Rescue Dogs are Forever Dogs
Dogs aren’t things we throw away when they do something that annoys us. Do you pull a Gloria Gaynor when your partner puts the toilet roll on backwards – again? (if they do at all???) and shove them out the door? Pets are companions who take a lifetime of commitment and care. Dog rescue organizations and shelters are kept busy because many treat animals as just another possession.
It seems our lives move too fast to put any real work into relationships, be it a pup or a person. Record numbers of people are living alone and record numbers of pets are either staring through their crates or rolled into balls in their corners at shelters and in allies.
My Westie Side Story
I have a passion for a particular dog breed. This won’t come as a surprise if you follow me on social media. Ever since Earl and I were introduced to West Highland Terriers at a dog show, “Westies” have been a part of our family.
We got our first Westies from a local breeder we had met at that show. He happened to be the president of the West Highland Terrier Association of Quebec, and he was very happy to give us an immersive course in the breed. We soon became the proud parents of our first Westies, Bonnie and Max. Sadly, they both crossed the rainbow bridge in the same year. We were devastated. The house no longer seemed like home. It was eerily quiet without the tip-tapping of thirty-two tiny toenails across the floors. We couldn’t imagine replacing them.
Second-Hand dogs, Just Give me Second-Hand dogs
Bonnie
A few months after our tragedy, I ran into an old high school friend. I had no idea that she was involved in the dog rescue world.
I told her about losing Max and Bonnie to illness and she suggested we consider adopting. She suggested that if we wanted another Westie to check out a rescue organization. It seems there’s a rescue organization for nearly all pure as well as mixed breeds. Who knew? A few weeks later we became the proud parents of Alfee, the wonder Westie.
After discovering Westies in Need, it wasn’t long until Eli became the newest member of our family and Chief Security Officer for i24 Call Management Solutions. I have since become very involved with “W.I.N.” as a donor and a supporter of their fundraising events. My association with these organizations as well as with the Montreal SPCA has exposed me to some horrible stories of animal abuse. I’m moved and inspired by the commitment of their volunteers and staff who work tirelessly to care for and find homes for abandoned pets.
Our first rescue, Alfee was the victim of a puppy mill. Eli was a surrender from a family who realized three years and three children later that they couldn’t give Eli the necessary attention.
Contacts at the Montreal SPCA told me they are worried that even more pets may be turned in or abandoned once COVID restrictions ease and people return to their workplaces. There are pandemic pets who have never been separated from their owners. If separation anxiety was a problem with dogs before the pandemic can you imagine what being alone a whole day would be like? Animals aren’t accessories, they’re living, breathing companions. When we carry our new pets over our threshold, we make a lifelong commitment to love, honour and bestow a ton of treats upon them.
Although I shared my experiences with one particular breed of dog, all pets deserve love and respect – even cats. As Immanuel Kant wrote, (yes, I’m quoting Kant) “We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.”.
If you’re thinking of adopting a pet and want a purebred one because you’re familiar with its traits, I recommend looking at rescue organizations. There’s one for every breed of dog, cat, rabbit, parrot etc. And “Heinz-57” mutts shouldn’t be dismissed. They can also hold wonderful surprises. Because they come from a much larger gene pool, they tend to have fewer congenital diseases. This is true for any pet from fish to ferrets. Mixed breeds are the ultimate designer pet.
Whatever dog you choose, remember you are committing to giving them a lifetime of companionship, love and security. Here are some rescue organization resources that you may find helpful.
Adoption Resources:
Dog Rescue Information & Shelters
Top 10 Reasons to Adopt a Rescue (Labradors)
Project Pet Rescue (List of pet rescue associations)
“Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life.” – James Cromwell
Here are your September Gems.
[click_to_tweet tweet=”“The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.” – Charles de Gaulle ” quote=”“The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.” – Charles de Gaulle ” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”“Dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them’ is making a poop, the other one is carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge?” – Jerry Seinfeld ” quote=”“Dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them’ is making a poop, the other one is carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge?” – Jerry Seinfeld” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.” – James Herriot ” quote=”If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.” – James Herriot ” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.” – Ben Williams ” quote=”There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.” – Ben Williams” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. – Charles Dickens ” quote=”The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. – Charles Dickens” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”Every day is a second chance.” – Anonymous ” quote=”Every day is a second chance.” – Anonymous” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”If it weren’t for second chances, we’d all be alone.” – Gregory Alan Isakov ” quote=”If it weren’t for second chances, we’d all be alone.” – Gregory Alan Isakov ” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”A second chance doesn’t always mean a happy ending. Sometimes, it’s a chance to end things right. – Anonymous ” quote=”A second chance doesn’t always mean a happy ending. Sometimes, it’s a chance to end things right. – Anonymous ” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”That is what life is about. We do not get redos, but we do get second chances. – Jeffrey Fry ” quote=”That is what life is about. We do not get redos, but we do get second chances. – Jeffrey Fry” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”Sometimes losing a pet is more painful than losing a human because, in the case of the pet, you were not pretending to love it. – Amy Sedaris ” quote=”Sometimes losing a pet is more painful than losing a human because, in the case of the pet, you were not pretending to love it. – Amy Sedaris” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”You do not own a dog. You have a dog. And the dog has you. – Chelsea Handler ” quote=”You do not own a dog. You have a dog. And the dog has you. – Chelsea Handler” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”The first time you marry for love, the second for money, and the third for companionship. – Jackie Kennedy ” quote=”The first time you marry for love, the second for money, and the third for companionship. – Jackie Kennedy” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet. – Colette ” quote=”Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet. – Colette” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”In the end, there is no desire so deep as the simple desire for companionship. – Graham Greene ” quote=”In the end, there is no desire so deep as the simple desire for companionship. – Graham Greene” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”No possession is gratifying without a companion. – Seneca Jr. ” quote=”No possession is gratifying without a companion. – Seneca Jr.” theme=”style2″]
[click_to_tweet tweet=”The more one does and sees and feels, the more one is able to do, and the more genuine maybe one’s appreciation of fundamental things like home, and love, and understanding companionship. – Amelia Earhart ” quote=”The more one does and sees and feels, the more one is able to do, and the more genuine maybe one’s appreciation of fundamental things like home, and love, and understanding companionship. – Amelia Earhart” theme=”style2″]
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