I have read this entire thread and I understand how everyone feels. I personally don't believe in leaving a dog outside all the time -- regardless of the size. When I lived at home, my parents had a male German Shepherd named Blacky. He was the heart of our family. My parents feed him premium food, gave him monthly heart worm pills and took him to a groomer to have a bath and his nails trimmed every 6 weeks like clock work. My parents spent $3,000 on Blacky when he needed 2 tumors in his stomach removed. He was pampered and spoiled and loved until the end when my parents had to put him to sleep because of old age (15) and cancer. Blacky was allowed in the front yard during the day. There was a HUGE padlock on our gate so my parents were never afraid of Blacky getting out or being stolen. My mom had a big doggie door so that Blacky could come and go in and out of the house as he pleased. They also bought a baby pool and a sand box for him to play in. And my parents to this day mourn his loss and they still keep framed pictures of him around the house. He was my dad's best friend and he saved my mom's life from a fire in her laundry room. They both always get misty eyed whenever we talk about him. I have so many pictures of me and my sister as little babies kissing him and laying next to him. He was a gentle giant, a beautiful family member. |