wants someone else's problems? If the dog is so wonderful, why would anyone give him away? If he
was a stray, why didn't someone try to find him? I'd rather buy a puppy so I know what I'm getting,
and besides they're so cute!"
convinced that owning an older dog (i.e, 6 mo.+) "pre-owned" dog is better than buying a puppy. But
there are a number of reasons why adopting a pet from a rescue that carefully screens and evaluates its
dog can provide an even better alternative.
more, housetraining 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.
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.
demanding at 2am and 4 am 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?
relax when you get home from work? Do you think your kids will really feed him, clean up the messes,
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
workaday stress flows away and your blood pressure lowers as you pet him.
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.
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 who became the wrong
match as they got older!)
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."
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 superactive (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.
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
take to your parents' new home with the new carpet and the new couch. You can come home
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.)
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 dthey revel and blossom in a nurturing, loving environment. Most rescues
make exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely loyal companions.
But, it is not uncommon for Rescue to get $500 dogs that have either outlived their usefulness or their
novelty withimpulsive 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 confirmation),
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.
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!
reprint and distribute this document as long as LRR, Inc is credited.
