Are You Ready for a Rescue Dog?

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Lucy, Jake, George and I were at the park going for a walk today when we came upon a woman who had two small dogs. One of the dogs was barking and just uncontrollable, not behaving very well. We stopped to talk to the woman about it and her instant explanation was that he was a rescue. What a cliche that has become. It seems everywhere I go when a dog is misbehaving the owner says “She is a rescue,” and that is somehow supposed to excuse this bad behavior. Now we all understand that when we do take on a rescue dog sometimes there are some behavioral problems, but it’s not an excuse for a lifetime of this behavior. When we take on a new dog we take on the responsibility of training and spending time doing what you need to do to make that dog both a good companion and a good community dog.

I know this stance will not make me very popular, but if you’re not willing to take the time, or invest the money in training, then maybe a rescue is really not the type of dog you need. You might be better off going to a good breeder who has started the training for you; someone who has already done the beginning of socialization and has raised the puppy in a loving family environment that will fit in with your lifestyle. You will still need to invest time and money in training but you know you are not dealing with a dog that has been abused or mistreated.

A great article to read before going forward with pet adoption is this one from the Humane Society: Are You Ready To Adopt A Pet? Ten Questions

That said, there is no better feeling than taking a rescue dog and working with that animal to help it overcome its past — to watch an animal that has been abused learn how to be a dog, learn how to be a pet and learn how to be well behaved part of your family. What a wonderful feeling when you see this animal blossom; but don’t think that comes without a lot of work and money. Sometimes you will have to hire a private trainer or someone who specializes in animals with behavior problems. But being a rescue is not an excuse for animal to continue to misbehave.

Before you adopt a dog that has been abused or traumatized you need to take a good look at yourself and your family situation. You need to be honest. How much time are you willing to dedicate to this dog? How much money do you have to put into rehabilitation? How much experience do you have? One question that I think is overlooked most of the time is whether the whole family has agreed to be part of the rehabilitation of this animal. These are questions that should be answered before anyone takes on an animal that has behavioral problems.

If you don’t have the experience, the patience, or the money, then you need to give a second thought to rescuing a dog that has emotional problems. It does not make you a bad person or any less of a dog lover, it’s just a reality. The last thing we want is to add to the problems this animal already has. Try and make sure that the dog that you adopt does not have problems that you are not ready to handle. After all, it’s a lifetime commitment.

Here is a great website for training rescue dogs and a great place to start out: Rescue Doggie

Be safe and have fun!

Baggage

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When I rescued Domino he was 4 years old. He started his life by being abandoned on a beach in South Carolina. He was a lucky boy and was taken to a no-kill shelter Paws Place Inc. where he was adopted out several times and then returned for one reason or another. The last time a man with two sons adopted Domino but the man brought him back because “his kids did not feed him on time.” After that Domino was depressed and he started to lose weight because he would not eat, so the shelter Domino the dogplaced him in a foster home. That is where I first met him. When Domino came home with me he was very reserved. He did not play with humans. He would just sit and watch my family, not sure he wanted to join in. You could see that he was guarding his heart. He was not going to fall in love with another family just to be discarded. It took Domino 4 months to decide to be part of my family and it was nothing that I did. My niece Rachel was coming down for her summer visit. Rachel’s dad had passed away a couple of years earlier and since then she always spent a week or two with Aunt Robin in the summer. This special day we planned a day at the lake. We rented a pontoon boat and some jet skis – of course the dogs came along. It was having all the kids around for the week that brought Domino out of his shell. I am telling you the truth when I say I could see the look on his face when he decided it was safe and he wanted to be part of my family. Domino is now 14 years old loves to go for walks or play at the dog park. He still does not play with humans, but he will let you pet him and once in a while he will bestow upon you one of his rare kisses. Rachel is now 22 years old and will be down for her visit this week. I am so lucky that my life has been full of people like Rachel and dogs like Domino. Following is a poem that was given to me the day I adopted Domino. I may not know a lot of things; but I do know I never want to add Baggage!

Happy domino

Baggage

By Evelyn Colbath, (c)1995, All rights reserved

Now that I’m home, bathed, settled and fed,

All nicely tucked in my warm new bed.

I’d like to open my baggage

lest I forget

There is so much to carry –

So much to regret.

 

Hmm . . . Yes there it is, right on the top.

Let’s unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss;

And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame.

As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave –

I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.

I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,

But I wasn’t good enough – for they didn’t want me.

Will you add to my baggage? Will you help me unpack?

Or will you just look at my things –

And take me right back? Do you have the time to help me unpack?

To put away my baggage, to never repack?

I pray that you do –

I’m so tired you see, But I do come with baggage –

Will YOU still want ME?