A Second Chance…

 

Potential adopters: She’s a shelter dog, not a bad dog.

By Kyra Kirkwood

Despite an upsurge in shelter and rescue dog adoptions, myths often prevail, keeping potential owners in the dark about the joys of adoption.  Let’s debunk the top five untruths about shelter dogs.

 

·         They were dumped for being bad.  “It’s so obviously untrue.” Says Francis Battista, co-founder of the Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah.  “That’s blaming the victim.”

 

Dogs wind up homeless for many reasons, including behavioral issues.  But many, many times these can be fixed with proper attention and training.  Other reasons are owner-related – moving, divorce, an illness, financial hardship, or a new baby.  Sometimes people change their minds about ownership, or they just lose interest.  Other times dogs live a privileged life until the owners die and family members are unwilling to step in.  These circumstances say nothing about the dogs.

 

·         Something’s wrong with the dog.  Yes there is.  She probably had the wrong family.  A young Labrador Retriever runs, a German Shepherd Dog sheds, and a Standard Poodle barks.  Some may label these as deal breakers, while others understand it’s all part of the package.

 

·         They’re sick, mean, or abused.  It’s extremely rare for aggressive or dangerous dogs to be available at shelters or rescues.  Ill dogs are treated prior to adoption.  Issues may crop up later, but that’s the case with any dog, whether she’s adopted or purchased.  Good shelters and rescue groups will carefully evaluate dog temperaments to make sure they are adoptable.

 

·         They’re unable to bond with new owners.  Anyone who has loved a shelter dog will unequivocally say how untrue this myth is.  Adopted dogs exhibit an abundance of bonding and love for their owners, who say they are the most adoring pets they’ve owned.

 

“If you are providing food, shelter, play, exercise – all the things the

dog needs – that dog is going to bond with you,”  Battista says.  “They’re saying thank you all the time.” 

 

Dogs who are given second chances often seem grateful – as if they remember the dark days.

 

“He knows what it’s like to be without.  He identifies you as his salvation…  They’re very grateful, very focused on their heroes,”  Battista says.

 

·         You don’t know what you’re getting.  Actually, because shelter and rescue dogs are typically older adolescents or adults, you can often get a better idea about their personalities than you would from a young puppy.  Rescue groups also work with foster families who house the dogs and learn their quirks.  From the get-go, you can sense personality, appearance, and behavior traits; you aren’t taking home a blank slate.  You might not know the dog’s pedigree or history, but in most cases, it’s the present that counts.