Manila Bulletin

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The do’s and don’ts of being a Dog’s new friend

By Richard Leo Ramos

Ever since my childhood, our house always had many canine companions. They were seen as both family members and as protectors. Be they Shih-tzus or German Shepherds, they were all loved and taken care of as best as we could.

Later, we made sure that all puppies born in our household grew up with us as part of our family before we sent them to those who would love them as much as we did.

Because of my background, some people thought that I would know how to handle all sorts of Dogs, that they would naturally like me. But the truth is, having so many fur babies – up to 18, at one point – only made me more careful when it came to approaching and trying to befriend Dogs not from my family.

And that brings us to the inevitable question: If even a person who has grown up with many furry family members has a hard time approaching new canines, how exactly does one befriend a new, unfamiliar Dog?

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