There’s nothing happier than a heart and a home that’s making a place for a new dog!
Just the thought kindles a gentle, pervasive warmth that lightens the corners of your smile. I had forgotten, in these four years, how much happiness four paws and a wet nose could add to my life. Best of all, there’s a rescue dog out there who wants to do just that – in exchange for a forever home.
Here are the 10 reasons why I may want to adopt a rescue dog:
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1. Cat Negotiation
Can’t say that a slightly older rescue dog will not harass the cat….but it might not be a top priority as it is for a puppy. In any event, the cat will have something else to do other than bossing me around.
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2. Shabby Carpets
It’s ok if there’s still some training to do. But I can at least get started picking out a carpet color, because housebreaking won’t take as long.
3. Save the Flowers
Even a young rescue may be on a mission to dig his or her way to China via my flower beds. But I can work with a hint of maturity and attention span to divert my rescue towards better, fun things to do.
4. The back seat of my SUV is empty.
The only thing I ask of a rescue dog is the willingness to become a good citizen in order to travel the world with me. As long as I make that clear from the beginning of my search, I know that responsible rescue organizations will help me make the right choice.
Judging from these photos of rescue dogs going home, I don’t think there will be a problem with riding in the car!
5. Can’t part with the dog gates, either.
Chances are good that I will still need my dog crates for a new rescue, to establish his or her own space. And perhaps to impose a little discipline in the beginning, if needed.
But a rescue dog who has been fostered, or who has spent time in a crate, has some concept of boundaries. So proceed directly to the dog gates! From the get-go I can set up a space within the hub of the household that both includes the new rescue dog and protects my stuff!
6. I really want to splurge on dog toys and dog stuff for a deserving rescue.
I know a puppy loves new toys…but a rescued dog really deserves new toys! And a new custom leather dog collar, (maybe one with a matching photo jewelry bracelet for me!), a dog ID tag, dog bed, and the very best in nutrition and medical care.
It will be fun to see if my rescue already has a preference in toys – squeaky, stuffed, not-stuffed, Kong, rope pulls, tennis balls…the list goes on! And if my rescue is a female…well, we girls have a lot of shopping to do!
7. Mornings without a wet nose is like a morning without sunshine.
Joyous anticipation for the upcoming day has never been so truly expressed as in the eyes of a dog, beckoning you from the side of your bed to arise and join in!
I don’t know if a rescue dog will step right into that role. It really depends on what life was like before for him or her.
Regardless, I know that very few dogs ever loose that spark and I am committed to getting us both to that point when the first order of the day is to be happy!
8. Zelda would want it.
If Zelda was here today, I know she would share her home because she knew her dog mom (me) had plenty of love to go around!
9. I can give an adopted dog a good home.
Not just the stuff, but the love, attention and patience that may be required to make a rescue dog secure and happy in his or her forever home.
10. It’s just not right that a dog should become a rescue dog.
Dogs love us and depend on us…and ask for so little in return. Taking away their home, even one with only the bare necessities, is a betrayal of that love. It’s just wrong.
As much as I want there never to be a rescue dog who needs a forever home, all I can do is give one the best home possible.
What advice can you give me about dog adoption?
