Today we adopted a dog and the experience has led me to believe that everyone should consider it. Here are a few reasons why :
You have the opportunity to save a dog’s life
Adopting a dog, whose alternate future may only hold confinement and isolation, can prove to be rewarding both ways. The system in place for stray and unwanted dogs is one that has been ever-failing. More often than not, the shelters are overcrowded and can lead to the death of dogs who aren’t deserving of that fate. By adopting a dog, it is saving a dog and giving them a second chance at life. But that is only one side of the coin. Flip it over and you’ll see that saving a dog’s life will improve yours. Bringing Bailey home immediately brought positive energy between my family members and excitement into the house. It’s a happier home because she’s here now.
It makes you a more responsible person
Getting a dog is serious business, with a dog, comes great responsibility! Having a dog requires walks, scheduled meal times, house training, and more. You have to be able to give him or her the time it needs and the attention it requires to be happy. When we decided to adopt a dog from the shelter, my family and I had to discuss our daily schedules and traveling plans. We had to discuss our budget for the dog and ensure could afford her vaccinations and vet visits.
You now have someone who will give you unconditional love
Dogs love to love. They have tender hearts that enjoy spreading happiness around to everyone they meet. Dogs will love you and lick you not only on your best days, but on your worst days as well. From the moment you adopt a dog, he or she loves you, unconditionally. The moment we stepped into the animal shelter, all of the dogs were jumping up and down and smiling with joy. When we got closer to their crates, the dogs would lick the windows, trying their very hardest to get out of their confined space to run and give us kisses. When we first played with Bailey at the shelter, we knew she was the perfect dog for us and we loved her right away.
You encourage others to adopt from a shelter
We were referred to “Wright-Way Rescue” by our friend, Patrick, that had just adopted a dog. When we brought Bailey home and invited our friends over to meet her, we talked about the process of adopting a dog and how we were instantly filled with joy the second we got to call her ours. Similar to us being inspired by Patrick, our friends began to consider adopting a dog themselves. Knowing that there was a possibility we could be a part of someone else saving another dog was heartwarming.
All of these reasons don't just apply to dogs, if you are not a dog person, there are many other animals at the shelter that need a home. Please consider the better life you could give to an animal in need.
