The Internet

Make no mistake:  I love the Internet.  The infinite opportunities to learn and explore totally fascinate me.  I am known to "waste" -- I don't see it as that, but others do -- hours a day simply messing around online, going wherever the Internet chooses to lead me.  Today I've learned about the recent happenings of my family via Facebook, considered both the ethics behind the death penalty and the power parents have to influence their children on 5/8, read some very interesting articles on National Geographic's website, hilarious misfortunes on FML, and tons of other things.
The only problem is that I'm supposed to be working on homework.  Today, I am supposed to write a reader response to "Cairo Tunnel" by Amanda Fields.  Then, I'm supposed to compose two lyric essays of my own.  Between my lack of self control and the various websites that draw me like a fly to a bug zapper, I haven't gotten anything done today.  
The Internet is a dangerous place for the would-be writer, especially when they are feeling uninspired to begin with.  I've written more in this short blog post than I have all day.  Too bad I can't turn this in.  It would fall into the creative nonfiction category, but this isn't a lyric essay.  Oh well.

The Bichon Frise and Why This Breed Rocks!

Let me start off by saying that I firmly believe that when one chooses to adopt or purchase a dog of any breed, it is a serious commitment and should not be taken lightly.  One should thoroughly research multiple breeds of dogs to decide which one is best for him or her.  All dogs deserve loving homes, but it is easier for both the dog and the owner if the owner has a thorough understanding of what to expect of his or her new addition to the family.

That being said, I believe the bichon frise is a great choice for a wide variety of prospective dog owners.  I have owned bichons for the last ten years or so, and they have by far outshone any other breed my family has ever had.

The pros:

1. Bichons are small, compact dogs.  According to Animal Planet, they can weigh anywhere from 10-16 pounds once full grown. 
2. They are very intelligent and easy to train.  I used clicker training with my bichon, and she caught on quite quickly.  Just be careful not to give the same sequence of commands over and over.  Mequa memorized the sequence ("sit, stay, lie down, sit, touch") and would go through the whole routine on her own before I could give the second command.  Of course, it didn't take long to cure her of this, but it was hilarious and endearing to see how eager she was to please (or perhaps get a treat).
3. Believe it or not, bichon frises are HYPOALLERGENIC.  In other words, if you are allergic to dogs, you probably will be just fine around bichons.  This is because they have hair, not fur.
4. Bichons also NEVER SHED... another big plus for the one who has a neat freak for a roommate.
5. Bichons are some of the most loving dogs I've ever met, and are content to do just about anything, any time.  Mequa, for example, is equally happy to play a game of fetch outside or sleep beside me while I read for hours on end. My other bichons were like this as well.  The main thing for them seems to be chilling with their mom or dad.
6. Bichons make great watchdogs.  You will not have to worry about any surprise visits from obnoxious relatives because the minute they set foot on your property, your bichon will let you know.  This doesn't mean they are aggressive or in any way a dog that should be used for protection.  They just make excellent alarm systems.
7. Bichon frises have wonderful temperaments and socialize easily with both humans and other animals.  It is important to note, however, that they should be monitored when with small children.  I say this more for the dog's sake than the child simply because small children don't always understand that they could be hurting their new friend.

The cons:

1. Though bichons have beautiful coats, they can be a hassle to keep up.  Unless you plan on brushing them every day, I recommend keeping their coats fairly short.  I keep Mequa shaved, partly because I don't have the time to brush her, but also because she spends a lot of time outside and the longer hair tends to bring stickers and cactus into the house.  Oh the joys of country living.
2. This breed is also prone to dental problems.  Unless you want your vet yelling at you for plaque buildup, be sure to brush your dog's teeth regularly and/or schedule routine cleanings at your vet.

As I said before, choosing the right dog for you is an important decision and a lot of thought should be put into it.  The bichon frise makes an excellent companion for both single owners and families alike. They work well in a variety of settings, spanning from a tiny apartment to multiple acres in the country.  If you ask me, I recommend the bichon frise 100%.

Mequa, my four-year-old bichon frise.