Adopt Don't Shop

You’ve decided that now is the right time to add a furry companion to your family! That is so awesome! You go to your local shelter to walk around and look at all the dogs that are available for adoption. Great job on deciding to adopt and not shop! As you’re walking past all the dog kennels, you’ve noticed that a lot are barking and sound scary, don’t seem friendly, or are cowered in the back of their kennel looking very sad. There’s not a dog that comes up to you like a friendly puppy and they all seem too sad or scary to take home. So, you leave the shelter empty handed and go buy a puppy from Craigslist instead. NO! STOP! GO BACK!

You’ve got it all wrong! See, even though the dogs at the shelter are very well taken care of, they are very scared, confused, sad, and even sometimes depressed. Do you know how they got in that position to begin with? Yep, you guessed right. It was humans that did that to them. It could’ve been your friend, your next door neighbor, a co-worker, someone you trusted. Surrendering your dog to a shelter or rescue is not something that should be done because you’re fed up, mad, frustrated. It’s a decision that should be very well thought out and should be used as a last resort option. These are the heartbreaking reasons I’ve seen people dump their dog: “I’m moving and can’t take my dog with. I’m pregnant and the dog is acting weird. I just had a baby and I don’t have time for the dog anymore. The dog has pee accidents in the house.” Trust me, I’ve heard it all!

As a Canine Companion volunteer at Nebraska Humane Society, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting several dogs. Dogs that are jumping like crazy because they have to go pee so bad and just want to get out. Dogs that are barking like crazy because I’m the 1,254,267^th person they’ve seen walk past their kennel. Dogs that are so scared and won’t come to me unless I sit in their kennel until they feel comfortable. Dogs that sound and even look scary because they are unsure of humans. But do you know what all these dogs have in common besides being a dog? They are NOTHING like that once you get them outside in the real world. Now, I’m not saying that some dogs don’t have issues that will still need to be worked on once adopted, but the first step is giving them the chance to begin with.

In my experience so far as a dog volunteer, dogs that are dumped at the shelter sometimes develop issues while at the shelter because of all the strangers around, other dogs barking, a million different unfamiliar smells, or confusion and sadness of their family leaving them there. I’m not a behavior expert by any means. This is simply just from my perspective and experience of spending time with dogs. It doesn’t mean these issues can’t be fixed but like with any dog, including puppies, it takes time, patience, love, & compassion. The dogs you see at the shelter are just like any other dog. Only because their humans failed them, doesn’t mean they are any less worthy. Some love to play fetch, some love to go on walks, some love humans, some love dogs, some don’t prefer other dogs, some love belly rubs, some love butt scratches, some aren’t good around kids, most of them love treats, and ALL of them are good dogs!

Giving the dogs a chance to meet you outside of their kennel is the best way to get to know the dog and even sometimes a meet and greet can be overwhelming for the dog and for you. First impressions aren’t always right! Keep in mind that getting a dog that best fits your lifestyle and being committed to the dog through the end of their life is what will keep that dog out of the shelter system. Please understand that these dogs aren’t like shopping for a new outfit. Some don’t look their best and some don’t act their best, but know that given the chance and time, they will show you their true personality and give you all the love. So next time you’re at your local shelter, give the dog barking like crazy a chance. Give the dog looking sad and just laying there a chance. Give the dog jumping up and down a chance. Give the senior dogs a chance. Give any dog a chance that you will be 150% committed to through the end of their life because by you choosing to adopt you are literally saving their life and other lives!

With Love & Pawsitivity,

Susie Cogswell, Cogs Dogs Mom

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Dogs are awesome, cute & goofy right? Yes, they are but they are also a responsibility and a commitment through the end of their life. I thought I knew quite a bit about dogs since I had one as a kid and wrote school papers about them, but it wasn't until about three years ago, where I started learning about dogs in shelters, dog abandonment, pet ownership responsibility, and BSL (breed specific legislation).

While I personally don't think of taking care of my senior dogs as "work" because I'm extremely passionate about dogs and it's part of my every day, I'm not naïve about the fact that dogs are "work" for a lot of people, and that's ok. What's important to know is that dogs don't just sit there and be quiet. They need exercise, guidance, stability, routines, vet care, love, etc. They cost money and they require time and energy from their humans to provide them with the best possible life!

Since volunteering at Nebraska Humane Society these past few months, I've been able to learn even more about dogs and why their families abandon them. There are times (very extreme cases) where the owner has passed away, got ill unexpectedly, etc. But for the most part, the reasons people abandon their dogs at the shelter or tied to a tree are just excuses to not be the responsible pet owner that they should be when making the decision to get a dog. Don’t get a puppy (or any age dog) just because you want a cute breed or because you think it will help you start working out. As that puppy gets older and bigger in size in some cases, the dog starts to show behaviors that aren't preferred, like chewing on things, having accidents in the house, pulling on leash while on walks, and even aggressive or reactive behaviors. In some cases, people have had their dog their entire life (I've seen over 10 years) and an inconvenience happens and they think the best possible outcome for their dog is to dump them at the shelter?! What people don't do is ask for help in these cases. There are so many options available to people that can help correct behaviors versus having to get rid of your dog. There are trainers you can hire and even some rescues/shelters provide free training classes if you adopt from them. The key here is consistency. Once the trainer leaves, YOU have to put in the time and work to keep the training consistent for your dog.

Some of the excuses I've read on surrender paperwork and read in so many stories are "I moved to an apartment that doesn't take dogs. I can't afford vet care. No reason at all. I had a baby and no longer have time for the dog." The list goes on and on. While some may argue that these are valid reasons, I wholeheartedly disagree. From my experience, people even lie on paperwork to justify the reasons for abandoning their dog. The story doesn't add up sometimes. In the case of not being able to afford vet care, they certainly can afford Netflix, going out on Saturday nights, buying the latest iPhone, etc. Again, there are several programs out there that help with this and even offer free food and low cost spay/neuter. People aren't willing to give up certain things because it's inconvenient or uncomfortable for them in order to take care of the dog they chose to get.

When you choose to get a dog, you are signing up for a lifetime commitment through better and worse. It's not until you don't feel like taking care of the dog anymore or when you get married, or have a baby, or move, or blah blah blah. Even as great as NHS and several other shelters and rescues are, the amount of emotional and physical stress it puts on a dog when you dump it at a shelter is unimaginable unless you've seen it and experienced it. I've seen super awesome dogs come into shelters and deteriorate to the point of no rehabilitation all because someone didn't take their commitment seriously and now that dog is not adoptable and humane euthanasia is the only alternative. Think about that! When you surrender your dog at a shelter, you are potentially giving them a death sentence. Not because the shelter or rescue wants to, but because the dog becomes in danger of themselves or others due to the amount of emotional and/or physical stress they experience.

Before you add a dog to your family, consider and be truthful to yourself about the following.

1. Can I afford to take care of a dog's basics needs including vet care, food, medicine, etc.?
2. Am I willing to sacrifice my own time to ensure my dog gets enough exercise and time with their humans?
3. Am I willing to make sacrifices to keep my dog through their entire life? i.e. Move to a place that accepts dogs? Hire a trainer? Adjust my lifestyle? Be patient while my dog decompresses & adjusts to a new environment?
4. Am I willing to keep my dog and others around them safe by setting boundaries for both humans and the dog?
5. Will I have a plan for the dog in the event of an emergency? i.e. Who will take care of my dog if I get sick and had to stay in the hospital?

If you answered yes to all of these questions, then you're serious about adding a furry member to your family! Now, go stop at your local shelter or rescue and be prepared to have your heart changed forever!

With Love & Pawsitivity,

Susie Cogswell, Cogs Dogs Mom

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