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    10. Make keeping your dog happy and healthy a top priority.

    Having a dog in the family will undoubtedly teach your children love and tenderness. Your senior dog will want just as much attention and affection as it did when it was a puppy. It's important to teach your children to be extra sensitive and caring to your dog's every need. Kids can learn so many lessons from having a childhood pet, including empathy and respect. They'll learn that making themselves happy isn't the only concern in the world, but that making other happy is just as important.