Yesterday, I had the good fun of speaking with a terrific group of kids who were spending their week at Mahogany Ridge “KidsCamp!” It’s a camp where kids and their dogs get to play and learn together. Theresa Richmond, the camp director and trainer, (whom some of you may remember from Dogs of Dreamtime) invited me to give a talk on what it’s like to write about dogs.
As with training dogs, writing about dogs is best learned by doing. So the kids worked on an article together entitled “10 Great Reasons to Have a Dog.” First, each child wrote down their reasons, and then we added up how many of those sentiments were shared by others.
What follows is the tally of great reasons, along with the name of each child who selected each reason.
10 Great Reasons to Have a Dog
#1. Dogs are great companions and your best friends forever. 15 thumbs up.
- Haylie, Kiera, Briana, Maria, Juliana, Ali, Peter, Rebeca, Ben, Robby, Julie, Marita, Nicole, Sylvia, Ian
#2. Dogs are lovable and nice / cute and cuddly. 10 thumbs up.
- Tori, Haylie, Juliana, Meghan, Ian, Ali, Michael, Maria, Robby, Briana
#3. Tied. Dogs love to play. You can play with them, and you both get exercise. 9 thumbs up.
- Briana, Griffin, Haylie, Tori, Michael, Marita, Peter, Julie, Mike
Dogs teach you patience and responsibility. They are someone to love and care for. 9 thumbs up.
- Ben, Marita, Ali, Michael, Sylvia, Briana, Kiera, Gabby, Julie
#4. Dogs are lots of fun, and they’re entertaining. 8 thumbs up.
- Robby, Griffin, Gabby, Kiera, Maria, Michael, Peter, Haylie, Mike
#5. Dogs love you as much as you love them. 7 thumbs up.
- Danielle, Juliana, Marita, Tori, Ali, Briana, Haylie
#6. Tied. Dogs are very trusting and loyal, they help you learn how to trust. 5 thumbs up.
- Rebeca, Juliana, Ali, Ben, Briana
Dogs are good protection. Some would give their lives for you. 5 thumbs up.
- Rebeca, Briana, Mike, Maria, Robby
#7. Dogs are fun to train for activities like agility, and you can teach them lots of tricks. 4 thumbs up.
- Robby, Danielle, Tori, Haylie
#8. Tied. Dogs need a home and you get to give them one, which makes you both happy. 3 thumbs up.
- Haylie, Ali, Ben
There are lots of different breeds and sizes to choose from. 3 thumbs up.
- Ian, Tori, Meghan-Mary
#9. Tied. Dogs make great alarm clocks; they like to wake you up in the morning. 2 thumbs up.
- Mike, Julie
Dogs are great with children and some are nice with babies. 2 thumbs up.
- Meghan-Mary, Robby
#10. Dogs make great vacuum cleaners; they pick up food off the floor. 1 thumb up.
- Danielle (I have to say, on my list, this is much higher up.)
There were so many #10s that, for the sake of space, I’ve grouped them together.
· Dogs comfort you. (Briana)
· You can name your dog whatever you want, and they kiss you. (Tori)
· Dogs are always happy to see you, and they are in your heart forever. (Ali)
· Dogs are good workers. (Juliana)
· Dogs understand your feelings. (Kiera)
· Dogs are a piece of work. (Griffin)
· Dogs can help you and be trained to call 911 in case of an emergency. (Mike)
· Feeding my dog is another paying chore. (Michael)
· Dogs will keep you happy when you are lonely, and they will always be waiting for you when you get home. (Sylvia)
· Petting dogs lowers your blood pressure, and you feel rewarded when they’re happy. (Haylie)
· Dogs never want to let you down, and they are very funny. (Rebeca)
· The way dogs look at you makes you swear they are smiling. And I love how my dog licks my face when I call her and how she prances back with the ball when I throw it. (Nicole )
Contributing writers are listed in alphabetical order: (Parents and children, if you see any corrections that need to be made, please email me and I will update.)
- Michael “Mike” Gulli and his Chocolate Lab, Doc
- Julie Lattanzio and her Sheltie, Rose
- Griffin Potter and his Wheaton Terrier, Ernie
- Rebeca Baker and her Australian Shepherd, Toby
- Marita Breen and her English Springer Spanie, Libby
- Ben Burke and his Portuguese Water Dog, Arlo
- Maria Burke and her Catahoula mix, Henry
- Haylie Gernert-Dott and her Wheaton Terrier, Tally Ho
- Tori Gernert-Dott and her Welsh Terrier, Baker
- Peter Judson and his rare breed, Scout
- Sylvia Kimmel and her Collie, Mia
- Nicole Manning and her Golden Retriever, Abby
- Robert “Robby” Pollaro and his Beagle mix, Lily
- Ali Reinhold and her Dachshund, Dixie
- Juliana Rivera and her Shih-tzu, Jewels
- Danielle Ross and her Black Lab, Lucy
- Briana Sirianni and her Bichon Frisee, Josie
- Ian Snell and his Lab mix, Maxine
- Kiera Taylor and her Chocolate Lab, Lucy
- Gabriela “Gabby” Thiele and her Corgi, Cassidy
- Michael Vassolas and his Golden Retriever, Monty
- Megan Mary White and her Yorkie, PJ
Thanks for the info, I’m trying to convince my parents to get me a dog (I’ll even pay for it), but they’re not all the way behind me on it, so, I’ll need some convincing done! If you have any more reasons why to get a dog, can you please let know?!?!?! Thanks again!!!
Thanks for the great reasons, I’m trying to convince my dad. I hope this works!!!
Becky, if you’ve got the room for one and the time to train, there is no better gift your dad could give you. Good luck!
Thanks for these great reasons. I have been dreaming about getting a dog for years. Hopefully my parents will alow me to have a speacial pal someday! Can I have some tips, how can I have my mother not be nervous around dogs? How can I convince my father that they are not dirty? Thanks for your help!
This info was great! I am writing an essay, and I needed some good info for it. Thanks for the great reasons. I think its going to help me get an A+ in English. :)
I really want a Golden Retriever puppy, but my parents said no. I have all the right reasons, but don’t know where I’m going wrong. Suggestions?
Sophie, sometimes you can have the best of reasons, and still not have it be the best of times to get a dog. Maybe if you ask your parents what you could do to prove to them that you’re ready to have your own puppy, they will tell you what you can do. Good luck!
Hi, this is Ali from the article. I remember filling this out a long time ago at camp! I still go, and it is the highlight of my summer. This is so great! It brings back lots of old memories from my first few years at camp!
(P.S. My dog, Dixie, is a Dachshund, not a Corgi)
Thanks for the correction, Ali. I’ve made the change. Glad you remember our writing workshop fondly. So do I. : )
These were really good reasons and really helped me out on my reasons why a dog would be a good pet assignment.
i have two dogs. i did all the research on the dog i want but it still doesnt seem enough. we have enough room for a new dog. we have enough money. and time. but i still need more reasons
Hmm… If you’re still thinking you need more reasons, you probably don’t need another dog — at least right now. : ) More is definitely not always merrier.
I have been trying to get a dog for me and my sister but my mo said no! And i have been trying to talk her into it. I told her that i would buy the dogs and buy everything they need but she is always makes up excuses. PLEASE HELP!
Hi Cheyenne,
I really sympathize with your wish to have your own dog, but I’m sure your mom has her reasons. Take heart that maybe when you’re older, she may change her mind. If all else fails, know that when you grow up and have your own place, you can get yourself a dog. Good luck!
I want a dog so bad! These reasons will help, probably. Thanks!
I have a reason, but it’s not like everyone elses.
I want my dog because she’s from the blue cross, she’s nine years old and has three legs because she’s been hit my a car, she’s scared of traffic, and everyone who goes and sees her, says “she’s to old” or “oh she only has three legs” So my reason is to give a beautiful dog a home, full of love and attention, who will never be in a kennel again.
This info really helped me! im turning 13 august 26 , and i asked my mom for a bulldog puppy because i know EVERYTHING you need to know about dogs(how to take care of them,genetic health issues,how to treat health,how to do surgeries,etc) because im goingto be a vet. so i ahd a long talk with her and she decided to concider it! whenever she says that it means yess! im so exited,and today i topped it off with your 10 reasons- and she looked very pleaseddd.
thanks so much!
P.S- the only thing i dont know is where to get this special kind of kibble for bulldogs. ive heard about it but cant find it. can anyone help?
Vanessa, do you have the name of the brand of kibble? You can also look at this post on the best dog food brands.
thanks. im trying to get a dog but my mom keeps complainging about how shell have to buy food (WHICH IS ALL SHE HAS DO DO!!!) and she has too much stress in her life and blah blah blah blah teenage stuff.. so thxx
Thanks, this really helps!! My mom says we can get a dog when we find the right one, so im trying to learn everyhing i can!! I really want either an australian shepherd or a blue heeler.
My dog just recently passed away. I miss him soooo much. I actually just came in the house and thought, “Hey, this would be a GREAT time to play with Harley! Oh yeah…” So, i want another dog. My mom keeps saying no and giving all these dumb excuses. “DOGS HAVE HAIR! WE LEAVE THE HOUSE TOO OFTEN! (its called school…) and blah blah blah blah BLAAAAAABBY BLAH!!!!!! so yeah. I think these might help. THX:)
I am trying to decide whether to get a dog or not. Thanks for the reasons for getting one. I want a companion to interact with and I spend a good amount of time at home.
i have a dog.but i want a puppy.my dad only wants german shepards.but i want a golden retriever puppy real bad.what do i do?!
My dad says once i am out out of the house i can get a house BUT THATS TO LONG i’m only 8!
OOPS !!I MENT TO SAY WHEN I OUT OF THE HOUSE I CAN GET A DOG!!!!!!!OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPS
MAYBE THESE REASONS WILL CHANGE HIS MIND
Matt, you sound like you’re in a perfect position to add a 4-footed friend! Good luck.
Brooke, do your homework on goldens and find out all the reasons they make great pets. They’re usually a lot easier to have around if you have people coming into and out of your house — just for starters. : ) Good luck!
Thanks for the Advice. I am trying to convince my mother to get me a nice puppy dog!!!!!!! Thanks
thanks. im trying to convince my parents to get me a dog. im making a power point now with these reasons on it. hope it works. Thanks!
Good luck Nick!
These are all great reasons to get a dog i am eleven years i really want a dog for christmas and i am writing a persuasive essay to convince my parents to get me one.
Good luck Lily! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
I really want a dog…i have chosen a few, german shepherd, pit bull, a labrador, or maltese. I am willing to take care of any dog and be responsible for the dog and even pay for it and its food. I have a little brother that will help too. And i have done my research and found breeders in my area and gotten info on dog food and different types of dogs and gotten pictures of the puppy and adult version of dogs to see what i would be dealing with. But the only pet our family has ever had is a few fishes. And fishes are pretty low maintenance so it was pretty easy taking care of them and we had a pond for them to live in. But i want some pet (A DOG) to cuddle with and take for walks and raise. The thing is, my dad isn’t for it, and he says that a lot of kids get dogs and say that they will take care of them and then a month later they get lazy. He also says it takes a lot of money to raise a puppy/dog, almost like a kid. But i have a job so i don’t see the problem there. I have reasons to get a dog like, we have a big backyard, i have a job, i have extra time on my hands to take it on walks, there is a park across our street, and my brother and i are old enough and responsible enough to take care of it. But my dad just won’t say yes…what do i do now???
Deianeira, I really understand your desire! And I understand your dad’s concerns. Pets are expensive — figure between food and vet bills around $700-$1,000/yr. Maybe the way to convince your dad is to truly show him your dedication. You don’t say how old you are, but would you be able to volunteer at a shelter or a doggie daycare business where you would be around lots of dogs who need love and you would get great training on how to handle dogs?
There is a local pet shop that i have volunteered at before but my dad didn’t think anything of it, if anything he was glad i was around pets, just not at home. My dad likes pets but doesn’t want his own. He and my mom have had previous pets as children. I know he trusts me but he is just “ify” about the whole thing. He has told me that when i move out he will buy me a dog but thats like 5-10 years away (when i get married or something). But i want one now. I will try with the local pet shop again, and put in more hours and stuff like that and hopefully that might convince him just a little bit more, anything helps.
This may be a matter of persistence pays off. Think about trying at the local shelter and stick with it. Work with traing the shelter dogs so that you help them be more adoptable, and you learn a ton about training AND different types of dog breeds to help you know which one would really make a good fit for you. Eventually you will be able to have your dog, I’m sure of it. I just hope you don’t have to wait until you’re grown and have your own place. : )
Thats a good idea, i think i’ll try that! Thank you very much Karen ! :) i hope i get a dog before i’m grown up with my own place too!! I’ll let you know if i finally get a dog !
Yes, please keep me posted! I’m rooting for you!
Hi again, my dad says i have too much stuff going on in my life to volunteer at the local pet shop. I even exaggerated and said that i could put it on my resume (which i know i can) and that it would look good when i apply to university and stuff like that and he just said that i have too much stuff going on right now…so i don’t know what to do… i even put together a presentation on why i think i should get a dog, and i researched food and dog hotels and groomers and stuff like that and got all these prices and breeders where i live and i narrowed it down to the dog i want. but my dad just says no. Guess i just gotta wait a while until my life settles down a bit with all my activities
Deianeira, I can understand if your dad thinks you’re already too busy. Dogs need a lot of time and love, if you’re gone most of the time fulfilling your other obligations, maybe now is not the time. But the day will come when you can have your own dog. And I’m sure you’ll be a great dog mom!
I really want a dog but my mom wont let me!
I like all these reasons because they are really helping be with writing a persuasive essay to make my mom change her mind.