by David E. Neuwirth
I have been volunteering
with several local dog rescue groups for years.
It can be frustrating to see so many dogs that have been abandoned due
to their owner’s ignorance. I understand
that there are some unforeseen or uncontrollable situations that make it
necessary for a dog to be re-homed, but in my experience, most cases of owner
surrenders are due to human flaws.
Adding a
dog to your family is a commitment to that dog for the life. Depending on the breed of dog, the average
lifespan might range from 10 – 15 years.
The first question you need to ask yourself is, are you prepared to be
committed to your dog for a decade or more?
I can’t tell you how many people have called a rescue to give up their
dog because they just had a child, or got into or out of relationship. If having a child or change of relationship
status is going to cause you to dump your dog at a shelter; don’t get a dog to
begin with.
I would
bet that anyone involved in rescue will tell you many stories of people who
abandon their dog after a divorce and equally as many stories of dogs being
abandoned after a baby is born. If you
have a commitment to a dog and don’t think you can handle both a dog and a
child than don’t get a dog if children are in your future. Dogs are not a temporary stand in for a
child; only to be forgotten and dumped once a child is born.
Another
reason that so many dogs of all breeds and mixed breeds end up in need of
rescue is that people make an impulse decision without doing the research
needed to find the best fit. Some breeds
are very active and require daily exercise; other dogs are more of a couch
potato. Some dogs are quite vocal;
certain breeds need more mental stimulation; some breeds are more difficult to
train. There are breeds of dogs that
require more grooming than others. The
bottom line is; find the dog that fits your personality, life style, level of
experience in training and energy level.
Spend time learning about what will be required to properly care for
your dog (including time commitments for exercise, grooming, training, etc. as
well as financial needs). For example,
don’t get a Siberian Husky if you can’t deal with the shedding. They do shed and if you do your research in
advance, you will learn that shaving them is not a viable option (they can
actually suffer from heat stroke if you shave them and take away their natural
insulation.)
I am an
advocate of rescuing / adopting dogs. Please
consider rescuing a dog before you buy a dog.
There are rescue organizations for just about every breed of dog. There are also all breed / mixed breed
rescues. No matter what type of dog you
are looking for, there is a non-profit, rescue to help. If you decide to purchase a puppy, please do
your research to find a reputable breeder.
Do NOT buy from a pet store (you will be purchasing / supporting puppy
mill dogs). Check references and do your
research to find a respectable breeder.
If you are willing to take
the time to find the right dog to fit your lifestyle and commit to that dog for
his or her entire life, you will find that your life will be enhanced more than
you could have ever imagined. Dogs do require your time and energy, but they
give back so much more than we could ever give them.
