New Pet Endeavors
Nine years ago when we were thinking about adding a new dog to the family, we wanted to get a mixed breed dog -- hoping to avoid many of the horrific health and behavior problems in many of the purebreds. At that time, bookstores carried very few, if any, books on mutts or shelter dogs. I asked one clerk at our largest bookstore where they were and she checked and couldn't find any either. “I guess people only want to buy books about dog breeds” she mused.
Well -- a lot has changed in nine years! Our library has always had a sufficient collection of materials on “adopted dogs,” or “shelter dogs” or “rescue dogs,” but now we have tons of them, as does every bookstore in town.
Mutts are in! The mystery mixed dog is cool! Hollywood has taken them to heart, and many additional public and private rescue missions feature these wonderful mixes.
So, if you are carefully considering adopting a dog this spring, you're in luck -- there are plenty available! Dog rescue groups abound in our area. Find your special someone online at Petfinder.com.
Adopting a dog older than nine months rather than a puppy has many advantages. For example, what you see is what you get to an extent: size, health, temperament -- these things are apparent in an animal who has reached pretty much 90% of his grown size. We adopted a 6-week-old “beagle mix” 9 years ago who grew more into a Rottweiler or boxer mix at his lean 92 pound one year size. Who knew?
So! Caveat emptor! (let the buyer beware!) and Cave canem! (beware of the dog!). More handy Latin phrases for those of us who can't resist the sound of them.
Seriously though, avoid all those expensive and exhausting puppy times. A famous dog trainer said to one of his clients who was giving his dog to him, not to worry about the dog, because, “a big bag of cut up liver and a few walkies and car rides and he'll forget he ever knew you!” Sounds harsh, but love comes to a dog through his tummy first, and then quality attachment-training time. After food, they live to learn and to be with their “pack” of humans all the time.
It's no surprise that with Michigan's economy and more people on the move, the Humane Society of Kent County has more animals than ever. Whereas between 3/05 and 2/06 there were 2,998 animals relinquished by their owners and 2 years later the number in the same 12 month period is 4,872. An increase of 1,872 animals!
The Kent County Animal Shelter has plenty of potential best friends too!
They both have a rather exacting procedure for adoption (call ahead to know what to bring -- Vet's phone #, home ownership proof, etc) but it's nice to know that they want the adoption to be a great success and that they take the time necessary to ensure that you're both happy!
Comments
We got a fantastic 4-year-old "mutt" via petfinder.com. I highly recommend it!! It's kind of like the shelter, but covers MANY different shelter organizations, breeders, etc. Our doggie had outgrown her apt. home and needed a family with a yard, and we fit the bill!
Posted by: Elaine | March 24, 2008 05:40 PM