Q: There are two sweethearts in my life besides my wife and three daughters. They are my two pit bull terriers, Spanky, a black and white male going on 5 years old, and Tyson, a slightly smaller brown and white terrier who is 3. Tyson was neutered when he was very young. However, Spanky never had the operation. He is not aggressive and very well-adjusted.
I have spoken to several doctors who advise me to have the procedure, but I don't want to hurt or traumatize my dog at his age. Is it possible to share any opinions you may have in helping me to make this important decision. Many thanks for your interest and wisdom.
A: Neuter your dog. Dog Lady sides with the doctors. Overall, it would be better for you to snip Spanky and better for the planet since pet overpopulation hurts all creatures great and small.
Although Spanky seems happy and well-behaved, you never know when the hormones will kick in to high gear and the pit bull will act out aggressively according to instinct. Neutering your dog is the only responsible thing to do.
We anthropomorphize our pets. We imagine they have human feelings about these things. Men, especially, wince when they think of neutering their male dogs. Trust Dog Lady. Spanky will never know what hit him — or snipped him. The neutering procedure is an easy outpatient surgery at the veterinarian's office. Spanky will be a trifle tipsy afterward from the anesthesia, but once he sleeps it off, your dog will be a better-adjusted animal.
Spanky is in the prime of life at 5 years old. It is inhumane to keep him un-neutered in surroundings that do not encourage his frisky instincts. He has the hormonal drive to do what comes naturally. Do you want this pit bull misdirecting sexual energy into predatory pursuits? Of course not. Neutering your dog will help him stay sane in body and mind.
Q: My boyfriend has a 9-year-old dog, Angie, that he loves very much and has had since she was a puppy. The dog sleeps with him, except when I'm around, and then the dog sleeps on the floor right next to the bed. The dog wakes us up in the middle of the night about every three nights and I can't fall back to sleep. It is taking a toll on my health, but my boyfriend refuses to tell the dog to sleep in a separate room. Am I cruel to want to put the dog in another room when we're sleeping or being intimate? At this point, I'm beginning to hate the dog. It feels like there are no boundaries.
A: Sorry to have to be the one to tell you this: Angie is the other woman right under your nose. Yes, yes, it's ridiculous to think a dog would come between you and your guy. You have to love a dog to understand.
The best way to cope with this is to be of good humor and be less available. Catch up on your sleep at your own place. Make him miss you. Never grumble about Angie because such complaints will only drive your guy away. Loving him means tolerating his dog.
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