12/23/2021
This is a great read. We hope that everybody adopting a new pet this Holiday Season understand the kind of commitment they are signing up for.
Have a safe and wonderful Christmas 🎄🎅🧑🎄
**EXPECTATION VS REALITY**
A great many dogs find their way to OCAS because of the simple difference between expectation and reality. People will often adopt a specific dog because they expect to get a picture perfect pet. A dog worthy of Instagram or Facebook posts. A dog that they can leave home alone, that will cuddle with their kittens, a dog that will immediately make friends with every other dog it meets. And when a dog fails to meet these expectations, they are unceremoniously surrendered or returned.
The reality is, every dog is different. There are factors in a dog's past experiences that can affect their behavior. Dogs, like people, will have their likes and dislikes. Environment, socialization, traumas; all these things can play a part in affecting current behavior. Even training can have negative effects on the way a dog will act.
The reality is, you can have the expectations. You can have that well behaved dog, worthy of a viral social media reel. But as an adopter, and a responsible pet owner, the work is going to have to be put in by you. The keys are patience, kindness, and maybe just a little bit of empathy: the basic ability to understand, and share, the feelings of another.
The first step will always be understanding. Understanding that you've adopted a living creature that needs you. Whose entire world revolves around you. They're going to make mistakes. They're going to test their boundaries, and yours. They're going to be destructive, stubborn, and they're going to test your patience.
Expectations:
Expect it to be difficult. Expect to want to give up. Do not expect perfection. Expect destruction and messes. Expect to fall in love.
Reality:
You will come to understand them. You will come to accept their missteps and their flaws. You will come to realize that everything they do is unique to them. And you will come to never, ever be able to imagine your life without them.
