Before I explain why adopting from a shelter is a much better option for pups here is a little side note/ sappy story. Sammy, my Miniature Australian Shepherd, was a rescue pup. But he was more of a blessing in my eyes.
We had gotten word from a family friend about someone giving away a puppy (about 4-5 months old), and if no one took him in he was going to be sent to the pound. In his previous home, he was put in a cage too small for him which caused a development of hyperextended paws. This then caused him to flap instead of place his paw when he walked. Sammy was put in the cage very early in the evening and the previous owners placed a blanket over the cage and then proceeded to leave him there till morning. He was "potty trained" by not receiving water, and when we adopted him they "ran out" of food to give us. This poor, malnourished, mistreated pup stole our hearts and came right into our home. He gave us 7 wonderful (and very unplanned) puppies with our first, older Aussie named Abbey, and was my companion for about 7 years. All of those puppies went to family members or close friends and we kept the runt of the litter, April. Unfortunately, Sammy had gotten extremely ill a year ago and we had to make a very hard decision to put him to sleep. It was heartbreaking because Sammy was such a sweet and kind-hearted pup.
But when I look back at how wonderful he was as a dog I think back and ask myself what would have happened to him if he had gone to the pound? What would his life have been like if we hadn't of rescued him? But then I even further ask myself, would he even had made it to his 1st birthday?
The answer is mostly likely no. Dogs in the pound as we all probably know do not last long and if these dogs aren't adopted they get put to sleep. Some people may look at "pound dogs" as damaged, or too old but they are actually just the opposite. Not only my story, but there are many others that you can type into google, just to see how wonderful rescue dogs truly are. These dogs just want a chance at life and are only looking for someone to love them unconditionally.
Without adopting Sammy I would've never had company while I slept. I would've never giggled when he used to sleep on his back in my room. I would've never experienced his sleepy eyes when he slept till noon with me. I would've never had a "go for a ride?" companion. I would've never known how hard it was to leave him when I left for college and I would've never experienced his overwhelming love and kisses when I came home. I would've never had a snuggle buddy, and I would've never been able to spoil him with treats and love.
Most of all the 7 other families, including mine, wouldn't have been blessed with these little pieces of him in their homes. Even though Sammy didn't live as long as I had hoped, I still love to think back at how I got to give him a second, and an even better chance at life.
So before you go out and buy from a breeder, maybe think twice about the little bundle of joy waiting for you behind those cages at the pound. Because I know my next slice of heaven will come from a shelter.
