We’re looking to adopt a dog. There are hundreds, even thousands, of dogs that need homes. How do you choose? What makes a dog right for you, or you right for the dog? It’s a daunting decision and it breaks your heart to see how many there are that need homes, but we both fell in love with one particular dog’s photo online.
We’re going to meet this special dog tomorrow morning and we hope it’s a good match. Our resident dog, Rex, is ten. We have room in our lives for another pooch especially since we just lost our two 15-year-old cats (one in February and one last month). We’re ready.
This dog we’re going to meet is just over a year old. He deserves a home, just like all the others. I thought back the other day to when Rex was young (that’s Rex in the picture below). Man, he was a terror. Back in August I did a post where I noted what I ultimately needed to PUT into practice when Rex was a pup:
P – Patience
U – Understanding
T – Training
No matter what dog we choose (or who chooses us!) he’ll need behavior training reinforced, patience, and understanding. He’ll also need love, lots and lots of love.
So will this dog we see tomorrow come to live with us? That is yet to be seen. His rescuer and foster mom are bringing him over to meet us and to meet Rex. Stay tuned!
If you are looking to adopt a pet, check out www.adoptapet.com. You can type in your zip code to find the pets nearest you.
QUESTION FOR YOU: Do you have a rescue story?
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FEATURED PET PHOTO:
Meet Angie’s 4 Beagles. According to her, it all started in November of 2000 when her heart was given to her first adopted beagle who they named Madeline (Maddie). Since then, they have adopted Maurice (Morrie) and most recently Miss Millie and Sassie. Now she has A Life With 4 Beagles (and a blog about it!).
Thanks for sharing this awesome photograph with us, Angie! And stay tuned for more favorite pet photos in blogs to come.
Ronna, a Facebook friend, wrote:
“Adopted “Sadie”, a caramel colored cocker off of Craig’s List 2 mo. ago. Her owner was deployed to Europe and the military charges over $2k for pets to be shipped overseas! (Shameful!) Anyway, we were the fortunate beneficiaries. It’s been two months now and she’s a treasure to me–a former non-dog person! I would say, from years of my husband having his ranch dogs–it takes a good month to truly find out what you “have”. For problems/benefits to start popping up. And patterns to begin. It’s easy to be all ga-ga over a dog and forget that one is basically kind of “always” training, either by commission or, worse, omission. And like kids, they need firm guidance to “stay” the dog you truly want them to be. :)”
Ronna — fabulous sentiments. Thank you so much!
From Facebook Friend Troy:
“I adopted a 95 pound lab because he and I fell in love the first night we met. He loves the rest of my family, but he is still always daddy’s dog. He wasn’t what I thought I was looking for at the time, but he has never ceased to be exactly what I needed.”
I LOVE Troy’s last line, don’t you?
And then Troy responded to my comment with more on his beloved pet:
“He was a rescue dog, found in the woods shot through the neck but he survived. We got him from a lady who rescued him then had to go back to New Zealand to take care of her mom. He is great!”
I’m so happy Troy and his dog found each other. What a blessing for both of them.
From Kim, a Facebook Friend: “It’s like everything else…you’ll just know. Just follow your heart…the puppy you need and the one who needs you will be one in the same.”
I loved that comment. Thank you, Kim!
I hope tomorrow goes well, BJ.
Thank you, Shawnelle! I appreciate those well wishes!
Wow, what a surprise! Can’t wait to hear all about the meeting in detail and see photos of the pup, if this is “the one.” Good luck!
Thanks, Jean! This might just be “the one.” Will keep you posted! Hugs!
Crystal, good luck! I’ll bet those two boys of yours are going to LOVE having a dog. I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow as you meet your possibly forever pooch! Hugs, B.J.
We’re looking to adopt a dog right now too! It will be our first dog and we’re a little nervous, but our boys (4 and 6) have been begging for a pet. I agree – the photos and stories out there are heartbreaking! We narrowed down our search on petfinder.com to size, age, housebroken, and gets along well with little kids. We’re meeting a potential pooch tomorrow!