Before you get a dog
BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 11 months 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
Dirt flies for the groundbreaking of Mission Valley Ice Arena
The first shovels of soil marked the groundbreaking for the Mission Valley Ice Arena after ten to 12 years of fundraising.
Cruisin’ by the Bay brings classic cars to Polson
Smoke veiled the Missions, but it didn’t discourage car buffs from bringing their prized autos to Cruisin’ by the Bay, the Mission Mountain Cruisers’ annual show. Car lovers didn’t stay home either; they gathered and discussed their favorites, peeked at the engines, sometimes even looked at the suspension.
Ronan Pioneer Days offers plenty of Horsin' Around
Horsin’ Around was the theme for the 2026 Ronan Pioneer Days, held last weekend. While there were a few horses involved, there were lots of humans at play during the three-day event.