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Top 10 Reasons to Adopt A Rescue Dog
10) In a Word—Housebroken.
With most family members gone during the workweek for 8 hours or more, house-training a puppy and its small bladder can take awhile. Puppies need a consistent schedule with frequent opportunities to eliminate where you want them to. They can't wait for the boss to finish his meeting or the kids to come home from after school activities. An older dog can "hold it" much more reliably for longer time periods, and usually the Rescue has him housebroken before he is adopted.
9) Intact Underwear.
With a chewy puppy, you can count on at least 10 mismatched pairs of socks and a variety of unmentionables rendered to the "rag bag" before he cuts every tooth. And don't even think about shoes! Also, you can expect holes in your carpet (along with the urine stains), pages missing from books, stuffing exposed from couches, and at least one dead remote control. No matter how well you watch them, it will happen—this is a puppy's job! An older dog can usually have the run of the house without destroying it.
8) A Good Night's Sleep.
Forget the alarm clocks and hot water bottles, a puppy can be very demanding at 2am and 4am and 6am. He misses his littermates, and that stuffed animal will not make a puppy pile with him. If you have children, you've been there and done that. How about a little peace and quiet? How about an older rescue dog?
7) Finish the Newspaper.
With a puppy running amok in your house, do you think you will be able to relax when you get home from work? Do you think your kids will really feed him, clean up the messes, and take him for a walk in the pouring rain every hour to get him housetrained? With an adult dog, it will only be the kids running amok, because your dog will be sitting calmly next to you, while your workday stress flows away and your blood pressure lowers as you pet him.
6) Easier Vet Trips.
Those puppies need their series of puppy shots and fecals, then their rabies shot, then a trip to be altered, maybe an emergency trip or two if they've chewed something
dangerous. Those puppy visits can add up (on top of what you paid for the dog!). Your donation to the rescue when adopting an older pup should get you a dog with all shots current, already altered, heartworm negative and on preventative at the minimum.
5) What You See Is What You Get.
How big will that puppy be? What kind of temperament will he have? Will he be easily trained? Will his personality be what you were hoping for? How active will he be? When adopting an older dog from a rescue, all of those questions are easily answered. You can pick large or small; active or couch potato; goofy or brilliant; sweet or sassy. The rescue and its foster homes can guide you to pick the right match. (Rescues are full of puppies that became the wrong match, as they got older!)
4) Unscarred Children (and Adults).
When the puppy isn't teething on your possessions, he will be teething on your children and yourself. Rescues routinely get calls from panicked parents who are sure their dog is biting the children. Since biting implies hostile intent and would be a consideration whether to accept a "give-up", Rescue Groups ask questions and usually find out the dog is being nippy. Parents are often too emotional to see the difference; but a growing puppy is going to put everything from food to clothes to hands in their mouths, and as they get older and bigger it definitely hurts (and will get worse, if they aren't being corrected properly.) Most older dogs have "been there, done that, moved on."
3) Matchmaker Make Me a Match.
Puppy love is often no more than an attachment to a look or a color. It is not much of a basis on which to make a decision that will hopefully last 15+ years. While that puppy may have been the cutest of the litter; he may grow up to be super active (when what you wanted was a couch buddy); she may be a couch princess (when what you wanted was a tireless hiking companion); he may want to spend every waking moment in the water
(while you're a landlubber); or she may want to be an only child (while you are intending to have kids or more animals). Pet mis-matches are one of the top reasons Rescues get "give-up" phone calls. Good rescues do extensive evaluating of both their dogs and their applicants to be sure that both dog and family will be happy with each other until death do them part.
2) Instant Companion.
With an older dog, you automatically have a buddy that can go everywhere and do everything with you NOW. There's no waiting for a puppy to grow up (and then hope he will like to do what you enjoy.) You will have been able to select the most compatible dog: one that travels well; one that loves to play with your friends' dogs; one with excellent house manners that you can come home to after a long day's work and spend your time on a relaxing walk, ride or swim with your new best friend (rather than cleaning up after a small puppy.)
1) Rescue Dog Bond.
Dogs who have been uprooted from their happy homes or have not had the best start in life are more likely to bond very completely and deeply with their new people. Those who have lost their families through death, divorce or lifestyle change go through a terrible mourning process. But, once attached to a new loving family, they seem to want to please as much as possible to make sure they are never homeless again. Those dogs that are just learning about the good life and good people seem to bond even deeper. They know what life on the streets, life on the end of a chain, or worse is all about, and they revel and blossom in a nurturing, loving environment. Most rescues make exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely loyal companions.
Unfortunately, many folks think dogs that end up in rescue are all genetically and behaviorally inferior. But, it is not uncommon for Rescue to get $500 dogs that have either outlived their usefulness or their novelty with impulsive owners who considered their dog a possession rather than a friend or member of the family; or simply did not really consider the time, effort and expense needed to be a dog owner.
Not all breeders will accept "returns",
so choices for giving up dogs can be limited to animal welfare organizations, such as Rescues, or the owners trying to place their own dogs.
Good Rescues will evaluate the dog before accepting him/her (medically, behaviorally, and for breed conformation), rehabilitate if necessary, and adopt the animal only when he/she is ready and to a home that matches and is realistic about the commitment necessary to provide the dog with the best home possible. Choosing a rescue dog over a purchased pup will not solve the pet overpopulation problem (only responsible pet owners and breeders can do that), but it does give many of them a chance they otherwise would not have. But, beyond doing a "good deed", adopting a rescue dog can be the best decision and addition to the family you ever made.
Rescue a dog and get a devoted friend
for life!
Written by Mary Clark at LABRADOR RETRIEVER RESCUE, INC.
Permission has been granted to freely reprint and distribute this document as long as LRR, Inc at http://www.lrr.org/ is credited.
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Available Rotties
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 Dargo
Drop dead gorgeous, with a head like a basketball, this low-rider 2-year old boy is everything a Rott should be. Handsome and exuberant, Dargo lives large. Despite his impressive size, he’s very affectionate and particularly good with small children. Dargo lives with three female dogs now and understands his place in the pack. Since he’s basically a teenager, Dargo’s still learning house rules, so don’t leave any tempting roasts on the counter. He’s reliably housebroken and crate trained but needs some leash work and an obedience refresher.
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 Sam
We’re starting to think that we should have named this 16 month old Houdini. He’s a super smart dog with a curious mind and the urge to explore the world beyond the backyard. Fortunately, Sam is also a mellow guy who gets along with four- and two-footed friends. Sam can run like the wind, but also has demonstrated extraordinary recall ability. This bright boy is very responsive and looking to please. Good natured and calm, we can give you pointers on how to keep him safely inside his crate.
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Carl
Yes, he is a Good Dog, just like the books. At 15 months, Carl is one of the brightest dogs we’ve ever encountered. He’s observant, housebroken, obedience and crate trained. Carl’s a talker, and will let you know when he has to potty, when he wants to share an opinion or would like to get your attention. Carl is an all-out boy and when he falls in love with a person, he falls hard and bonds forever. If you’ve been looking for the ultimate ball dog, Carl’s your man. Catch, fetch, chase, flyball, soccer, you name it, if a ball’s involved, Carl’s up for the game. Experienced owners only because this guy likes to play the angles. |
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Stay tuned for new photos and bios of our newest dogs...Zoe, Sly, Lulu, and Jaden. Have some spare time and room for a crate in your home? Please consider opening your heart and home to a foster dog in need! |
Adoption Considerations
Things to Consider Before Adoption:
The Importance of Responsible Pet Ownership
What are you doing for the next 10 to 15 years? This may seem like a silly question, but it is the first question you should ask yourself when you are considering bringing home a dog.
The truth is that animal shelters and rescue organizations are overloaded with unwanted pets. Many of these pets were acquired with the best intentions, but with a lifestyle change, or other occurrence, pets become disposable and unwanted. Pets can provide you and your family with more unconditional love than you can imagine. Please remember that acquiring a new pet is a lifetime commitment and should not be taken lightly.
Please Consider These Questions Before Adding a New Member to Your Family:
Is your family ready for a pet?
All family members should agree to adopt a pet. Never get a pet to satisfy a begging child. While children can help with the care of pets, parents should be prepared to take on all pet care duties. Children do not always keep the promises they make when they first set eyes on a new pet.
Do you want an adult dog or a puppy?
The amount of time that you will need to spend training your new dog depends greatly on its age and past experiences. A puppy will need to be housetrained and given the opportunity to relieve itself at least every four hours. Puppies will go through a teething phase, which can mean chewing! Adult dogs may be well trained and well mannered or may have been given little training and exhibit undesirable behaviors. No matter their age, all dogs require consistent training to maintain good behavior.
How much time do you spend away from home?
When dogs are left alone for long periods of time (more than 8 to 10 hours a day), they may display frustration behaviors like barking, digging, chewing and relieving themselves in the house. In addition, if you are frequently away overnight, it will be necessary to have someone care for your pet. Dogs need regular exercise. Will you have time in your schedule for a nightly walk or a game of tug or fetch?
Do you have small children or grandchildren?
Are they old enough to interact with a dog responsibly without hurting themselves or the dog? Children need to be taught how to behave around pets just as pets need to learn how to behave around children. Do not expect either to come naturally. A small child’s game of pulling a dog’s tail could result in the dog snapping or worse.
Is your budget ready for a dog?
Remember that the average life span of a dog can be 10-to-15 years. Your pet will need regular veterinary care, not to mention veterinary attention for any unforeseen problems or emergencies. Nutritious pet food, toys, a crate, heartworm preventative, and flea prevention are all basic requirements of pet ownership. All of these things add up.
What changes will time bring?
There is an old saying that the only constant in life is change. At some point, you and your family are bound to be affected by a change in job, location, or family size—perhaps all three! How will this affect your pet? If you are required to move, will you be able to take your pet with you? Are you willing to consider your pet in the relocation process? What if you or another family member becomes allergic to the pet? Do you plan to have children? Do you plan to have more than one pet? What if your pet is afflicted with a debilitating disease? How will you provide for your pet under these circumstances?
Many of the pets in shelters and rescue groups today are there because their previous owners did not consider these possibilities. Please give serious consideration to these questions before making your decision so that your pet does not become a statistic again.
 Download the adoption application
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