family. Tigger picked us out and that is the secret to finding the most loyal and loving pet–let them do it for you!

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