I know there are good reasons for getting a purebred dog from a reputable breeder, and I know from firsthand experiences that some rescue groups/shelters STINK. Yes, some of them do have crazy hoop jumping and rules that make even me- the die hard “rescue!” dog girl irritated.
That said, if you’re looking for a pet for heavens sake go down to the shelter, contact local groups, and try your hardest to give a home to a dog in need.
Our dog Jake (may he rest in peace) was a dog nobody was adopting until I fell in love with him and convinced my fiancee to let him come home. I can promise you no dog could have been better or more of a champion than him. In fact, I’ve had a really awful six months since he died. I still get teary eyed just thinking about and missing Jake and while I know nobody will ever be him, I also know that somewhere a dog needs us as much as we need a dog. My friends it is that thought that has me hopeful for a new furry friend at last.
Yes, it is important to do your homework and know what you’re getting into. You need to figure out what will and won’t work for you. Excessive shedding? bad with kids? loads of slobber? A dog like that wouldn’t be happy with us. But there are breeds that would, and the search has been narrowed. Oh- there was the day I was begging for this bulldog mix puppy, and another for this Bernese mountain dog mix… neither of which could have worked. Since I have done my homework in addition to a lifetime of having dogs I didn’t let my fantasy get past ‘oooh she’s so cute!’ and we all were saved from a bad match.
But there are dogs just right for us. In fact, I’ve been working with a breed rescue group and waiting for the right dog for us. A purebred rescue is a new thing for me- and while some of them aren’t very open to actually adopting their dogs (it sounds crazy- but I swear some groups would rather leave all dogs in foster homes!) I’ve been very blessed to find one that is FABULOUS, and in fact tomorrow we might just be meeting with a dog just right for us.
Wish us luck…
Oh I am soooo crossing my fingers there’s a dog waiting for that will be just right! Good luck!
I’m so glad that your taking this step to get another dog. I know exactly how you feel as I lost my 13 yr old collie/husky mix in January 2008. It’s hard to believe that its been a year & I still miss her terribly. I can’t even think of her without crying. I know that I could never replace her. Right now I’m not in that place yet where I feel the need for another furbaby. Maybe that need will come or maybe not but like you I’ll do my homework this time. My dog was rescued from the dog pound…love at first sight. Although she should have been an outdoor dog & was too big for my space & a walking “fur factory”, I would give anything to have her back. Good luck in your search. I can’t wait to see what you decide on.
How exciting to know you will have a new member to your family soon 🙂 I hope everything works out perfectly!
Hope it works out and that you get to bring home a new pet. I know how hard it is too lose a pet as they become a member of the family. We had to put our cat to sleep before the Xmas holidays. Good luck on your new dog.
Hope you find that perfect dog soon!
How exciting! Good luck in getting the perfect dog for your family!
I hope it works out for you. There is nothing like a furry family member. We had a bad experience trying to obtain a rescue dog but did not let that stop us. I believe everything happens for a reason. Sorry for your loss of Jake. What a sweet picture of him.
Good Luck!
Good luck!!! I hope you find just the right match for your family and for the dog.
Loved your photo of Jake bye the way. He looked like such a sweetie.
wishing you all the luck for the perfect match!!
Sending you tons of luck. All but one of our dogs have been rescue pups. I swear the rescued dogs just KNOW they are loved and wanted. We worked with a purebred rescue for our newest family member and as it turns out, he’s not even the breed they work with. Go figure. I understand what you mean about some rescue groups not being very cooperative on that whole finding a home for the dogs thing. Crazy, huh?
I’m so sorry you lost your Jake. What a sweet he must have been. Wishing you tons of luck in finding your new love.
What a wonderful story. We also got ourself a “pound puppy.” We had just lost our dog, and within a month of not having a dog, we felt our home was lone. So we are a proud owner of a “mix” yellow lab. With our first visit of the vet, who has been the vet to all of our dogs, saw her, she reminded him so much of our male lab, he laughted and said Buster had come back as a girl. I asked him what he thought she was mixed with, and he said “another lab.”
We feel so blessed to have found her.
Good Luck! I am glad you will be rescuing a new dog. Each pet is so special and diffrent from the next.
Good luck with the rescue place. When we wanted a cat the first rescue place would not let us adopt one because Rachel was not 6 yet. So dumb. We persisted and got a great cat from the SPCA!!
Can’t wait to see if you find your new pet tomorrow!
Good luck! I’m sure the right friend will come along. Sorry for your loss. Our friend adopts rescued Malamutes. She has three right now. One is not long for this world, but they sure are happy with her. Each time one passes on it’s a hard thing. They are all so wonderful. I don’t know how DS will take it when this one passes on. Hope things go well tomorrow! Aloha!
Good luck May. Jake reminds me of our old dog Shadow. He passed on 2 years ago, he was 12 years old. I try to ignore breed when it comes to dogs and look for the ones that are a good fit for our family.
All my dogs are rescues. I think you will know what dogs is right for you in your heart. I firmly believe the “rescue” is the way to go unless you are into breeding and showing (NOT!!)