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PETS PERTS Answering questions about your four-footed family member EDITOR'S NOTE: Macon Magazine is happy to provide a forum for TailsSpin store owners, Jusak Yang Bernhard and Jeff Manley, who have offered to answer readers' questions about pet ownership and care. Send your questions to maconmag@maconmagazine.com or post them on the Macon Magazine Facebook page. TailsSpin is a pet store located in downtown Macon on Mulberry Street. Our column serves as a forum for providing information for the betterment of our pets. But always consult your veterinarian for extended discussions regarding your pets and being pet owners. We are interested in rescuing a dog from one of the local rescue places but we have no idea how to choose a dog that will work for us. Do you have any tips on how to choose the right dog? We have two kids who are 10 and 12, and we have never owned a pet. Thank you, Marie, Warner Robins This is such a great question, and it warms our hearts. We adopted our three dogs and they have become wonderful additions to our family. The benefits of being a pet owner are very rewarding. But introducing a pet to your family needs to be planned. It's a big responsibility. Make sure that you consider a budget for food, pet insurance and vet bills. Also, allot time for walking and training your pet. Make sure that your home is suited for a pet, such as having a fenced-in yard. Ovations365.com Adoption events are usually posted in the local newspaper. Every Saturday the newspaper has dogs that are available for adoption at local rescue agencies. You can also set up a time to visit the animal shelter and local rescue agencies. Also, visit the dog park and local pet stores. Research different breeds and learn about their temperament. Check out petfinder.com for adoptable pets in your area. You can do that from the comfort of your home while narrowing and focusing your options. Check with rescue agencies to see if there's a possibility to foster before fully committing to a certain pet. Petfinder.com will also provide ample information about adoption, including topics such as "choosing the right dog," "annual dog-care costs" and "first 30 days with a new dog." There are also books available on the subject of choosing the right dog for your family. 56 l Macon Magazine How important is it to give a dog two meals a day? My Chihuahua has stopped eating breakfast (well, maybe a few bites but not much) but loves dinner. Does it matter if I just feed her dinner? She is 3 years old. John, Macon It is suggested that it is better to feed your pets twice a day. Pets, like humans, need energy to function throughout the day. Consult with your vet to determine the ideal weight for your pet. As far as how much to feed, recommendations should be printed on the dog food bag. This guide usually is based on the nutritional value of the food and the weight of the dog. It usually is safe to go with the lower amount recommended by the dog food manufacturer. The manufacturer will want you to feed more, of course, so, you can go through the bags faster. Knowing your pet is key. You can adjust accordingly, individualizing the suggested feeding guide for your pet. For example, if your pet is very active, feeding more may be necessary; differences in seasons should also figure into how much to feed your pet; puppies or kittens should be fed more than adults; senior pets should be fed less. For bigger dogs, feeding twice a day will help avoid issues, such as bloating, etc. For smaller dogs, feeding only once a day is fine. For more information go to http://lovethechihuahua. com/index.php/chihuahua-dog-breed/feedingchihuahua april/MAy 2013