Finding My FURever Friend

Happy Tails has returned!  Sorry for my absence but the month of October was quite a busy one for me.  After spending a VERY long summer with my family in Ocala, FL while my husband worked on fixing up our house in NC, I've now finally joined him there and I'm loving the cooler autumn weather, the rolling hills and winding roads, and the simplicity of country life.  I'm also REALLY looking forward to finally beginning my own personal search for a rescue dog to share my new home with me!  So come along with me as I start out on this exciting journey...going step-by-step to carefully learn about, prepare for, and welcome one lucky dog to his/her new FURever home!   

 

Having a dog is like having a child in that it takes a ton of work and preparation, and you still can't escape a few surprises along the way.  It helps to have some guidance so you can at least know where to start when you've decided you want one.  Here are some tips I found to hopefully start me on the right track for a happy life with my new furry companion.

 

MAKE SURE YOU'RE SURE:

 

Getting a dog is no small task, and it's something you'll probably spend the next 10+ years either being happy about or regretting.  Here are some questions you might want to ask yourself and discuss with others in the household before making this commitment:

 

·                         Will your lifestyle still accommodate a dog in five to fifteen years?
·                         Do you have the time for a dog?
·                         What will you do if your new puppy develops serious health issues that make it a special needs dog, like deafness or blindness?
·                         Can you afford the extra expenses of a dog, and any medical expenses that might turn up?
·                         Is your home suitable for the size and type of dog you think you want?

 

You can never be fully prepared for every situation you encounter, but you can be fully committed to finding a way to work through any issue, which is exactly the kind of mentality dog ownership takes.  While the dog is only a part of your life, you and your family are everything the dog has to look forward to.  This means you'll have to provide all the attention, exercise, affection, and care the dog needs.  When going over the details and reaffirming your decision, remember to think of your life both now and in the future because, chances are, your new companion isn't going anywhere soon.

 

START A LIST OF THINGS THE DOG WILL NEED:

 

Lists are one of the best ways to break down any complicated task and make it more manageable, so it's definitely the best way to get started when you've decided you want a dog.  Think about what you'll need before the dog comes home, immediately afterward, and within the first year.  This will help you figure out how your money and time management will change when the puppy comes home.

 

·                         Before you bring home your new family member, try to get all the fun nesting stuff out of the way.  Head to your local pet store and get the collar and leash, food, food and water bowls, a crate, dog shampoo, a brush, and toys or bones.   
·                         Immediately after the dog comes home it will need its initial checkup at the vet's office, flea and tick prevention, etc.  You might also want to schedule puppy training/obedience classes.
·                         Within the first year of a puppy's life you'll need at least three rounds of shots over the first few weeks and, depending on where you get the dog, a spay or neuter appointment.
·                         To keep from turning timid or aggressive, puppies also need to be well socialized with all kinds of people and animals starting at an early age so, once the vaccinations are complete and the vet gives the OK, you should plan to spend time with your pup outside the home at dog parks and with friends and family.

 

These are just a few things to give you an idea of the time and money you'll probably spend, but also think about your personal preferences.  The monetary cost of owning a dog varies but there's no saving on the time and commitment you'll want to give to make sure the dog is healthy and happy.

 

DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT IN A DOG:

 

Choosing a dog is a lot like choosing a spouse.  You'll need to make compromises, but you'll also need to get to know the dog and have your expectations and preferences figured out beforehand.  Start by listing the most important things to you.  Some preferences you might want to consider include:

 

·                         How old do you want your dog to be when it comes home?  By adopting an older dog, you might be able to skip house and crate training whereas a young puppy will require extra training, but you also get to have a greater impact on how the puppy is trained and how it behaves in the long run.
·                         What size dog do you want?  The larger the dog, the more it eats, and the more difficult it can be to handle if you live in a small space.  On the other hand, some of us just like big dogs or live alone and want to feel protected.
·                         Do you have the time, energy, and desire to take long walks every day or do you prefer a companion that's either a little lazier or more self-sufficient?
·                         Are you a beginner who's worried about the difficulty of training a dog?  If so, you'll want a dog that's easier to train and some breeds are more difficult than others.
·                         Do you need a breed that's known for being gentle and well-behaved with small children?

 

FIGURE OUT WHICH BREEDS FIT YOUR LIFESTYLE:

 

There's an exception to every rule, but every breed has its own commonly found characteristics, from high energy to being tough to train.  Even if you've met a dog that's inspired you to want one just like it, research the breed before you get one to have an idea of what you're most likely in for.  Of course, there's always the chance you'll get a mixed breed or a dog you know little to nothing about.  It's still important to do some research so you can go in knowledgeable about what you might look for in terms of personality.  Don't just use your heart when choosing a dog - use your brain, too.

 
WHERE TO GET YOUR DOG:

 
When it comes to figuring out where to get your dog, there are some strong opinions on whether a breeder or a shelter is the better choice but, in the end, it has way more to do with the individual than it does the dog.  As far as I'm concerned, there really is no other choice than going to a shelter for my dog, but it's a huge decision that should be carefully thought out.  Here's some information to help  in choosing between a breeder and a shelter.


With breeders it's much easier to control your outcome, which is great for first-time dog owners or experienced dog owners who have very specific preferences.  With a breeder you stand less of a chance of getting a dog that suffered abuse or a troubled past that may result in poor temperament or other unpleasant surprises.  You can also research reviews of a breeder and get an idea of the medical history of previous litters to know that your puppy will likely live a long, healthy life.  Just like anything else, with getting a dog, nothing is guaranteed but if you choose a breeder, you're increasing your chances of getting what you want with personality, temperament, and health.  Breeders tend to be much more expensive than shelters on average, and the puppies only come home with their first round of vaccinations, so you have more vet visits to consider in addition to forking over more cash.

 

Shelter dogs are more like wild cards in that you often don't know much about their past, what abuse or neglect they might have suffered, or triggers for aggression they might have but there are some awesome benefits to adopting versus shopping, too.  For starters, you get a ton of variety.  If you've done all your research and are still unsure, or feel the need to actually check out the different breeds somewhere other than the internet, a shelter might be the route you want to take.  The staff and volunteers at the shelter are knowledgeable about multiple breeds and personality types, rather than specializing in just one breed, so you'll get well-rounded answers to any questions you have.  At a shelter you have a wide variety of breeds and dogs that could turn out to be the perfect fit.  Shelters are also generally much less expensive.  Your dog will have a relatively small adoption fee and come home up to date on vaccinations as well as already spayed or neutered.  It can be a little more risky, but if rescuing a dog is important to you as it is to me, do it!

 
If you're a first time owner, you just might want to consider easing into adopting a rescue by signing up to foster one first.  By fostering, you're giving a rescued dog a home temporarily until it goes to its FURever home.  This gives you the opportunity to get a feel for what you may or may not be in for with a particular dog.  This could also be an excellent option if you have children and want to see how they get along with the new dog before you make any permanent decisions.  Fostering is not only a safer option for you and your family, it's also a safer option for the dog because it reduces the chances of a dog being adopted from a shelter just to be taken back if things don't work out.

 

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING:

 

Obviously these are just the basics and there's a lot more to consider.  Research your local veterinarians.  Anything you would want in your own doctor's office like cleanliness, knowledgeable staff and doctors, and good patient care are the same things you should look for in your dog's vet.  If you're going to crate train, get the puppy a blanket or grab an old t-shirt and sleep with it without washing it a few times before your puppy comes home.  When he or she arrives, put the blanket in the crate and your scent should help calm the puppy and save you from the horrific barking, howling, and screaming that you might otherwise be subjected to.

 
So, I guess the bottom line here is that I need to do my homework and take my time going through this process.  That may be a lot easier said than done for someone who falls in love with just about any cuddly canine that crosses my path!  Oh well, I guess I'm off to the Google library now to begin researching what type of dog would be the best fit for my lifestyle.  Meanwhile, I'll start saving my money for bringing the dog home and begin  creating the space where the dog will eat, sleep, and play.  Stay tuned to see where the next steps take me in this search for my new furry 4-legged best friend!

 
Happy Tails to you until we meet again!