In honor of their 15th birthday, Petfinder arranged to adopt the internet today! When I received an email about the event that included a request to blog about pet adoption, how could I resist? Obviously, I couldn’t!
Why?
(Get ready for the biggest cliche to ever appear on this blog!)
Because adopting a dog changed my life.
Seriously.
I adopted Emmett in July 2006. He was cute, sweet, cuddly, and happy! I had no idea what a Staffie was. To me, he was and is just my Emmett. But he opened up my world to this whole other world, a world where people have to defend their dogs not because of anything they’ve done, but because of how they look. Loving Emmett turned me into an advocate for animal welfare (albeit accidentally). I had to advocate for him, obviously, so how could I not advocate for other dogs like him?
And then I adopted Lucas. Lucas, my fearful pup, who would get so scared that he would lunge and snap and snarl, quivering the whole time. He would hide under the table when the TV was turned on, and he could not be patted. But I could see the fear in his eyes, and I knew that beyond the fear there was a wonderful boy in there. He was just trapped by his fear. So I read every book I could on dog training, then on dog behavior. We took lots and lots of classes and worked with many trainers. Lucas reminds me every single day that I still have tons to learn, but I wouldn’t be nearly so aware of animal behavior and training and all the joys that come from that if I hadn’t adopted Lucas.
And then there’s Cooper, my foster failure. He’s a sweet, silly, playful, brilliant pit bull mix. He’s been here nearly six months, and it’s hard to believe he ever wasn’t here! But then I remember that there was a time when I could get my work done in one sitting. And I could get the laundry done without someone running off with socks or underpants. Cooper’s job is to teach me patience, and he’s working really, really hard at getting through to me. Check out other dogs from Cooper’s rescue on Petfinder.
I know that it’s super important to focus on the dogs who are suffering, the puppy mills that run a thriving, cruel business, and the dogs who are languishing away in shelter. Every single one of those dogs deserves a chance at a happy, loving home. Sadly, many people have a bad idea about shelter dogs. That they’re somehow less than or worse than a purchased pup. The reality is that they can be the absolute best friends, the sweetest companions, and the best teachers anyone could ever hope for.
My guys have literally changed my life.
Take a chance. Adopt a dog, and let him (or her!) change yours.
Is there an adopted dog in your life? Tell me about him or her in the comments! How has your dog changed your life?
Great post. I feel the same way about Toby — there are so many thing I wouldn’t have or be doing if it weren’t for him, including writing this comment and my current job. 🙂 Adding a pet into your life can open so many new windows.
Thank you for your post great three stories of your lovely three rescue pups!
Every pet in our house, all 6, plus the spare that might as well live here, are all rescues. I will never get a dog any other way! We are promoting Adopt the Internet on our blog too!
Wags!
Mr. Nubbin’
Cliche or not, I have to agree with you! We found Kelly on Petfinder. She was about 1 yr old when she joined our family. She’s made every day brighter since.
Who cares if it is cliche? I don’t think it ever gets old. I talk all the time about how adopting my dog changed my life. Because it did. Permanently. I wouldn’t be here, typing away and connecting with so many amazing people, if it weren’t for Petfinder. I don’t even want to know where I would be.
Thanks for such a wonderful post!
Love this! I met and fell in love with, totally unexpectedly, a very large male black Lab/Staffie mix. His owners took him in when he proved to be too much to handle for another young owner. They already have a dog and they just don’t mix well. He’s super sweet and immediately bonded with me, and listens amazingly well. I’m actually looking for another house that will allow pets, and I’ve been going through a roller coaster of doubt and emotion—will I be a good dog mom? Will I screw this up? But his sweet little (huge, actually) face just haunts me. I’m ready for a life change. Thanks for this positive post!
Emmett looks just like my dog. Except she’s a girl. Her name is Ginger. They even sleep the same way.
If you’re interested in adopting a dog from the Caribbean, Potcake Place on the island of Providenciales is always looking for homes. Potcakes are the native dogs of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos. They’re really nice dogs. We think this is a good project (we’re not affiliated with Potcake Place) and like to let people know about it.