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Let me start out by saying that rescuing an animal in need
is a wonderful, rewarding experience. No matter how many dogs
that I have fostered or adopted, no matter how sick they were
or how afraid or beaten down they were when I got them, no matter
how many times I've been bitten; it makes it all worth my while
when I see that dog go from a frightened, desperate creature
to a warm loving companion with the help of just a little love,
patience and attention. A rescued dog's love and devotion is
unlimited. She will love you for a kind word or a gentle pat.
She will comfort you when you are down. Her loyalty is forever,
if we will nurture her and guide her, giving her the chance to
show her true face.
With that said, let's take a moment to consider all that's involved
in rescuing a dog in need. Chances are good that the dog will
come from a bad situation. You will more than likely find her
at your local shelter, and more often than not, the shelter will
have no background information to give you on the dog's history.
Pay attention to the dog's behavior. Is she friendly or does
she try to hide? When you reach to pet her, does she duck her
head? Does she show any type of aggression? Some dogs that have
been severely mistreated will develop fear aggression. These
guys generally won't bite unless cornered. They have learned
that an approaching human has the potential to cause them harm.
They are generally very poorly socialized, so they class all
people together as aggressors. These guys can still make wonderful
companions, but they will require a lot of work, patience and
understanding on your part. Three key factors to success with
a dog suffering with fear aggression are training, gradual socialization
and a whole lot of love.
Ask questions. Get as much information as you can from the
shelter. How long has the dog been in the shelter? How does she
interact with the shelter employees? How does she react to patrons
visiting the shelter to adopt? How long has she been there? How
is her appetite? Has she been seen by a vet? Has anyone there
attempted to spend any time with her? Will she play?
All of these questions will help you to better understand exactly
what you are dealing with.
Next, consider the dog's health and age. Look her over carefully.
Is she under weight? Is her coat glossy? Is her nose moist? Are
her eyes bright? Do her teeth look okay? Ask the shelter about
any known health concerns. Be aware that a dog in a shelter can
often pick up communicable diseases such as parvo. Ask the shelter
about their cleaning methods. Ask them if they've had any breakouts
of illnesses such as parvo, corona virus or distemper. This is
very important, especially if you have other dogs at home. ALWAYS
make sure that any dogs that already live with you are current
with their vaccinations before bringing home a new dog. Also,
be sure and take your new companion to the vet as soon as possible
for a full check-up including a heart worm test. If the dog has
not already received her vaccinations and heart worm preventative
before adoption, take care of these needs immediately.
Now, on to age. Let me start by saying that there are thousands
of older dogs in shelters waiting for a home. It is common knowledge
that puppies stand a much better chance at adoption than older
dogs. They're cute, they're cuddly and they're often little clowns.
Try to find it in your heart to consider an older dog if you
can. You may be their only salvation. When dealing with a dog
who is 6 years old or older you have to take into account that
she may have more medical needs than a younger dog; she may have
arthritis, her teeth will most likely need cleaning, she may
have other health problems, but she is still a loving creature
in need of a home. When you adopt an older dog, consider the
fact that you are giving her a loving home to live out her last
years and besides, she will most likely be a lot easier to house
train than a puppy!
Finally, just remember that when you rescue a dog from a shelter,
you are making a commitment to an animal with an invisible history.
You won't know all of the challenges that you will face with
her until they arise in daily living. As I said before, many
shelter dogs come from an abusive or neglectful home. They may
have behavioral problems. They may have health problems. They
may not have any problems at all. Just remember that by adopting,
you are agreeing to work through these problems with your companion.
It may seem daunting at times, but you don't have to do it alone.
Join rescue forums and adoption support groups on the internet.
These are valuable resources of information and pointers to get
you through the rough spots. Hire a qualified trainer to help
in the training of your companion. A trainer will be able to
guide you through the process of behavioral rehabilitation with
the least amount of fuss. And last but not least research
research research! There are many good books on the market that
specifically deal with adoption and rescue. You can find a book
list in the research section of this site. Most of the books
can be found at pet shops and bookstores. I hope that this article
has given you a better understanding of what is involved in rescue.
Good luck, and keep those tails wagging!
