Labor (Day) of Love

Many people are astonished when they hear we have 5 dogs. And even more astonished when they hear that we have 2 living inside - not to mention the fact that one is a Great Pyrenees. Questions I hear most often are:

1. How much dog food do you use a week? This varies with the seasons. In the Summer we use less, because they eat less due to the Georgia heat - but it averages out to about 50 pounds a week.
2. How often do you have to clean up poo? This too varies with the season, but I have found that many feed stores have foods that when converted to waste, will compost rapidly. But - as a general rule once or twice a week with the pooper scooper is plenty.
3. How can you afford so many dogs? This is a question I ask myself many times! We are lucky that our vet offers a multi pet discount, and we take advantage of the local Rabies clinics. And, we sacrifice things for our animals.
4. How do you control fleas and all the pet hair? This is an ongoing battle, but as with everything in life you take the good with the bad. We treat the yard, animals and house (if those pesky fleas invade). But, lets face it - even if there was only one, we would still have to do the same. And for the pet hair - a daily sweeping or vacuuming tends to be enough. The Great Pyrenees, Lulu, will only shed heavily once a year, and we have not had her long enough to experience that. But, brushing helps.
5. What do you do with them when you go out of town? Simple. We have a sitter. Way too many to board in a kennel - besides, I prefer them to stay in their own comfortable surroundings.

All these things are done without remorse. My feelings are we receive more than we give. They are our guardians, our friends and our companions. We owe it to them to prove ourselves worthy of their devotion.

On long weekends, like this one, its all the more special. I have time to do my regular weekend duties, and still have a whole day left. Thats one extra day I can devote my attention to them. Truly a Labor Day of love!