Before you get a dog
BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 1 month AGO
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March 2023, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. | September 7, 2023 12:00 AM
Dr. Lowell Tyler, DVM, offers the following advice to consider before getting a dog:
Find out what you want, and get a pet that fits your needs. He used a popular breed – the labradoodle – as an example: “Do you have the time to exercise a dog who’s got two hunting breeds in his DNA? Can you afford grooming?”
Border collies are considered the smartest dog. “Are you ready for a dog that’s smarter than you?”
People who travel frequently might want to consider getting a cat.
People who are petite or over 65 should not get a great dane.
A pet is at least a 15-year commitment. Some dogs live until they’re 20, which you never used to see, Tyler said, because people are taking better care of their animals.
Don’t think a spay or neuter is too expensive at $200, especially considering you’ll spend $10,000 on dog food throughout your dog’s life.
ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS
NRA Finals rodeo brings cowboys and cowgirls to town
The Northern Rodeo Association Finals are on this weekend, Oct. 22-24, at the Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell. Rodeos start at 6:30 p.m. each night with the doors opening at 5:45 p.m.
Ronan City Council hires grant manager for Friends of the Children project, continues wastewater project work
At the business-packed Ronan City Council meeting Oct. 14, Ronan city attorney Clif Hayden reviewed the Friends of the Children grant administration contract, project administration plan, interlock agreement, and the city’s contract with the Montana Department of Commerce, taking questions from council members as he went through the documentation.
Mission Valley barrel racers compete in Great Falls
More than 280 barrel racers converged at Montana ExpoPark in Great Falls from Oct. 2-4 for the state finals of the Montana Barrel Horse Association, including several Mission Valley riders.