by Snow Vandemore

Created on: July 09, 2008

When bringing home a new puppy or an adult dog, the first important decision that needs to be made is where it is going to live - indoors or outdoors? This is one of those issues, like politics or religion, where people have a definite position on the matter - you are either an "indoor pet person" or an "outdoor pet person" and never the twain shall meet.

I happen to have both - two dogs and one cat that live outdoors and two dogs and two cats that live indoors. I can most assuredly say without a doubt that dogs should be indoor pets. Let me explain.

When I first met my husband, I had two indoor cats and he had three outdoor dogs. A mixed relationship if there ever was one. However, we learned to co-exist in each other's worlds and everything has worked out just fine, even if neither of us really agreed on the other's way of thinking regarding pet ownership. We have learned to meet each other in the middle - he tolerates my "furballs" as he calls them, and I trudge outside every day in rain, snow and thunderstorms, to feed his best friends - Rex and Dahli.

Our worlds collided when we decided to get a German Shepherd puppy last summer. His coon hound had died the year before and it seemed that enough time had passed and we were ready to add another critter to our family. Before we made the decision to get another dog we did have the discussion about where it was going to live. We both decided that we were ready for an indoor dog and that is exactly what we have had for the past year. Let me tell you - I have never had an indoor dog before and it since we acquired Sioux, our German Shepherd female, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, to date.

With outdoor dogs, although they are always present and you can often hear them bark and growl and see them wag their tails when they catch a glimpse of you coming out the back door, you do have a tendency to forget they are around when you are not in close proximity. Of course, I do my best to give them as much attention as I can at feeding time, but with busy days and chores to complete, I regret to say that unless they make their presence known, I tend to forget they are even there.

Indoor dogs are another story all together. They greet you at first wake, are underfoot at every chance, and are an integral part of your life - especially if you are at home every day like myself. The world seems to revolve around our German Shepherd and her activities - which is just fine with me. The interactions we share on a daily basis are priceless and I would never have known what it is to have such a dear friend who depends on me, loves me and "talks" to me all day if she wasn't indoors with me and participating in my life as she most certainly does. I am constantly aware of her by my side, at my feet, nudging me with her wet nose when she needs some attention. Another benefit of having an indoor dog is that you are attentive to their health and any changes that are taking place regarding their well-being. The same can't be said for outdoor dogs - you just don't spend enough time with them to notice.

We are picking up another German Shepherd puppy this weekend - a male named Buck - who is Sioux's little brother. He will also be an indoor dog - I wouldn't have it any other way.

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