Adopting a Dog

Dear Readers,

I understand that most of us are dog lovers, and I understand some of us like to get our dogs from shelters. I think this is a GREAT idea. Not only do I think this is a great idea I often promote it myself on my face book page.

I'm going to give you some hints, tricks, tips to use when you get to the shelter to adopt.

• Go online first. Why? Then you can go to the shelter and see exactly what they want and find out exactly what they need. You'll know what information you need to bring with you. What you need to do to ensure you have an application in (if you can online), if you need a landlord permission slip or an okay from the owner of the home. You'll also know whether or not the animal is currently available or if you have to wait.

• Have references with you! Whether you are going to just look or you are going to bring home have references that the shelter can call. Why? You could be spending time with your pooch and they could be making phone calls to ensure you're not a psychopathic dog hoarder who has fifty of them in a one bedroom house.

• Research the breed. Danes are not outdoor dogs, Labs need lots of activity including long walks and mind stimulating games. Chihuahuas normally bond with ONLY one person in the family and ONLY that one. You need to know as much as you can about the breed BEFORE you choose to take it in.

• Know how much time you have. If you are going to get a dog, and its going to be there with you “furever,” you need to know how much time you realistically have for this dog. Do you work long hours? Do you have kids and irregular schedules? Do you have time to walk them/play with them/stimulate their minds? Really sit down and ask these questions. If your kids say “I can” and they're three they probably can't. Lots of people get frustrated because their sons/daughters REALLY want a pet – not only a dog but a cat or a gerbil or a mouse or a snake or a horton hears a who. They don't realize that there is a TON of responsibility in owning an animal and you can't slack off on taking care of them.

• Be prepared to take time for training classes. Remember these dogs have been in kennels, in runs, in and out of homes many times. They are most likely at fault. Sometimes owners get old, sometimes they are too busy, sometimes it was a Christmas present and suddenly in July the dog is as big as there bed. Whatever the reason you want to make sure you AND the dog take training classes.

• Understand that the personality of the dog at the rescue/shelter may not be the personality of the dog at home. The little timid Yorkie may be a wild man and want to play ALL the time. That Sr dog who was so happy to see you may need some time to adjust to your active lifestyle.

• Be prepared for accidents, incidents and LOTS of affection. If you weren't looking for a dog to be GLUED to your side for the first couple of days...consider this your warning. Dogs need consistency. They need routine, they need to know what to expect.

• Set rules and don't change them because the dog is soft and fluffy. If you want to kennel train them, then DO that. If you want them to sleep with you, be prepared if its a puppy for it to grow...a lot.

• Get a sticker you can put on your door, or on a window that says how many people you have in your house as well as how many pets. Why? If there is a fire, the firemen can KNOW you have pets. They'll be on the look out for those pets.

• Pet Insurance – if you're looking for a bigger dog and you KNOW that they're prone to bloat or bad knees, hip problems or hurting limbs than you NEED to get pet insurance. Why? It will be less expensive than getting slammed with a $5000.00 vet bill for Bloat.

• TALK to the people who work at the shelter/rescue. They will help MATCH you with your perfect pooch. You can tell them you work 2 hrs a day, you want something to go running with you, you don't need a guard dog, you have other pets ect and they WILL help you.

• Know your city laws. If they state you can't have a poodle, german shephard, chihuahuas, American Staffordshire Terrier, English Bulldog or anything in between you need to know. Why? Dogs can be taken and euthenized by the city if they're illegal. Then you're out a pet and these animals are no longer with the people they love.

I cannot say enough how much I advocate for people picking up pets out of shelters. These dogs may not be in there prime, they may be older, they may be less fluffy but they are STILL loveable. Look and don't make a last minute decision. Feel comfortable with your decision, talk to the staff, be honest with yourself AND them.

From my table to yours,

Mama Sam