You need a puppy in your life. A sweet, bouncy, mischievous puppy with liquid brown eyes that look at you with love and complete trust. That's exactly what you need, and, lucky you, Macon Animal Control has several to choose from this week.

While the arguing goes on among humans over the conditions at the rundown animal control shelter, the kennels and cat cages filled up, as usual.

If you are planning to adopt a pet (and we hope you will adopt and not buy your new friend), take some time to do a little research, first.

Many breeds have specific traits. Dachshunds are often diggers, because they were bred to dig up and kill badgers and other burrow-living animals. Herding dogs such as Australian shepherds and cattle dogs, like to herd things. This may include your children or your other pets!

Working breeds need a job to keep them busy, whether fetching the newspaper and your slippers or showing their stuff on an agility course.

Basset hounds and beagles often bay rather than bark, and they do so quite loudly.

Many of the active breeds will not be happy spending hours every day in a crate, and are unlikely to want to become couch potatoes. Look for calmer breeds if you live a sedentary lifestyle.