Several years ago, my family and I decided to adopt a dog. I was hesitant to add a new member to our household because I realized what an extra responsibility it would be for our family. After carefully searching several humane societies in our area, we finally found our dog, Copper. As soon as we brought Copper home, our family felt complete. Sure, he was extra responsibility and work, but he was also a wonderful companion and friend to everyone who entered our home. Even though I may have been hesitant at first to bring a new member into our family, I can say without question that adopting a dog was one of the best decisions we have ever made as a family. Copper was easily trainable. After several weeks, he was completely housebroken. We walked him on a leash for a short amount of time, and eventually he was outside running with the children without needing a leash. We were also successful in teaching him basic commands like sit, stay, and come without taking him to an obedience class. Our new dog was quick to build relationships with every member in our family. Although Copper was attached to my husband when he first arrived, we found after a few days that he really liked all four members of our family. Since his arrival, he has been a companion to my husband in the early hours of the morning before he leaves for work, he has helped tuck the children in each night, and he has become my television buddy once everyone is asleep, and the house is quiet. Some members of our extended family were not supportive of our decision to adopt a dog. They feared our young children were too irresponsible to help care for a dog. They also wondered if a dog from a shelter would be traumatized from its previous home or shelter environment and bring with it issues that simple training would not rectify. Thankfully, neither of those concerns have been issues with our family's experience. Our children have become more responsible since the arrival of our dog. Feeding and playing with Copper have become important and enjoyable