Rescuing a dog (or any animal) is a very loving, selfless thing to do. However, it should not be done on a whim unless you are very confident that you can handle each and every surprise that comes with it (good and bad).

Some items to consider before signing on the dotted line are medical costs, housing, feeding, training, work schedules, family dynamics, and your perception of what makes the perfect pet.

Once you have a general understanding of what you can offer and the traits you seek you need to consider the history of the little guy or gal you want to adopt.  The little puppy, adolescent or grown dog may have been a stray, leaving you with nothing to go on except for how they behave at the animal shelter or rescue facility.  Others may have been given up for adoption because the owner could no longer provide proper care or properly manage behavioral problems.

Each dog has its own story and the wisest thing to do is ask the shelter as many questions as you can, step away from the situation for a bit, and then make your decision.  In my opinion, this is critical.  You can always express your interest and tell the shelter or rescue agency that you need to mull things over, leave your phone number and ask them to call you if someone else shows an interest.  Dogs are not like cars, and they do not go to the highest bidder. They simply need to go to the best home. Taking a breather for an hour or so will be in the best interest of all.

If you cannot resist and find it impossible to leave the pet store or shelter without that special little pup you made a connection with, then inquire about the agency’s policies on what to do if you find that you and the dog are not a good fit.  Returning a dog is a very sad thing to do, which is why I firmly believe that stepping away for a bit before making that final decision is the best thing to do.

I will admit that I adopted Phoebe on an semi-whim. Owning a dog was the furthest thing from my mind; Phoebe adopted me, but that is another story.  I was lucky because the rescue shelter (Pawsitive Connections) highly recommended that the potential adopters take the dog home for a few hours or a day to see how they fit in with the family. I brought Phoebe home to meet the family. We all agreed that she would bring a sparkle to our lives and we also understood that we would have to unite and do our part to bring out the best in her.

I have adopted pets in the past and have had outcomes that ran the gamut. I am hoping that this blog will be educational and inspirational with a little bit of fun on the side.

So here we go!