Janet and I picked up Rhuby and Shep at the vet’s in Westport this morning where they’d been overnight after having been spayed and neutered respectively. Rhuby had a large uterus, apparently, and her sutured incision is quite long. Shep’s nad removal required only about a 3/4 of an inch slice which he already seems to have forgotten all about. Rhubarb’s stitches run three layers deep and are a bit more serious, so we have to keep them separated and aptly monitored for a good 10 days or so. No jumping, no horse play, no swimming, no baths, no offleash outside frolicking – no fun. This is not going to be an easy set of rules to try and enforce.
Now that the deed is done, a little bit of guilt has crept in. I find myself wondering exactly what the benefits of a fixed pet are over and above people telling me that it’s a “good idea”. Here’s what I’ve learned tonight…
What fixing a dog does:
- Simply put, it eliminates hormone-driven behaviors.
- Eliminates a dogs need to fight with other dogs over potential mates.
- Helps curb the need to mark territory or to advertise ‘availability”.
- Helps dogs remain focused during training instead of looking around for a female in heat, etc.
- Makes it less likely for the animal to develop many types of cancer and other diseases.
What fixing a dog does not:
- Neutering does not affect physical or mental development.
- It does not automatically make dogs fat and lazy.
- It does not make dogs less protective of you or your property.
I think I feel better now, to be honest. Here’s a question to all you dog owners: Have I missed any thing on my list? Are you for or against the fixing of man’s best friends? I think i’m leaning towards the “unless you’re planning to breed them, snip the little fuckers” camp. 10/10 mail carriers agree.