| My colleague Jenny was thinking about getting a dog, | | | | good health. |
| but she was hesitant to consider adoption. Her | | | | Rescued dogs come in all shapes, sizes and emotional |
| friends kept telling her that she should buy a perfect | | | | states - there is one out there that fits your needs |
| new puppy so that it would bond with her, and she | | | | and personality. |
| could train it. Their arguments seemed to make | | | | Rescue groups have return policies in case the dog |
| sense - after all, without knowing where an adopted | | | | doesn't work out. In fact, most rescue groups |
| dog came from or what it experienced in its past, | | | | require you to return your dog if she/he isn't a good |
| how could she know if it had health or behavioral | | | | fit. There is no shame in this as the result is usually a |
| problems? She looked at different breeders and pet | | | | better life for you and the dog. |
| stores, but felt as though something was preventing | | | | Usually, even dogs that come from puppy mills or |
| her from taking the next step. It wasn't until she | | | | bad situations end up as the best, most grateful |
| happened by an adoption fair and talked with some | | | | companions. They are resilient, and can bounce back |
| of the foster families who were there with their | | | | from trauma they have experienced with leadership |
| dogs, that she realized what had been keeping her | | | | and love from their new owner. |
| from going to a breeder: in her heart, she knew that | | | | Most dog "challenges" are overcome with patience, |
| adopting a dog was the right thing to do. | | | | love, attention and positive reinforcement training. |
| The sentiment of the foster parents confirmed her | | | | Going through the process of rehabilitating a |
| feelings as they explained to her how resilient their | | | | wayward dog can be an amazing experience for both |
| foster dogs were, and how they were easily able to | | | | owner and dog, and can create positive, lasting |
| train them and bond with them. From there, the | | | | change in both lives. |
| decision for Jenny became easy. | | | | Many "forever families" agree that their adopted |
| Jenny's misconceptions about dog adoption are all too | | | | dogs have brought more joy and love into their |
| common. Many people believe that they will get a | | | | home than they could ever have imagined. This is not |
| healthier, happier puppy from a breeder or pet store, | | | | to say that adopted dogs are always easy, but |
| when the truth is that any dog can have health- and | | | | neither are purchased dogs. People who believe they |
| temperament-related issues, and that pet store dogs | | | | are protecting themselves from a disaster dog by |
| are the most likely to have problems because they | | | | buying one from a breeder or pet store are missing |
| usually come from bad breeders. | | | | the mark. The best defense against a canine |
| Here are some clarifications about adopted dogs: | | | | catastrophe is performing diligent research before |
| Many times, rescued dogs come from good, caring | | | | selecting a dog, and then choosing one from a breed |
| people who experienced an unfortunate change in | | | | that is the right fit for your lifestyle. |
| their situation. Examples of this include when people | | | | Look to breed-specific dog rescue groups or animal |
| need to go into nursing care, have an illness or lose | | | | shelter personnel to help you with your dog selection, |
| their jobs. The dogs in these situations are usually | | | | and please consider adoption - you'll save money, and |
| potty trained, have a good temperament and are in | | | | you'll save a life! |