I began reading the article titled ”Bend has taken dog loving to a new level” expecting the article to be light-hearted and start my day with a smile. It was quite different, however, and I found my hackles rising. I am a dog lover, not one that takes massage classes for my dog, but one that feels that my animals are part of my family. My kids play soccer and my dogs go to the dog park, so I have to say I stop short of ”dog scouts.”

I also happen to be a veterinarian, board certified in internal medicine. I’ll bet David Jasper has no idea that the same pets that get to achieve family status also can develop serious illness like any family member. Mr. Jasper would likely be aghast to know that many people will choose advanced veterinary care such as complex diagnostics, intensive care, specialized surgeries, radiation therapy and chemotherapy for their pets rather than the old ”it’s sick, just kill it” approach.

There are a few points in Mr. Jasper’s article that I think he may have thought of as cute that may very well be found offensive to his readers, particularly when he states ”if you are an adult dog owner who calls your pets your kids … some might suggest there is a void in your life miniature humans could fill.”

Well, Mr. Jasper, many of my clients have tried for many years to have the ”pitter patter” of bipedal feet around, without success, and the animals have filled a very real void in their lives. These people that wish they had human children know that their pets (most often dogs and cats) are not humans.

However, they provide them with unconditional love (also a reciprocal relationship), another being to care for, and a feeling of being needed – things all humans need (except, perhaps, for you, Mr. Jasper, as you well implied).

I have to agree with your colleague’s statement about ”the black hole where your heart should be” – or did you just think he/she was being funny?

You make a statement that I hope was in jest: ”In many ways children are just like dogs, only they are capable of speech and slightly more trainable.” Wow! I must disagree with that one! Having two children and three dogs of my own, they are nothing alike.

For me, my children are loved with a depth that those people without children will unfortunately not quite be able to know.

Through this love and dedication your children grow and challenge you. Dogs that you love, you do so with the sincerity and depth of a best friend, a strong and real bond. Dogs love their people unconditionally, without judgment, with a purity of heart and loyalty, qualities that many people may be able to take a lesson from.

As far as family life goes, dogs and cats are great additions to a family with children and help to teach children compassion, responsibility and allow another avenue of love to come into and out of a child’s heart. All of those things are nothing but positive. Yes, every dog family snickers at how good the pooch may have it, how we feed them on demand, we poop-scoop the yard, we pay their vet bills, we scratch their tummies. The amount that these spirited animals bring to our lives goes so far beyond the mundane that most will say ”it’s a trade off I would make time and again for my best friend.”

Mr. Jasper, I hope your children do get the great fortune of having a dog in the family.

Before you make that step, please do your homework on dog care and realize that there may be expenses associated with dog ownership above the license fee and added responsibilities for you and your family. You may be surprised by the love your children, and perhaps you, will develop for your dog.