If you’re thinking about getting a furry friend to keep you company, consider adopting a rescue dog instead of buying from some dodgy breeder. Not only will you save a life, but you’ll get the best wet kisses a dog can offer.
Plus, who needs a perfectly polished purebred when you can have a mixed breed mutt with a heart of gold? So, next time you’re in the market for a new furry friend, skip the over-priced breeder and head to your local shelter to find your next best buddy. Trust me, you’ll never regret it.
Dogs are the very best
There’s no denying it – canine companionship is the ultimate antidote to a bad day. Sure, cats might be cute and all, but can they chase a ball or lick your face with the same unbridled joy and enthusiasm? Unlikely. Dogs are the very best because they offer a level of companionship that can’t be found anywhere else.
They’ll never judge you, no matter how many times you mess your life up. They don’t care about any of that simply because… THEY JUST LOVE YOU! They’ll always be there to lend an ear, or paw, when you need it and how can anyone resist the charms of a furry best friend is beyond me. Dogs just have a way of making life a little bit better, don’t they?
Healthy hearts
You know what they say – a dog’s love is the best medicine! Apparently, science agrees. Studies have shown that owning a dog can decrease your blood pressure, reduce stress, and even decrease your cholesterol levels. It’s like having a furry little doctor on your team! Plus, it’s a guaranteed way to get some great exercise and fresh air.
Don’t just take my word on this… let’s look at the facts.
Dog owners:
- have a 24% lower risk of dying from heart disease compared to those who don’t own one
- and are 54% more likely to hit their daily exercise requirements than those without a pooch.
Of course, you might trip over the silly mutt and end up impaled on the dishwasher, so it’s swings and roundabouts…
And let’s not forget the mental health benefits – dogs have a way of bringing joy and companionship into our lives that can’t be beaten. So next time someone tells you that having a dog is a big responsibility, just remind them of the upside – a happier, healthier life with a loyal bestie by your side!
The furry burglar alarm
When it comes to keeping your home safe from intruders, there’s one furry friend that does the job better than any security system out there: a good ol’ dog.
According to recent statistics, homes with dogs are 33% less likely to be targeted by burglars than those without. That’s because dogs have a natural instinct to protect their pack. Plus, who needs an over-priced home security system when you’ve got a four-legged alarm? If a stranger even thinks of stepping foot on your property, your dog will know about it, and their barking will alert you and your neighbours… and your neighbours’ neighbours.
The Impact of the Pandemic and the Cost of Living Crisis
During the pandemic, the streets were empty, meeting up was banned, and hoarding toilet paper like it was gold dust was the newest and most exciting pastime. But amidst all that chaos, a new trend emerged – dog ownership. Everyone and their grandma suddenly had a furry companion to keep them company during those long days of social isolation.
Fast forward to today, and the streets are once again bustling with people and shares in toilet paper have totally bottomed out. But there’s just one problem: all those dogs that were once adored and cherished are now being dumped at rescue centres.
But it’s not only the pandemic that is causing this, the Cost of Living Crisis is also playing its part. More and more dogs are ending up in rescue centres because their owners just can’t afford to take care of them anymore. Loved family pets that have spent all of their lives with the same humans are reluctantly being given up.
Having grown up with dogs, I can imagine how awful it would be to have to give away such a close member of the family. But unlike us soppy humans, mutts are more resilient. They will always love their family, but that won’t stop them from loving you if you adopt them. They’ll be forever grateful and will love you just as much.
Why you should get a rescue dog and not a puppy
First off, there is a growing industry for unscrupulous dog breeders who prioritize profit over the welfare of the animals they are breeding. It’s important to remember that it’s not all dog breeders who do this, but with puppies retailing in their thousands, there is a market to make a quick buck from exploiting buyers who are easily seduced by a cute puppy.
So if your mind is set on a puppy, then please, do your research. Buy only from reputable breeders and ALWAYS go and inspect their facilities before buying. And this advice is the same for cats or any animal.
And talking of money (which I hate, but it is what it is) rescue dogs are cheaper to ‘buy’. I put ‘buy’ in inverted commas because when adopting a rescue animal, there is always a fee. This is a lot less than you would pay for a puppy. And there are other benefits also.
Rescue dogs are:
- house-trained
- chipped
- vaccinated
- and neutered.
This is because the charities that home rescue dogs make sure that the animals that pass through their centres are properly looked after. And depending on the rescue organisation, they may continue to offer support with vet bills and other expenses.
Some downsides
Getting a nervous rescue dog can come with its own set of challenges. While adopting a rescue dog can be a rewarding experience, it’s important to be aware of the potential negatives.
A nervous rescue dog may take some time to adjust to their new environment and may require extra patience and attention from their owner. The dog may display anxious behaviour, such as barking excessively or exhibiting destructive tendencies like chewing on furniture or shoes. These behaviours can be frustrating for owners and can lead to further stress for both the dog and the human.
Additionally, a nervous dog may struggle with socialization and may be more prone to aggression towards other dogs or humans. However, with dedicated care, training, and patience, a nervous rescue dog can still become a loving and loyal companion.
Please remember that not all rescue dogs are like this, but it’s important to be aware of the issues that may arise. However, getting a rescue dog isn’t a lottery. Rescue centres spend time getting to know their animals and they will be able to give you a full rundown of the issues of any dog you are potentially thinking of adopting.
And you will be vetted too! Rescue centres want to find forever homes for their dogs. So it’s important you and your mutt fit together. Getting any dog is a serious commitment, and a rescue dog is no different.
Rescue Jack (aka The Dark Lord)
Here is Jack, our Romanian rescue – part Collie, part German Shepard, part Irish Wolfhound, part… mad bastard. And what a beautiful lad he is.
When we got him from the New Moon Romanian Dog Rescure Centre, we knew of his issues. Separation anxiety, barking at dogs, at humans, and at everything else, pulling on the lead and a fierce streak of independence and rebelliousness.
But over the two and a half years we’ve had him, and with lots of patience (and some impatience), and hundreds of walks, he’s so much better than he used to be.
Nowadays, he no longer barks at humans on the street, although he barks when people arrive (I think he’s just affronted). He occasionally barks at other dogs on the lead, but that’s getting better and his lead skills are now almost perfect.
The only real problem is that he’s not very good off the lead when we walk him on the Downs and elsewhere. His recall is great, normally, but if he sees another dog or a human, he will run at them barking like a loon, and its like we’re not there.
It can be quite scary for them, however, he never bites humans or other dogs. But such behaviour means he can’t be off the lead as much as we would want him to be. And he does so love chasing rabbits, drinking from mud-filled puddles and sniffing out pheasants.
Having said all that, he is the most adorable fellow. And not one bit hindered by his stunning good looks! He doesn’t have a bad bone in his body.
We knew of Jack’s issues and we were more than happy to still take him in. But there are hundreds of other dogs with and without problems waiting for adoption. If you want a loving mutt at your side, I suggest you take a look at the following charities, or charites closer to wherever you are living in the world!
WOOF!
Local to me: East Sussex:
– New Moon Romanian Dog Rescue Centre: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NewMoonRomanianDogRescue/
– Animal Samaritans Rescue & Rehoming Centre: https://animalsamaritans.org/
– The Dog & Cat Shelter: http://dogandcatshelter.com/
– RSPCA East Sussex: https://www.rspca.org.uk/local/east-sussex-branches
– Southdown Animal Rescue Charity: https://southdownanimalrescue.co.uk/
UK:
– The Dog’s Trust: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/
The CInnamon Trust: https://cinnamon.org.uk/
– Battersea Dogs & Cats Home: https://www.battersea.org.uk/
– RSPCA UK: https://www.rspca.org.uk/
– Marie’s Dog Rescue: http://mariesdogrescue.co.uk/
– The Mayhew Animal Home: https://themayhew.org/
– Wood Green, The Animals Charity: https://www.woodgreen.org.uk/
– All Animals Matter Rescue CIC: http://aamrescue.co.uk/
– Dogs For Good: https://dogsforgood.org/
– Animals In Need: https://www.animalsinneed.co.uk/
– SafePaws Rescue UK: http://www.safepawsrescueuk.org/
– Blue Cross Animal Charity: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/
Harry is better. He is pure chihuahua. Jack is lovely though and would give Scooby Doo a run for his money.
Excellent post!. With some favorable reasons to adopt.
Pet adoption is the way to go! One thing to take note of is the significantly lower risk of hereditary conditions that come with purebred canines.
Such as Patella luxation, hip dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, other heart diseases, the dreaded brachiocephalic disease (those cute smushy-faced dogs come with health conditions, and are not fun to monitor during and after anesthesia), mutated genes, and multiple inherited cancers, etc. You get the drift.
Overall, the benefits I’ve mentioned include lower costs for the pet owner and a healthier and happier canine companion.