Thinking About Buying?

The Humane Society has a good list of topics to consider before buying a puppy. Topping the list: Choosing the right dog.

I'll say. We bought a yellow Labrador pup almost two years ago, with no recognition of just how much energy a Lab could actually expend. She turned 2 last month and is just beginning to calm down.

That's after she destroyed a neighbor's door, ate the cables on the side of the house, chewed her way into a food cabinet, broke into the shed and ate two bicycle seats, chewed numerous shoes and other items around the house, and, the topper, ate into the plastic fuel sensor underneath the car, leading to a $500 repair bill. She thinks cars are her friend and, until recently, if she managed to burst out of the house without a leash, would run all over the place, including in front of cars, hoping we would chase her.

But we love her and would never consider getting rid of her. She's an absolutely fabulous dog, tons of personality, playful, great to have around. It's hard to describe how many tricks this dog has to get her way. But had I realized what people were saying about Labs having a lot of energy, we never would have bought her in the first place. Shh, don't mention that the the kids.