Can dogs and kids get along together? Well, perhaps if you've been one of those fortunate people to have spent your childhood growing up alongside a well cared for dog, you will understand just how close a relationship can be forged between a child and her dog.
You will also be aware of the lasting contribution that your dog had in your own personal growth in to a well-adjusted adult.
Perhaps what follows will echo your own childhood experience? Your parents were the thoughtful type.
They didn't rush in to things; they did their homework before getting your puppy.
They quickly recognised that they would need to find a breed of dog whose temperament would be best suited to the rough and tumble world of children.
Locating a knowledgeable breeder was the next step.
A breeder who was responsible enough to know that temperament is the foundation stone of a breed.
The first thing your puppy taught you was to be kind: You quickly recognised, through your parent's tutoring, that a dog doesn't think in the same way that we do.
They react to events instinctively.
If a dog is abused, or if he feels threatened, he will react to that in an instinctive way.
He'll either flee, or he'll try to protect himself.
Your parents were wise enough to let you go on to train and socialise your new puppy, teaching him all about the nature of our world.
This helped you to learn your first important lesson in life: That in order to be loved-you must give love.
Your next important lesson was in patience, and having the determination to overcome difficulties: You began by watching, at first from the sidelines, as your parents taught your puppy his first lessons about the world of humans.
You saw him get things wrong, and you watched as your parent's kindness and patience, and the sheer persistence of your dog to reward those qualities, eventually paid off.
It wasn't too long before you were teaching your puppy, and the bond of trust and mutual respect grew throughout your early years together.
You were quick to understand that your dog's upbringing reflected your own triumphs and failures, during your formative years.
As you grew older you came to realise what an important set of lessons you had learnt, when you began to teach your own children about the world of dogs.
You now understand that your sense of responsibility had its roots in your relationship with your dog.
It wasn't easy.
The times that you neglected his walk, when you was late in feeding him, when you didn't always greet him.
Okay, you knew that your parent's were there backing you up.
But now you know that responsibility is a learnt behaviour, and that your dog's real gift to you was the part he played in forming the person that you have now become.
Perhaps the greatest lesson that your dog taught you was about being caring.
Your wise enough now to know that you wouldn't get a puppy when your situation determines that you can't socialise, train, or care for it properly.
You recognise that a puppy isn't just another commodity that you can throwaway once the initial shine has worn off.
You understand that teaching your children how to behave towards your dog is just as important as how you train your dog.
In that way dogs and kids will always get along; all it takes is a little bit of understanding.