The decision to bring a dog into your home, and into your life, should NOT be taken lightly. Many people underestimate the dedication and commitment that is involved, and not knowing what to expect leads to failed dog adoptions. Make no mistake; you are “adopting” the dog, just as if it were an additional family member. With devotion, love, and patience—that is exactly what he will be; and never will anyone be more committed to you!
On the flip side, let’s look at some ugly statistics: every year, over two million unwanted dogs are abandoned by their owners and eventually killed in shelters. Many wonderful rescue organizations exist to find “furever homes” for some of them; others live out the last days of their lives in a cage, wondering what they did to deserve it.
You can be part of the solution by being a responsible pet owner. Do not buy a dog from a pet store or factory breeder. By that, I mean a breeder who keeps their female dogs pregnant constantly, producing litter after litter of income-producing pups. Good breeders know the healthiest dogs and puppies are produced by infrequent breeding. Consider a rescue dog. In every state, there are thousands of dogs, even puppies, temporarily housed in shelters and rescue agencies just waiting for someone to come and give them a good home. Do an online search for rescue dogs in your area, and you will find information and photos of the dogs that are available. Finally, be sure your dog is taken care of; keep up with his or her shots, and if you do not intend to breed, spay or neuter early.
As mentioned earlier, a dog is a big commitment. Your dog looks to you for everything—food, health care, training, grooming, and lots of love and affection. Do you have time, and the necessary resources, to care for your dog properly? Vet visits, walks, baths, training, and socialization are all vital to his well-being. Are you and the others in your home, flexible and easy-going? Yes, your puppy will have some accidents, and maybe tear up a few things. Is everyone patient enough to deal with a little uproar till he matures?
If you are reading this book, you will get some awesome tips on caring for your dog—from what to feed him, to how to train him, and what to do if he is sick. If you are a dog lover, following the guidance in this book will lead to a happy relationship for both of you!
