Saving a dog’s life may be one of the greatest and most rewarding acts of kindness you will ever have experienced, and the feeling will remain in your heart forever.
If you love dogs and are thinking about adding one to your family, but a puppy is just not a good fit, I hope you will consider adopting a rescued dog.
Here are a few good reasons.
1. Older/rescue dogs are not as effort-intensive as young puppies. Chances are good that they will already be housetrained, a big issue to think about if you are not able to devote time and energy to the proper training that young puppies require. They also don’t have the same restrictive and schedule demands as a puppy. Once they have adjusted to their new home, older/rescue dogs usually sleep through the night and don’t necessarily awake too early in the morning.
2. Not having to cope with a young puppy’s chewing and teething stage may be reason enough to look for an older dog that has already gone through this phase.
3. Adopting an older dog should guarantee that medical exams, vaccinations, de-worming, and appropriate testing, if necessary, such as fecal exams or blood work, as well as neutering or spaying, have been performed by a veterinarian. Depending upon the facility you adopt your dog from, additional veterinary care may be included for a specific time. A health record would be provided when you adopt your new dog so that your veterinarian of choice can continue to provide appropriate care in addition to regular wellness check-ups.
4. An older dog may provide almost immediate companionship. A relationship between you and a young puppy will take time to develop and allow for the developmental time needed for the puppy to participate in many of the activities you would like to do together. Puppies are not completely vaccinated until sixteen (16) weeks old, and it’s best not to take a puppy that is not vaccinated to public areas, especially where there are other dogs.
5. If the dog you adopt is over a year old, you pretty much know what your dog will look like and what size he will be as an adult.
6. In most situations, a rescued/older dog is “grateful” and eager to please its new family. Many times, when you “save” the life of a dog and give it a loving, safe, and comfortable home, a special and stronger-than-usual bond forms between the two of you. But don’t expect that from day one. The first few days or weeks with your new older dog may be like a person starting a new job or a child starting a new school. The real personality will shine through after the comfort zone sets in.
There are a few things to be aware of when your newly adopted dog has not come from a previous home of love and kindness. Often, it’s more likely to be a situation of shyness, fear, reserve, hiding, retreating, not playing, hardly eating, not barking, tail down, /or not showing any signs of affection or wanting to be touched.
If you adopt an abused dog, you might want to consult with an experienced trainer and canine behaviorist. An obedience dog trainer who is not experienced and knowledgeable in behavioral conditioning is not the right choice to help dogs that were abused, neglected, abandoned, and unsocialized. Those dogs need very special care and handling.
Sometimes, love is not enough. Consult a veterinarian and talk to professionals skilled in handling abused dogs routinely. Usually, someone at the rescue foundation is assigned to work with the dog and will be very helpful in offering valuable information and advice.
Suggestion: Many rescue organizations have programs for volunteers to walk the dogs. Become a volunteer. Spend time at the shelter and become familiar with the shelter dogs. I bet you will fall in love with more than one.
Jenna-ralities: Don’t be put off by a dog’s immediate reaction to you when released from his/her kennel. They are usually over-excited about getting a family or afraid and seem overly shy. Take some time and go for a walk with the rescue dog that tugs at your heart. Try to get away from the kennel area where he or she is kept. Many shelters have rooms or trails just to get acquainted. Please keep in mind that this adoption should be for keeps.
If rescuing an older dog becomes a reality, you need to be prepared for that first night together and the next few days after that, at the very least. Don’t bring home a mature dog and leave for work or go shopping for dog food and supplies. The new environment is a huge adjustment, adding to the dog’s stress. Have everything you need at home before you arrive home together. These wonderful dogs deserve a forever home. If you intend to use a crate or confinement, do NOT bring a rescued dog home, crate or confine them and leave.
The first few hours/days are a big adjustment for both of you, especially for the dog in an unfamiliar environment with a “stranger,” namely you! Make the first few hours “quiet time” or “getting acquainted time,” or walk through the house or yard, look at new toys, and get familiar with a new bed, bowls, and feeding area. Take a walk, pet, talk, feed, groom, and play with him or her when the time seems appropriate and your dog is accepting of it. Sometimes, your “new” older/rescue dog will be frightened or apprehensive if they have never lived in a loving home environment. It just takes time and patience.
Remember not to change the usual food, or if you decide to do so, do it a little at a time by adding the new food to your dog’s old food. Any additional sudden change will manifest itself and make its presence known in behavioral and /or health issues.
A word to the inexperienced: No matter how well-behaved your new dog is during the initial getting-to-know-you period, do not leave your new friend alone to wander the house when you have to leave or at bedtime. Love may have already set in, but you both need time to develop trust.
Before making any decisions, it would be wise to visit one of your local shelters or adoption facilities and spend time with a rescued dog. You might bring home the best friend you ever had.
So, once again, it becomes a matter of the heart. If you fall in love with a puppy, older dog, or rescue dog, I hope you will protect, nurture, and love that dog for a lifetime.
PLEASE HELP US TO HELP SHELTER DOGS BE ADOPTED. THE SHELTERS ARE OVERCROWDED.
IF YOU HAVE AN ADOPTED, RESCUED/SHELTER DOG, PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AND THE LOVE YOU SHARE. SEND PHOTOS TOO. Please send to Jenna@murphdog.net or use CONTACT JENNA form
