| I use to be a dog snob. As much as I love dogs...I | | | | as we went from shelter to shelter all of my |
| grew up with pure breeds and only owned AKC | | | | 'shelter dog' bias went right out the door. |
| registered dogs. I thought why would I go to a | | | | I really took a look at myself. It was hard to |
| shelter? Well read on and find out how one trip to | | | | admit to myself that I... who always claimed to |
| a dog shelter completely changed my warped | | | | love dogs... excluded dogs who were "not up to |
| way of thinking. | | | | my standards." How stupid. I felt like a complete |
| If you're considering adding a new four legged | | | | moron! |
| friend to your family consider visiting your local | | | | Norman eventually found a black Labrador pit bull |
| dog shelter. | | | | mix. The shelter estimated he was about 3-4 |
| A lot of people I've spoken to about getting a | | | | months old. A lab body and big pit head! LOL He |
| dog from the shelter have a lot of concerns. | | | | was adorable. Norman named him Alex. |
| The most common concerns were: | | | | Even still I was thinking in the back of my mind |
| - Worried that the dogs unknown behavior history | | | | that surely he's going to be a problem. I mean he |
| may be dangerous | | | | is half pit bull. (I know another biased thought on |
| - They were always told that 'shelter dogs' are | | | | my part!) |
| usually mixed breeds and therefore too | | | | But as Alex grew... he was as sweet as sweet |
| unpredictable | | | | could be. Norman enrolled him in dog training |
| - Shelter dogs...unlike pure bred dogs aren't as | | | | school. Alex did all of the stuff any other dog |
| smart | | | | would do. Chewing shoes, digging holes, potty |
| - Shelter dogs are much more difficult to train | | | | accidents. |
| - Unknown medical history | | | | Alex is extremely intelligent and has a great |
| Now this was my own survey of family and | | | | personality. |
| friends and there was nothing scientific about it at | | | | My Canine Nephew Alex is now almost 3 years |
| all. I too had my concerns. That is until my best | | | | old. This lab/pit mix is an absolute joy! Very |
| friend Norman decided to get a dog. (His first in | | | | playful loves people and other dogs. |
| his entire life.) | | | | Seeing all of those homeless dogs and Alex |
| He too decided to get a dog from a breeder. A | | | | changed my mind about getting a dog from the |
| Mini Pincher. Long story short, the cute little fella | | | | shelter. Sure one could encounter some issues |
| proved to be a little to high strung for Norman | | | | with a dog not knowing what they've experienced |
| and so he returned him to the breeder. | | | | or if there are health issues... etc.... But any dog... |
| Norman was still determined to get a dog and | | | | even one you've had since puppy hood can |
| decided to try a shelter. I was a little | | | | develop behavioral issues or health issues. It's all |
| apprehensive but I went along to support him. It | | | | apart of owning a dog. |
| was the first time either of us had ever been to | | | | My point is, if you love dogs then you have |
| an animal shelter. | | | | enough to get started. Find one that "speaks to |
| I cannot describe the overwhelming feeling I | | | | you." |
| experienced when we entered the kennel area. | | | | Take him or her home and make them apart of |
| Dozens of dogs some 5-6 to a cage. As soon as | | | | your family. Dogs are so loyal to their owners. It's |
| they saw a human being approach they gathered | | | | their way of saying "thank you" for taking care of |
| close to the fence. As I got closer they were | | | | them. |
| trying desperately to push each other out of the | | | | Please understand I am not against anyone |
| way so they could get as close to me as they | | | | choosing to get a pure bred. There is nothing |
| possibly could. | | | | wrong with that. This article is only meant to |
| Their eyes and their expressions seem to be | | | | provide another option if you're thinking about |
| saying... "Are you going to take me home with | | | | getting a dog. |
| you?" | | | | So if you're considering a shelter dog there are |
| I had to step away for a moment. I thought to | | | | hundreds of thousands of dogs just like Alex |
| myself. There are so many here... so many that | | | | waiting for someone like you to take them home. |
| need a home. | | | | I would love to hear your experiences with |
| I can understand the concerns expressed above. | | | | shelter dogs please fill free to contact me. |
| There was a time when I felt the same way. But | | | | |