B EFORE Y OU R EAD Gavin Maxwell lives in a cottage in Camusfearna, in the West Highlands in Scotland. When his dog Jonnie died, Maxwell was too sad to think of keeping a dog again. But life without a pet was lonely... Read what happened then, in Maxwell’s own words.
Activity Do you have a pet? If you do, you perhaps know that a pet is a serious responsibility. Read in the box below what the SPCA — the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — has to say about how to care for a pet. Owning a pet is a lifetime of commitment (up to ten years or more if you own a dog or a cat) involving considerable responsibility.
The decision to acquire one, therefore, should be made by the whole family. Without full agreement by everyone, the pet could end up unwanted. Puppies and kittens are so adorable, it is easy to understand why adults and children alike would be attracted to them. Unfortunately their cute looks are often a disadvantage, because people purchase them without consideration and the knowledge on how to take proper care of them.
The basic points you should keep in mind before adopting a puppy are: • an annual dog licence in accordance with government regulations • its annual vaccination against major diseases • toilet training • regular grooming and bathing • obedience training • don’t forget you should feed your pet a balanced diet • socialisation (many dogs are kept confined in cages or tied up to stop them from dirtying the garden or from chewing on shoes — this is wrong) is very important • a daily dose of exercise, affection and play. Imagine someone has gifted you a pet. With your partner’s help, make a list of the things you need to know about the pet in order to take good care of it. One has been done for you.
(i) The food it eats. (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Otters are found in large numbers in the marshes (i.e. wet areas near lakes, rivers or seas)