Tag Archives: adopt a dog

Adopt A Senior Pet Month

November 1, 2017 maisiethenewfieandcompany 3 Comments

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month and I can say from experience, it’s one of the best thing I’ve ever done!

Annie was 9 1/2 when we brought her home. She had been in foster care for over a year, but her case was extreme. Most senior dogs that are up for adoption don’t have the emotional and behavioral needs she had.

When you adopt a senior pet:

1. You are saving a life!

2. Seniors have been around, they’ve seen a lot and they have a lot of love to give. They are usually calmer and adaptable to new situations.

3. Seniors don’t demand the same level of exercise or entertainment of a younger dog. They are very happy to curl up by your feet and take a nice long nap.

4. They usually have some training, are house broken and aren’t teething so they aren’t shoe destroyers. Seniors are a lot less work than puppies and you probably won’t need to supervise any middle of the night potty breaks!

5. Don’t believe the old saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. It might take a little while, but senior dogs aim to please and are receptive to training. They will learn the “house rules” in order to earn your love and affection.

6. There is no mystery about how big they will be, what they will look like and what their grooming needs will be.

7. Even though your time will be shorter with a senior pet, I have found that I appreciate each day that much more. There is no lifespan guarantee with our pets but knowing Annie is a senior has reminded me that every moment with her is precious. Pets change our lives, they give us so much love and every day is enriched with my sweet, old girl.

I feel so lucky to have Annie in my life, but it’s not always easy. Seniors need more medical care as they age. (Something all pet owners face at some point.) Twice yearly health checks are recommended so one should be prepared for increased veterinary bills compared to those of a younger and middle-aged pet. Their health can change quickly and must be attended to. Annie just developed an abscess in one of her teeth. She needs to have it removed which requires anesthesia. I’m nervous about that but we will have it taken care of and hope all goes well.

If I had to make the decision again, I wouldn’t change a thing. I know our time is limited, but really, our time is limited with all of our pets. I know that I’ve changed her life. She’s living her best years now and she showers me with love. She acts like she appreciates everything we give her and she is so happy, every day. I also know she’s changed our lives and I treasure every moment.

dogs

National Black Dog Day

October 2, 2017 maisiethenewfieandcompany 9 Comments

Yesterday, October 1st was National Black Dog Day.

This holiday was created to bring awareness to the plight of black dogs in shelters and Black Dog Syndrome.

Black dogs can take up to 4 times longer to get adopted than lighter color dogs. There are several reasons for this starting with the impression that black dogs are perceived as more aggressive than other colors. Any dog lover can tell you that hair color does not determine personality!

Black dogs are harder to photograph, so when shelters post pictures of black dogs it can be harder to see their facial features and people searching online will pass them by. Black dogs also don’t show up as well in the shelters, they blend in with the shadows and if they are shy or scared they may stay in the back of their kennel and are less visible and once again it can be harder to see their facial features.

Personally, I love black dogs and my world wouldn’t be the same without them! I have a lot of black in my wardrobe, and black hair blends in far better than light hair on my dark-colored pants.

We have had two black rescue dogs, Charlie and Annie and would like to give a shout out to some of our favorite black rescue dog friends. We are so glad your forever families didn’t give a hoot about Black Dog Syndrome and took you home to give you your wonderful lives!

Charlie

Annie

We love you Precious, Sammy Davis, Lance, Elsa, Eivor, Mona, Sugar, Rosie, Anna, Geordie, Luna, Barley and so many more!

Annie's second chance

Our heart grows with each dog

Gallery February 23, 2017 maisiethenewfieandcompany 3 Comments

I’m feeling sad today, I just heard that one of the dogs from Annie’s rescue group has passed away. Like Annie, she was a senior girl who survived many years of breeding abuse and neglect.

I think it’s hitting me especially hard because I am out of town right now, and will be for another week. I’ve always known my time with Annie is limited because of her age and this is a reminder that we need to make each day count.

Amber was with her owner for 2 years and had a lovely life with him. He loved her and spoiled her and she learned what a dog’s life should be. Her final meal was a stack of bacon cheeseburgers that she thoroughly enjoyed. Last year she was joined by another, younger Newfie girl from rescue that turned out to be her niece. She was from the same kennel but I think had been one of the many puppies that had been purchased and then later surrendered to rescue. Several other dogs from this kennel have ended up in rescue, another common trend of disreputable breeding practices.

In his tribute to his special brown girl, her owner posted this poem by Erica Jong. It beautifully sums up the feelings of many of us dog owners.

Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love,

they depart to teach us about loss.

A new dog never replaces an old dog,

it merely expands the heart.

If you have loved many dogs your heart is very big.

Rest in peace sweet Amber.

Amber (Autumn) was one of the dogs featured at the end of this blog post: Adopt or shop, just do it responsibly

Annie's second chance

Adopt or shop, just do it responsibly

Gallery November 1, 2016 maisiethenewfieandcompany 11 Comments

It’s happened again, a story about Newfoundlands living in deplorable conditions, used strictly for breeding for profit and finally being surrendered due to the owners declining health. These poor dogs lived outside in extreme heat, never received any veterinary care and didn’t even have names. They were filthy, matted and in poor health. They are all in fair condition but thankfully are under the care of a Newfoundland rescue group. They have been bathed and groomed, probably for the first time in their lives and will be nurtured back to health before being adopted to loving families.

I understand people wanting to buy a puppy for their family. Maybe there is a specific breed they have an affinity for, they don’t want to bring a dog with “baggage” into their family, or any other reason that makes sense for their family. I don’t take a strict adopt-don’t-shop stance, just shop responsibly with care and thought.

I love the Newfoundland breed. Their size, their looks, their loyalty, their need to work and their gentle, sweet personalities. I have had two Newfies that have come directly from breeders and two Newfies that have come from rescue groups. Our very first dog came from a huge Chicago shelter. He was a scraggly terrier mix who still holds a very special place in our hearts. I think there is room for these different preferences, but the caveat to that is that no dog should be used for breeding without care for their well-being.

If you want a pure bred puppy, do your research on breeders and research more than one.

The first step is to go to the national website of the breed you have chosen. They will have a list of approved, reputable breeders. They will probably also have puppy information page with contact information for someone to answer your questions.

A reputable breeder will want to meet you to determine if your family is the right placement for one of their puppies. They will want to get to know you and form a relationship that can carry on through the life of the dog. They will most likely choose which puppy they will place with your family based on your family dynamic and the puppy’s personality.

After you have found a breeder that you like, you will probably have to wait a while for your puppy. You might get turned down, don’t be offended, the breeder just wants the best for their puppies and wants to make the best placement possible. They will always want the dog returned to them if circumstances change and you can no longer care for the dog. They will make every effort with their breeding to ensure a healthy litter. They will also provide appropriate vaccinations and health screenings before sending them to their new homes. A reputable breeder has nothing to hide and will want you to come to their property to meet their dogs and puppies. IF YOU CAN’T MEET THE MAMA , DON’T BUY THE PUPPY! A reputable breeder WILL NOT sell to pet stores or on-line because they will want to know where their puppies are going.

Red flags:

1. releasing a puppy prior to 8-10 weeks of age (this varies by breed and recommendations stated by the national breed group should be followed).

2. advertising “rare” colors that don’t comply with breed standard. Colors that don’t comply with breed standard are mismarks and with ethical breeding shouldn’t happen. Dogs that are a rare color often times have genetic health issues that affect their quality of life. (Ex. for Newfoundlands: beige, fawn or champagne.) Deliberately creating rare colors is careless and is generally done for profit only.

3. offering to meet you half way when you are picking up your puppy so that you don’t see the breeder’s property.

Don’t buy a puppy from a pet store or on-line. They may advertise their puppies as AKC but receiving AKC registration papers does not mean that puppy has been carefully and ethically bred, it just means they are a specific breed. It doesn’t guarantee they come from healthy, carefully screened parents. Genetic health issues are frequently passed on litter to litter because the main objective of the breeder is to make money without regard to genetics.

Ethically bred puppies rarely end up in rescue or in shelters. For the NCA rescue region that handled Annie’s group, 1% of Newfoundlands come from reputable breeders and 4% are strays. The remaining majority come from backyard and commercial breeders (these breeders sell online and to pet stores).

If there is a breed you love and you want a puppy or dog right now, Petfinder is a good resource. I found Annie and Charlie on Pefinder by searching for Newfoundlands. Many, but not all, rescue groups and shelters will post animals that are ready for adoption. You can also contact the specific breed rescue group in your area. You will need to fill out an application, have a conversation with the person who is fostering or caring for the dog and will probably have to have a home visit before you are approved. These dogs have already come from a circumstance that wasn’t good for them. The people who have taken them in will want to make every effort to ensure that they are going to a good home, they don’t want them to end up in another inappropriate situation.

Shelters all over the country are overflowing with animals looking for good homes. Puppies get adopted pretty quickly and might not be available, but there are so many rewards to bringing in a dog that is a little older (two bonuses of an older dog are easy house training and no chewing). Many shelter dogs are mixed breed and will live very healthy lives because they haven’t been improperly bred by an unethical breeder. Our first dog Bogart lived to be almost 15 and didn’t have any major health issues. They are all looking for love and often times you will find your perfect pet by paying them a visit and looking into their eyes. Many people who have found their beloved pets at a shelter say they knew immediately which one would be the one. Adopting from a shelter is one of the many steps to eliminating the breeding abuse of animals. If the demand isn’t there, puppy mills and unethical breeders will go out of business!

Pets change our lives and bring so much to our families. They are forgiving and loyal and will love you unconditionally forever. All they want in return is love and kindness. They are a big responsibility and the decision to get a pet should not be made lightly. Annie was the most challenging dog I’ve ever dealt with. She had lived her whole life producing puppies with little to no human interaction. She had never learned to trust because she had been so neglected and had no reason to believe that she could be cared for in a loving manner. She is now my constant companion and craves as much attention as possible. I can’t imagine my life without her. Shelter, health care, food and water are the obvious needs to be provided but attention, affection, and engagement will guarantee the best friend you’ve ever had, for life.