Photo by Bethan Hazell
I happen to love my pound hound with my entire heart and soul. I know others, such as Aimee who rescued her Lally and Moose from shelters, also feel the same.
Since October is Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month, I thought I’d honor it by listing some reasons why adopting a dog will be the best decision you ever make.
Reason #1: You’re Saving a Life
Some shelters are no-kill, meaning the animals will stay there until the right home is found for them. But most shelters only have limited resources –space, food, and money. That forces them to put an expiration date on all the animals that come through their doors and euthanize the ones who run past it.
Walk into such a shelter and I guarantee you won’t be able to look into the eyes of at least one dog without feeling a connection and wanting to take him or her home. Actually adopt such a dog, and I guarantee you’ll never look in their eyes without having your heart swell with awe and gratitude that you saved such a precious life.
Reason #2: You’ll Get an Unconditional Lover
The world can be a cruel place. Any dog who’s ended up in a shelter could tell you that.
But when that angel of a person walks to their cage, asks to see them, and actually takes them home? When that person feeds them every day, plays with them, gives them a comfy, warm, and safe place to sleep? That dog won’t care about whatever flaws you might have. They can’t see them. All they see is the beautiful person who saved their life. And they’ll love you with happy tail wags, sloppy kisses, and excited you’re-home-again yips after you’ve been out. They’ll give you a furry shoulder to cry on when you’re in need, and they’ll be a constant, unwavering friend to remind you of what a good person you are when you’re in doubt because other people have you believing otherwise.
Reason #3: You’ll be Blessed with a Loyal Companion
You want someone to stand by your side through thick and thin, till death do you part, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, in laughter and tears? Get a dog.
Reason #4: You’ll Find You Have a Partner in Crime
No, I’m not saying among the tricks you should teach your dog is how to hold up banks or perform elaborate heists. But if you want an exercise buddy? Get a dog. If you want a reason for getting out and meeting more people? Get a dog. Take regular walks in your neighborhood or trips to the dog park and watch your social life soar. Want to go explore new places, like parks, trails, and lakes? A dog will always be ready to go with you.
Reason #5: You’ll Get a Personal Bodyguard
None of my dogs have been the personification of vicious protectors. Mackie was as loving as he was lovely, Budly was a rambunctious, good-time, tennis ball-loving nut, and Murph’s as well behaved as they come. But with them all I’ve had incidents where they perceived a threat against me. Each time I’ve stood in awe as my dogs defended my honor and made it very clear that you have to go through them first before you get to me.
Reason #6: You’ll Feel Better
Health-wise, that is. More and more studies show that people who have pets are healthier, recover from illness and surgeries faster, and have a more positive outlook on life.
So???
What are you waiting for? Get out there and visit your local shelter. They’ve got lots of dogs just waiting for their perfect person to come save them.
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