Kids COLORWORKS STUDIO OF INTERIOR DESIGN "Mom, Dad, Can We Get A Dog?" Getting a pet is a big responsibility, but the rewards are more than milkbones. JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER AA As we begin our 18th year, we thank you for making our studio your preference for excellence in interior design, new construction expeilise, fine furnishings & efficient service. We look forward to working with you as we continue to grow! a 32500 Northwestern Highway • Farmington Hills • 851-7540 III Attention! • Home Owners • Builders • Designers • Architects • Decorators Add Beauty & Dimension... SAVE 30%* on Mirrored Bi-Fold Closet Doors By Our Mirror Design & Installation Specialists For Your Free Estimate or Consultation Call Our Custom Experts at: 810353-5770 And Visit Our Southfield Showroom at: GLASS A Clear Reflection of Quality 29 , 73 Telegraph Road Since 1964 (South of 9 Mile Road) fora limited time, with this ad! Is Your Financial House In Order?? T HE DE TRO To find out call 114 PHASE FOUR Certified Financial Planning Professionals (810) 559-6980 JOEL LEVI, CFP TRISH VVELLMAN, CFP 17117 West 9 Mile Road, Southfield, Ml 48075 Phase Four Advisory, Registered Investment Advisor Securities offered through Vestax Securities Corporation, Member, NASD & SIPC, 1931 Georgetown, Hudson, 01 , 44236 (216) 650-1660 fter a year of begging and pleading, Andrew and Cara Deutchman finally talked their parents into getting a dog. "The kids convinced me they absolutely wanted a dog, and I agreed on a small, non-shedding puppy," Cathy Deutchman said. "We ended up getting a miniature schnauzer. But, before we agreed, the kids promised they would walk and feed the dog. "My husband is up early so he feeds Rex his morning meal. But if the dog is going to eat dinner, it's not going to be my husband or myself feeding him." Surprising to most parents who have found or find themselves in the 'Can we get a dog?' predica- ment, Cara, 11, and Andrew, 15, who have had Rex for four years, still take care of him regularly. Other parents would do any- thing to know the Deutchmans' secret. In reality, it's usually mom or dad who ends up handling the pet responsibilities. "I'm not sure why it is," Ms. Deutchman said about her suc- cess. "They just know if they don't do it, it's not going to get done." "Parents have to realize that probably the ultimate responsi- bility will fall on them," said Steve Selfon, a veterinarian at the Road- side Veterinary Clinic in Highland Township. "They will be the ulti- mate supervisor." Veterinarians, psychologists, and perhaps the best expert of all — parents — agree children and pets can be a worthwhile combi- nation. But anyone, adult or child, has to realize it's a responsibility. "Owning a pet is a family af- fair," said Dr. Hillel Rosenfeld, a psychologist who works for Oak- land County's children's mental- health program and in private practice. "It's a family responsi- bility, but often it will default to the primary caretaker of the home. That's why I might start of with fish or something small. It's an incremental learning experi- ence." Cara Deutchman agrees Rex is a big chore, but she does it because "that was the only way we could get a dog." David Fink, owner of Pet Sup- ply Warehouse in Dearborn, con- firms there are no magic answers to handling the responsibility is- sue. "It's good to try and teach kids Dr. Selfon suggests parents ex- responsibility (through pets), but pose their children to other peo- whether it's possible or not de- ple's pets to see how the child pends on the kids, the parent and reacts and interacts with the an- the pet." imal. Once a family makes the deci- "Parents cannot expect their 5- sion to bring a pet into their home, or 6-year-old to handle a large deciding on what kind of animal dog," Dr. Selfon said. "A dog can takes careful consideration. Some tell by the grip on its leash what experts agree Labrador or golden to expect. It's not unreasonable to retrievers make the best pets for ask a young child to feed, provide families with young children. water or brush the dog, but be- They say the dogs' non-aggressive yond that, a dog probably will not behavior makes them ideal. Oth- listen because of lack of strength ers say there is no such thing as in holding the leash or or in the the right pet. voice." "The best pets are the ones the He also warns against owning entire family wants," said Dr. An- exotic pets with young children drew Dworkis of the Pet in the house. Some Practice. "Size, shape, snakes, he said, can and type are a matter of The be st pets scare a child, and igua- are the o nes the preference. Dogs are one nas require special han- of man's best pets, but if entire fam ily wants, dling because of their accordin g to Dr. a family is not around a claws. Owners of par- Andrew Dworkis. lot, its the wrong pet for rots or other large birds that family." also need to be cautious