Why shop when you can adopt? | By: Grace Cross

The “why shop when you can adopt” mentality has saved millions of dogs lives over the last ten years. People are now considering meeting their best friend through adoption agencies, SPCA’s and county adoptions. Thankfully, long lost are the days where dogs are considered an accessory rather than a lifelong companion and a part of a family. Likewise, we see society change their views on aggressive breeding for small size, certain looks and more. The mutt is as valued as the pure bred. Dogs have established themselves as members of a family and I am thankful for this accepting nature that has spread across society.

However, there is still much work to be done. The way we can continue to help these faithful, loyal furry friends is by acknowledging the challenges rescue dogs may have and how we can help. Yes, everyday people can help.

It would be naïve to say that rescue dogs walk into your life slightly timid but eager to join your pack. Though this can sometimes be the case, it is not the majority of cases across North America. Many rescue centers see “returns” on pets because they are frightened, have health challenges, aggression or health issues. It can be scary to a new adopter to have to deal with any of these things.

I too was nervous. I was in my early twenties when I adopted my first rescue. I remember hearing stories of my maternal grandfather adopting dying dogs from medical experiment labs. It was devastating to hear they would die in his arms so soon after he took them home. However, despite the sad story, I knew those dogs died in a loving man’s arms instead of in a cold lab or being euthanized without feeling grass or knowing what the sun beating down their skin feels like.

I knew I could do this and even though I did not know much, I was willing to learn.

I also channeled my paternal grandfather who was raised a farmer. He taught me to love nature and animals. I remember being young and seeing a snake for the first time on his sprawling property in Upstate New York. Children’s cartoons taught me to fear all snakes. I ran to tell him that this snake was not only there, but right by where were working in the shed. He turned to me, smiled and took me to this garter snake. “He is more afraid of you than you are of him.” He replied. This started my life long journey of “letting nature be” and reading and learning as much as I could about what is safe and what to stay away from. Not what to fear and to immediately destroy.

Fast forward to adulthood, I wanted a furry companion. It is said that our ancestors speak to us and I thought of my grandfathers, both telling me to help and respect beings. I was in my twenties and I was no expert. But I knew I wanted to take the dogs that no one else wanted. This meant taking senior dogs who were sick. Even if they were with me for a few weeks I knew my partner and I could do it. My partner was as passionate as I was.

We started by evaluating what we could handle. Living at the time in a condo in a major city meant for us, having a big dog who needs a big back yard would not be fair with our lifestyle. Secondly, my partner has allergies. Finding dogs that were low shedding meant that everyone could be comfortable. Lastly, we were both comfortable taking sick and dying dogs. They may be with us for a little while, but we had an incredible park near our home and a lot of love to give so we knew that their last few weeks would be relaxing.

Enter Scottie, our Ciaran Terrier and our first rescue. At eleven years old, Scottie’s body had enough. He was blind with some broken bones from an abusive human. He was diabetic and his condition was neglected. He was cared for by a lovely veterinarian student but it was time for her to move abroad with her career. She fostered through an agency and we were pleased to meet Scottie. He was timid. He was almost completely bald from mistreatment.

We had no idea what was about to happen. Did Scottie have a few weeks or a few months?

Over the next year and a half we watched the resiliency and touching nature of this beautiful being. Scottie would faithfully walk behind us as we took him for walks. People would stop and ask us why this little dog trails so happily behind us. We would answer that he wanted to hear our footsteps so he knew where to go.

We learned so much from Scottie and his resiliency. He would follow the parameters of a room so he knew where he was and from there he would map out what obstacles were in the way. He was loving and loyal and lived for just under two years with us.

Our Australian silky terrier who was going to be euthanized in Kentucky for not producing enough babies was thrown down a ventilation shaft. At eleven, Ribbon was a breast cancer survivor. She survived the fall. What is just as amazing as Ribbon is the kind American volunteers who drove her from Kentucky to the Canadian border to be adopted in Canada. Kindness is everywhere.

Ribbon was not given very long to live but I am pleased to say she survived another five years with us! We were so lucky.

Our Yorkshire Terrier Evie was also a dog used for breeding. She was taken during a puppy mill bust in Quebec, Canada. She had never been outside and between her and Ribbon, they had one tooth. Lack of care means decaying teeth. Her jaw was a little soft and I knew that she had to be watched.

We cooked their food every day. While other dogs were learning how to sit and stay, we were teaching Evie how to walk and what grass was. I remember when she saw her first snowfall and she thought it was flies swirling around her. She barked and snapped aggressively, recalling her caged puppy mill time. In a few days, she realized the delight of snowflakes and was calm. Evie was with us for ten years. She was a true Yorkie, had one best friend and was loyal! She was small but mighty!

I can’t tell anyone how much a human will learn from adopting a dog, especially senior dogs that need a home.

Since 2007, we have rescued over 30 animals. Hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs and dogs. They have all taught us so much, had hilarious personalities and really taught us to think about their needs and what they have been through, in order to understand them. We did this as a couple and eventually as our family expanded, with children. I am thankful our children are kind and gentle to animals and know that they are the caregivers of some special souls.

Our toughest rescue was our sweet Bedlington Terrier Whippet Scrappy. Scrappy was found in a forest in Ohio abandoned. He was completely feral. We called and adopted Scrappy. He had no concept of cars driving by or people on bicycles. He knew how to hunt and attack. He could leap into the air like a gazelle. I admired his strength and understanding of nature, but at the same time, Scrappy desperately wanted to belong in a pack and did not know where he exactly fit in our family of four.

We were given some great advice from Muskingham County in Ohio where Scrappy was found. They said the rule of three. The first three days, your pet is learning their surroundings. They may not be themselves. They may not even eat! In three weeks, they realize, okay this is a place I can be settled in. Lastly, after three months, they come to terms that this is their home and you are their family. This is so true in most cases!

For us it was three years. We watched Scrappy go from being feral and always on high alert that someone could attack him or hurt him to being such a cuddler and lying down and playing with our young toddler. I have had many wonderful dogs, but I have seen this dog show us who he really is.

Extremely agile, yet will grab a chew toy and play tug of war to your agility. Yes, without being taught, he will only pull to your strength. He loves his family tremendously and will always want to sit next to someone or be interacting with another. Lastly, he is loyal to his house mate, Rio, a saint of a Bichon Frise Shitzu that will melt your heart with her love. This dog has overcome obstacles and boundaries and changed countries, only to become the heart of our family.

Animals are getting a chance at a regular life with you when you adopt. However, what few tell you is how much you are humbled and learn from them. They are truly a blessing for any family. It can be regular people like myself and my partner, adopting an extraordinary animal. We are lucky to have had them and blessed that they chose us to be their friend.