She blinked. "Hm? Oh! It's nice to meet you, Curt. I'm Alyssa." She smiled back at him as she walked down the hallway. She lead him down a few halls and into a back room. As soon as the door opened, the sounds of dogs barking filled the room. There were a lot of kennels in the room; some large, others small. Each one housed a dog or two inside and most of the ones barking were the larger breeds. Her brow twitched slightly with a bit of annoyance at the dogs. She'd never be able to hear his voice over all that racket.
"Shhh!" She stopped cold as she let out the hiss for quiet, one finger going over her lips subconsciously. It never did cease to amaze her when they actually listened to that command. The whole room went quiet. She put her hands on her hips, raising a brow as she looked around at the dogs in the cages. "...Never did understand how that always worked..." She muttered under her breath. After a moment, she turned to Curt and gave a light smile.
"Well, here we are. The first thing you should be aware of is how much work a pet is. Particularly dogs. Unlike cats, you can't just leave a dog to its own devices. They require training, exercise, grooming, and most importantly, love." Her expression became serious again as she spoke. Her voice remained gentle, but this was always the part that generally tended to get her convictions roused.
"A dog is a lot of responsibility. And furthermore, they're more like people than you might think. Dogs can be loyal, and they're probably the most faithful companion you'll ever find. They love you unconditionally, and deserve the same in return. So, depending on how much work you want to put in, will depend on the best breed for you to choose. If you don't mind a lot...and I do mean a lot of grooming, a longer haired dog would be good. However, consider the breeds closely. Another thing to keep in mind is the connection you have with a dog when you go to pick one out."
She paused for a few moments before continuing, letting all the information settle in. "Now that we're done with the warning, these are the main questions we need to ask in order to pair you with a good dog. First of all; how much time can you spend a day with the dog in hours? How active are you? Do you have a house with a yard or an apartment? Are you wanting a dog for a companion, an exercise partner, or a guard dog? What sort of activity are you looking for in a dog? Do you want one who's full of energy, one who's mellow, or somewhere in between? But most importantly.... Are you able to accept whatever dog you choose as a member of your family? Are you going to be able to love and care for your dog the way they should be? Dogs are like children. And the more they bond with you, the more they want to be with you. It's a bit like having a two year old for the next ten to fifteen years." She chuckled.
"I know it sounds like a lot, but they're really all important to finding the right type of dog for you."