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Dog Articles & Tips October is Adopt-A-Dog Month October is known as “Adopt-A-Dog Month” and “Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month,” and although it’s not an official title, let’s add “Adopt-A-Rescue Dog Month.” As soon as you enter an animal shelter or look at the sweet faces listed on Petfinder.com and rescue organizations’ Websites, you will undoubtedly be tempted immediately to adopt. STOP! Please do not do that. NEVER bring a new pet home on an impulse! Every year, hundreds or thousands of dogs and other pets are brought into the home without much thought and are then neglected or abandoned after a while because the owners realize that caring for pets is more expensive and time consuming than they can handle. Time What’s the rush? If you think you and your family would like to bring a pet into your home, take the necessary time to research the issue and determine what is best for you and for a potential pet. Remember, dogs need a lot of mental stimulation, exercise, and training. One of the biggest reasons dogs end up in animal shelters is because they are destructive (chewing and tearing up everything from furniture, carpet, and walls to expensive leather shoes, clothing, and electronics; digging holes in the yard, etc.). The main reason for destructive behavior is boredom! Owners must commit a lot of time every day to their dog, even when they come home tired from working all day. Will someone be home during the day? Where will the dog stay when you’re not there? Will someone be able to come by and let the dog out for potties if you’re gone for several hours? Expense Can you afford the basic care and necessities for a pet? At the very least, dogs need a collar with name tag stating your phone number and/or address, walking harness, leash, crate, food bowl, water bowl, bed, brushes, combs, shampoo, conditioner, dog toothpaste (NOT human toothpaste!), toothbrush, and dog toenail trimmers. Those are just the basics. If you are lucky, the most you’ll see the veterinarian is for annual vaccinations and maybe the occasional minor illness. However, many pets and their people must deal with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, that requires the time and expense of daily medicine (shots, pills, or liquids) throughout the pet’s life, plus regular monitoring by the veterinarian. Other pets develop serious life-threatening illnesses (or injuries) that can require emergency care, a potentially long stay at a diagnostic animal hospital, endless lab, imaging, and surgical (endoscopy) testing, and veterinary specialists' fees. The bill can quickly run into the thousands of dollars. Many pet owners have to make a heartbreaking decision in these situations if they absolutely cannot afford the care. If they cannot find a family member or friend who can help with the financial aspect, then the owner’s best option is to try to find a rescue organization, such as Small Paws Rescue, that will take legal ownership of the dog and pay for its care. Let’s not even mention the final option. Life Changes Adopting a companion animal is a major commitment that will affect your lifestyle for many years. With good care, healthy dogs can live to be 15 years or older. Cats can live to be 18 years or older. Where will you be in 15 to 18 years? We cannot predict the major changes that happens in everyone’s lives such as marriage, children, divorce, job loss, children growing up and going to college only to leave “their” pet behind with you. Are you willing to devote spending the time, energy, and money to care for your pet during the turbulent times as well as the good times? What will you do if your spouse or children can’t get along with the pet? What provisions will you make for your pet if you die? What experiences have you had with past pets? What will happen if you must move to a rental property or apartment? Another one of the most common explanations given when owners leave their pets at a shelter or with a rescue group is that they are moving and their new landlord will not allow pets. If you do find a place that will accept pets, you must pay an up-front pet deposit and will be responsible for any damages your pet causes. If your dog likes to bark, your neighbors will complain to the landlord or apartment manager who might threaten to kick out you or your dog. These are just a few of the questions and issues you should go over before deciding to adopt. If, after long and careful consideration you decide that a pet is right for you and your family, you need to learn as much as you can about different breeds or mixes in which you are interested. Visit your local library or bookstore to find books that can help guide you to the type of dog that matches your personality, lifestyle, expectations, and other needs. Keep in mind the following during your search: Is the breed/mix good with children or teenagers? What is the grooming and exercise needs (can be a major time commitment)? Is the breed hyperactive? Nervous? Does the breed need a home in which someone will be home much of the time? What are the expected personality/character traits? Level of intelligence? Is it easily trained? What is the average lifespan? Do you want a young dog, or would you be happy with an older dog? What are the inherited health issues of the breed? A Generic Guide to Size Small dogs are best suited for older kids as their size makes them vulnerable to injury from the physical roughhousing smaller kids may subject them to, and their bones can be easily broken when accidentally stepped or fallen on. They need limited exercise so they make good companions for the elderly and/or people in small living spaces. Because they are low to the ground they can be subject to respiratory infections, so be careful to keep them in warm dry environments. Most small dogs should be mostly or completely inside dogs. Medium dogs should have access to yards. It is best to live in a house if you want your medium sized dog to be happy and free from boredom. Medium dogs are better suited to young children as they are hardier and less defensive. Any of the large breeds will need two requirements: lots of space and a strong person to handle them. Many large dogs are gentle and loyal but do need a firm hand in training and walking. They also need a lot of food and are expensive to have groomed. Make sure you can handle the cost and physical demands of a large dog before you get one. Rescue groups and animal shelters should be your only consideration for adopting a pet. NEVER BUY A PET FROM A PET STORE, A NEWSPAPER AD, OR OVER THE INTERNET! http://www.prisonersofgreed.org/ http://www.puppymillrescue.com/ http://www.awarenessday.org/dogs.html
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