Considering adopting a pet? You can save a life!
Monday, 29. December 2008, 20:52:40
Let me reccomend Circle of Hope in West TN.
I adopted Maggie from this rescue and she is one of the most affectionate dogs I've ever owned. Many of the animals at Circle of Hope come from rough or abusive situations and may require time to warm up to a new family.
Maggie was abandoned in an old car at the back of her owners property, pregnant, dehydrated and malnourished. My sweet little Maggie was close to death when Circle of Hope rescued her, raised her pups and then put Maggie up for adoption. No one wanted Maggie because at the time Circle of Hope was over run with puppies and potential adopters wanted to adopt a pup. I chose Maggie simply because her time was up, and I saw something in her eyes that told me she was the perfect dog for me. I was right.
I had to be patient with Maggie as she was abused and terrified of everything. It was weeks before she approached me, and she still trembles with fear at the site of strangers, especially men. All that patience paid off as Maggie is so bonded to me now, that she goes through separation anxiety and needs to be crated if I'm gone for more than a few minutes.
In short if you are considering adopting a pet in the near future, please consider a rescue animal. These animals somehow know that you cared enough to offer them a home, and you will be rewarded with love and affection from your pet for their lifetime.
Please do some breed research before deciding on a specific breed of dog to ensure that the animal will fit into your lifestyle. Dogs require a great deal of care and can live to up to twenty years. That's a big time commitment for anymore.
Locate a shelter in your area
There are many ways you can help the animals at your local shelter. Donate time, money, food, blankets, leashes, collars and any pet accessories. Items are always needed and donations help keep costs down.
Some shelters run dog walking programs, you may donate your time and walk a shelter dog, or maybe chose to foster a pet who needs a little extra TLC before the animal can be rehomed. It's a short time commitment and you get to determine if a pet will fit into your lifestyle without the commitment of adoption.
I adopted Maggie from this rescue and she is one of the most affectionate dogs I've ever owned. Many of the animals at Circle of Hope come from rough or abusive situations and may require time to warm up to a new family.
Maggie was abandoned in an old car at the back of her owners property, pregnant, dehydrated and malnourished. My sweet little Maggie was close to death when Circle of Hope rescued her, raised her pups and then put Maggie up for adoption. No one wanted Maggie because at the time Circle of Hope was over run with puppies and potential adopters wanted to adopt a pup. I chose Maggie simply because her time was up, and I saw something in her eyes that told me she was the perfect dog for me. I was right.
I had to be patient with Maggie as she was abused and terrified of everything. It was weeks before she approached me, and she still trembles with fear at the site of strangers, especially men. All that patience paid off as Maggie is so bonded to me now, that she goes through separation anxiety and needs to be crated if I'm gone for more than a few minutes.
In short if you are considering adopting a pet in the near future, please consider a rescue animal. These animals somehow know that you cared enough to offer them a home, and you will be rewarded with love and affection from your pet for their lifetime.
Please do some breed research before deciding on a specific breed of dog to ensure that the animal will fit into your lifestyle. Dogs require a great deal of care and can live to up to twenty years. That's a big time commitment for anymore.
Locate a shelter in your area
There are many ways you can help the animals at your local shelter. Donate time, money, food, blankets, leashes, collars and any pet accessories. Items are always needed and donations help keep costs down.
Some shelters run dog walking programs, you may donate your time and walk a shelter dog, or maybe chose to foster a pet who needs a little extra TLC before the animal can be rehomed. It's a short time commitment and you get to determine if a pet will fit into your lifestyle without the commitment of adoption.
(25%)
WIDGETIZE
angel292005 # 31. December 2008, 17:10
noah counte # 2. January 2009, 15:21
I've had a rescue Brittany (the best dog ever, though he started out scared, especially of men, too), two rescue dalmatians (also very good dogs), and a rescue lab (great dog, in a possessive, no-one-else-gets-close-to-my-people sort of way). The dogs I have now (malamute/lab mix) are private rescue pups.
I heartily agree - rescue needy pups, and stay out of puppy mills.
Nerak # 3. January 2009, 07:50
Anyway, thank you so much for posting this, Tab. You're an amazingly caring person and this post is just one more example of that.
Tabmartel # 3. January 2009, 20:48
I agree Matthew. There are a lot of scammers out there, using a kind heart to steal money.
I adopted from circle of hope because I knew I wanted a rescue dog, and not necisarily a puppy. (Over a yearish)
Unlike local shelters the adoption fee was reasonable. Maggie was spayed, and vaccinated before she came to live with me.
Any dog that I own will be a rescue animal.