Is there anything more wonderful than a puppy?  Playful, cuddly, funny, and oh that puppy breath. Call me crazy (you wouldn’t be the first), but if somebody could figure out how to bottle that stuff I’d keep ‘em in business. 

I can’t imagine my life without a dog or 2 or 3 in it.  If you’ve never owned a dog, or haven’t done so in a long while, and are considering adopting a furry friend, congratulations! 

But (yeah, you knew there had to be a “but”) before you give in to those sweet big brown eyes and puppy licks, remember there’s more to being a responsible dog owner than might be immediately obvious.

Did you know that a significant percentage of dogs found in shelters were put up for adoption by owners who chose the wrong dog for their lifestyle?  So there are a few things to consider.

Want to see exactly what it's like to help a puppy through its first year of life? Check out this week-by-week photo diary of a Boxer -- from 7 weeks to 1 year.

If you have a good stable home and are considering getting a dog (or perhaps a second or third dog), now is a great time to find an abundance of dogs at rescue shelters. Apparently, our struggling economy and the increasing number of home foreclosures have left many dogs homeless.

As people are losing their homes and moving into rental apartments, many are also leaving their dogs behind.  Some leave their dogs due to the fact that pets are not allowed in their new living arrangements.  Others leave their dogs because they can no longer afford to take care of them. 

Regardless of the reason people leave dogs behind, it is a fact that pets are the newest and probably most unfortunate victims of the foreclosure crisis. Fortunately, the lucky ones make their way into the animal shelters.

Telling the difference between a good dog breeder and a bad one is very important, especially if you want to purchase a puppy that is healthy, happy and designed to live the maximum amount of years for its breed.

Most people who want to purchase a puppy don’t think much of going to a pet shop, or even just looking in the newspaper for people who might be selling puppies. While both of these options can work for someone wanting to buy a puppy, there are also problems that can occur with both.

Ultimately, the best choice for someone wanting to purchase a healthy, happy, puppy is to choose a good dog breeder who knows what they are doing.

My grandmother raised and bred Pomeranians for years and I've heard some real horror stories about wannabe dog breeders who didn't know what they were doing. This resulted in puppies that developed health problems later, or animals that were kept in such poor conditions that they never really got completely healthy because they had such a bad start to begin with.

Here are 3 questions to ask when you're visiting dog breeders...

Looking for a dog rescue facility? Thousands of dog-lovers are!

Here are the top 30 dogs in need of rescue...

I am not a tax expert... just a dog lover at heart.

But, I found some interesting tax write-offs that some dog owners might be able to take!

I can't say it any better than these folks.

See why experts in the field agree... it's never a good idea to give a puppy as a gift, despite the fact that it may seem like the best thing to do.

Here are a few heartfelt stories, revealing why Christmas puppies are never a good idea:

Here is some good information to read before you decide to get a new puppy -- whether it be a rescued puppy that you think you'll be helping, or a new puppy from a pet store, a friend, or a breeder...