I do not tell other people what to do, about life or getting a dog, I do share what I do and I hope it is helpful.

I believe each of us needs to be his or her own guru, I am hardly infallible or all-knowing, as is obvious. What works for me may not work for you or be relevant in any way. You and I are different, just like our fingerprints or DNA.

There is no one way to get a dog, and no one way to think about getting a dog. My wish for you (and for me) is that we think for ourselves. So many good options, I never shut myself off from any of them.

Here are some of the questions I ask when I think of getting a dog:

1. Why do I want a dog? What is my need for another dog right now?
2. There are so many different kinds of dogs – big ones, small ones, Northern dogs, Caribbean dogs, Southern dogs, mutts and bred dogs, rescues and shelter  dogs, mellow dogs and frantic dogs. Which one appeals to me, and why? If I close my eyes, can I picture our life together?
3. What is the best place for me to find a dog? What makes me the most comfortable this time? Rescue? Breeder? Shelter? Friend or neighbor? I always get the dog I want to have, not the dog somebody else wants me to have. There are people in the world are just meant to rescue a need animal and bring it home, and are brilliant at it. A beautiful thing. There are people who have special needs and desires for their life with a dog and they may need to explore other choices, it is just as simple as that.
4. There is no one way.
5. Do I have the time and resources to care for a dog? Places to walk and exercise them, the time to care for them and get to know them, the money to pay for their health care and food? Dogs used to be free or cheap,  now they are expensive, even from shelters.
6. What can I learn about the dog? The breed characteristics if it’s a purebred or known mix. Any history of aggression? Food protectiveness? Unease around children? If possible, what was the mother like? The father? Any known health problems in the line? Cancer, bone and hip  issues?
7. What can I learn about me from this dog? How can this dog help me to be a better human? More patient, open, a better listener, a more loving human. Dogs are never about hating humans for me, quite they opposite. They have taught me how to love in so many ways.
8. How can I empower myself to get the dog I really want and not be cowed or pressure by the armies of know-it-alls that feed off of the animal world and social media? My own response is to be fully open about my choices, to trust people with training and expertise, to follow my heart. I never hide my decisions or thinking, even when I know some people will not like it.
9. I am quite prepared to take heat for my choices, it make me stronger and clearer.  If you’re not running for mayor, it really doesn’t matter what people say on Facebook or Twitter.
10. Can I remember to focus on what the dog needs, and not what I need? Can I understand dogs in a wise and mystical way?

Only once in my life have I gotten a dog without knowing anything about it, and it worked out well. It was not possible to do therapy work or other kinds of public work, there was too much about the dog I didn’t know. Lots of unknowable rescues make wonderful therapy dogs, I have seen many.

Getting a dog impulsively, or as a moral statement, or to feel better about myself  is not my preferred path. I ask a lot of my dogs and bring them a lot of places. I need to absolutely trust them and know where they came from.

When I heard about Leroy, I called my vet, asked about her experiences with the breed, e-mailed two breeders I have worked with, talked to three BT owners about their experiences, and then went online to study the breed and its characteristics. I don’t care to be surprised by a dog, to learn what the dog is really like after it comes to me.

I saw the breed characteristics, and knew this is a highly regarded therapy dog breed. Small, light, affectionate, happy to be held if socialized. Aggression in this breed is very rarely, especially among dogs that are well-bred.

That helped me decide. I talked with Maria, I said she had to be 100 per cent on board, and she was. My family rule is this: anyone in the family has veto power when it comes to bringing a live animal in the house. If somebody doesn’t want it, no questions asked, it doesn’t come.

Dogs have enough trouble without being resented. Once I get a picture in my mind of the dog I want, I go for it. I don’t care what other people say to me, or urge me to do or not to do. I want my dog. But this is after I do my homework, not before. This is important, because I bond with the dog even before I get it, and if you love a dog, a dog will love  you, and if you want a dog, a dog will want to be with you.

There is a practical part go getting a dog and an emotional part and both are important. We are entitled to get the dogs we want, we are far more likely to love them and treat them well if they are chosen carefully. To me, getting a dog in the proper way is a sacred task, and it has resulted in some wonderful dogs, as many of you know.

And I really believe this is true: I have great dogs not because I am wise or superior in any way. I believe I have wonderful dogs because I have taken some time to do it in the right way, not in minutes or on impulse or because of somebody else’s guilt trip. Hope this is useful.

Take what you need and leave the rest behind.