MOSTLY MUTTS

Best questions to ask before deciding on dog ownership:

Why do you want a dog?

Is it because they’re “cute”, your favorite celebrity has one or your kids really, really, really want one? These reasons can all lead to one BIG mistake. Adding a dog to your family should be a lifelong commitment and the dog’s lifetime could easily be 15 or more years. Make it a well thought out responsible decision. Dog adoption is a serious choice.

Do you have time for a dog?

Dogs require a lot of quality time. If you work long days, are tired at the end and just don’t feel like it, that is never an excuse. The dog still needs fed, groomed exercised and lots of companionship. Do you have good plans for who will care for your dog while you are on vacation or slipping away for a weekend trip? A friend, relative or kennel will need to be lined up.

What about your living arrangements?

Many rentals and communities either ban or restrict dog ownership. Do you have an outdoor space for your dog to play and burn off excess energy? If not, are you prepared to devote time to frequent dog walks?

Can your finances support dog ownership?

The cost can add up quickly. Many people don’t think about all the expenses involved. These include: license fees, Vet. bills, grooming, food, toys, training and the possible cost to repair any items your dog may destroy. Which leads to another consideration.

Are you prepared for the unexpected?

Are you prepared for chewing of household items and personal belongings, furniture and floor scratches, piddle, puddle and poo accidents on your nice carpet or shiny hardwood floors?

Do you freak out if your house is not perfect at all times?

Dogs can be messy. They don’t pick up their toys, wipe their paws or exercise any caution around breakable items. And the fur and dust does accumulate.

Anyone in your home have allergies?

Shedding dogs will aggravate this. There are breeds of dogs that are considered hypoallergenic or non-shedding but even those dogs can wreak havoc with a person that is very sensitive.

Think about any major future plans.

Having a baby or moving. Might want to wait till after these things happen to adopt your new dog. Some dogs are better with children than others.
Once the new baby has arrived, there are ways to help assure that the dog and baby are good roommates.

Finally, are you willing to make a forever commitment to your dog?

To be there when he needs you , even though it may be inconvenient, expensive and messy?

This dog adoption checklist can only serve as a guide. If you are sure about dealing with all these considerations and your commitment to see them through, dog adoption may be for you. You will have a very valued and dedicated friend in your new family addition.

Check here for further help in selecting just the right dog for you and your family.

Consider dog adoption when bringing a new pet into your family.Shelters such as the ASPCA, Humane Society and local dog rescue groups are usually overflowing with dogs needing homes.

Each day an astronomical number of dogs are put to death in shelters. The vast majority of these animals are loving gentle creatures that would be a welcome addition to any family. In fact,dog-adoption many of them were once in a family that could not or did not choose to keep them.

We have become such a throwaway society and unfortunately that mentality has extended to these helpless living beings. Can you imagine going from being a member of a family, running and playing with your favorite kids, to being confined in a small cage, hoping for even the smallest acknowledgment from someone passing by? This is an all too familiar scenario played out in shelters daily.

Some shelters are truly wonderful. They are no-kill and do their best to provide plenty of food, water, shelter and love. But, even these shelters can only do so much. And, they cannot take the place of a loving forever family of one’s own. Many have limited resources, both financial and human. Please support these deserving groups with your donations of time and money as well as spreading the word about their good works.

The ASPCA, Humane Society of the United States and Best Friends are all wonderful examples on a national level. Dog adoption is a top priority. There are also many regional and local groups run by compassionate people that selflessly devote their time and resources to make life better for homeless and neglected animals.

Unfortunately,for every good shelter, there are many more undesirable ones. Many of these lack the funding and even the compassion to do better. Also, many are supported by local government funding and thus are restricted by guidelines which include the number of animals that can be housed at any one time. Without space, something has to
happen.

And that something is usually euthanasia – a term simply referring to being put to death. Sugarcoating it as ‘being put to sleep’, is simply that, sugarcoating. Some people deal with their guilt that way but plain and simple, it is killing a helpless creature often because they have become a bother. Euthanasia methods range from decompression chambers and gas to lethal injection. Even the injection, which is by far the most humane, is not without it’s cruelties. The dog is scared, alone and unloved in it’s last moments. A creature with so much capacity to love is not allowed that luxury in it’s final moments on earth.

If you are thinking of adopting, take a look at our dog adoption checklist, then visit your local shelter. There you will find an enormous selection of new best friends. Whether you decide on a small dog, medium dog, large dog or even one of the extra large dog breeds, you can find them through a dog rescue group. Give one of these wonderful shelter dogs a new chance at life and add a blessing to your family.

MAKE DOG ADOPTION YOUR OPTION.