01/31/2022
In a Perfect World, Every Home Would Have a Dog, and Every Dog Would Have a Home.
I’ve adopted four dogs during my pet-owning years. I violated the second bullet point below when I adopted my first dog Sis. Sis was a retired Malamute sled dog, adopted from the Missoula Montana animal shelter. She was small (for a Malamute) but still barely fit in the back compartment of our two-seater Opel GT.
I had started a new job in Western Montana, my wife was finishing her school year in Northern Idaho. I left work early on Friday afternoon, stopped in Missoula and picked up Sis. Imagine my wife’s surprise when she opened the car door to give me a kiss and a big wet nose was there too. It all worked out and Sis was our companion on many adventures.
If you’ve ever owned a dog, or grew up in a house with a dog, you know they all come with quirks. Adopted dogs usually have an extra layer of quirkiness, brought on by things only they know about.
Pete, our second Golden Retriever mix was adopted when eight months old. But Pete never stopped looking at young children longingly and hopefully. I think Pete always missed his first family and the kids he had as playmates.
Taking on that extra quirkiness is an added challenge for sure. But befriending a lonely dog who may be running out of time as well will bring joy to both of you.
Here are some thoughts about adopting a new friend, courtesy of my local animal shelter Ark-valley Humane Society. (https://www.ark-valley.org/adopt/before-you-adopt/)
First, consider your lifestyle
• Are there other pets in the home? How will this new pet fit in? For dog adoptions, we encourage you to bring the other dogs in your home to the shelter to do a meet and greet to find out if everyone gets along.
• What about family members? Is everyone on board with the idea of getting a new pet? We encourage family members to meet the new pet at the shelter. What do you expect from a pet around your children, your grandchildren, or your neighbors?
• Does anyone have allergies or health issues that might be negatively affected by bringing a new pet into the home?
• What does your work situation and social life look like? How long will the pet be left alone each day? Some pets will be glued to your side, while others prefer their independence.
• What is your housing situation? Are pets allowed by your landlord or homeowner’s association? If so, what kinds and sizes?
• What about exercise? Some pets prefer to be your couch potato buddy, while others would only be happy if included in your marathon training regimen.
• Who will care for your pet when you go on vacation or travel for work?
Don’t forget to consider cost. While it’s hard to know how much a pet will cost from year to year, the adoption fee is very small compared to ongoing expenses.
These will include pet food, routine veterinary care, collars, ID, leashes, licensing (where applicable), supplies, and possibly even training and boarding. An estimate of dog expenses can be found at:
https://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/dog-adoption/annual-dog-care-costs/
And here is another great resource when you are ready to give a dog a home:
https://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/dog-adoption/
