Today is National Puppy Day. Although we all love to celebrate our dogs, this day has a little deeper meaning. It was created to help bring attention to all the dogs in shelters and rescues waiting for their forever homes.
I have always been a huge advocate for adopting instead of buying a dog. I spent a number of years as a Board member for the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society where I met literally hundreds of dog and all were perfect family members. Dogs have an this ability to let go of their past and live in the moment. So an unhappy start does not mean an unhappy life.
So before you think about adding a dog to your family, decide what kind of dog fits your needs. A young dog or a more mature dog? Active or a couch potato? A dog that needs a lot of care and grooming or a short haired dog that gets by with a bath in the sink? A dog that’s a certain breed?
Once you have a dog in mind, then start looking. If a certain breed of dog is important, start with breed rescues. I have always had Boston Terriers. My parents gave me one for my third Christmas and it’s been a life long love. I also fell in love with the little clown cars known as French Bulldogs. They are goofy little dogs and are just a joy to have around. And both of my dogs came from breed rescues, Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue and Chicago French Bulldog Rescue.
If you are looking for temperament or a certain personality, shelters are a great place to start. They spend a lot of time getting to know the dog and are experts at matching dogs to the right family situation. They want the match to succeed so they do their best to help you find the right dog.
If you are asking yourself…. why adopt instead of buying a puppy, let me leave you with these stats.
2 million puppies are sold by puppy mills every year.
Last year, almost 400,000 dogs were euthanized in shelters.
The best way to end puppy mills? Stop the demand for their product.
The best way to end euthanizations? Stop buying puppies and rescue a dog.
The best love is rescued love.
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