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On Saturday I adopted another dog.
After several years of being petless, we adopted a great golden retriever about 18 months ago whose owner, a local graduate student, didn’t want it anymore. He’s turned out to be a great pet and companion. So now that we’ve settled in for quite a while with one dog, I thought we might be ready for a second. After visiting nrvanimalshelters.com and looking at potential pets up for adoption throughout the NRV, I found a little dog that looked interesting, so we went down to the Pulaski Humane Society to check her out. She proved to be a mild-mannered dog and a bit on the quiet side. We took our golden along with us to see how he might get along with a new animal. They got along well except when Cedar, the golden who is about eight times bigger than the little dog, would get in her face. She would show her teeth and give him a growl telling him to keep his distance. So, although quiet, she had a little spunk and was awfully cute. We ended up saying “yes” to the new dog. The adoption fee was only $15 and it cost another $70 for a spaying certificate. She goes back to the shelter in early January for her procedure. So a couple hours after leaving home with one dog, we returned with a second. But this commentary is not necessarily about my dog, who is yet unnamed but we’re leaning toward Holly (a nice complement to Cedar). As usual, a visit to a local shelter is heartbreaking in that so many great potential pets sit waiting for a new home. In our time at the Pulaski Humane Society I spoke with various employees and volunteers about the animals in their facility. Strays had been picked up. Lots of big, healthy cats were available. They had more beagles than I had ever seen at one shelter. “We have so many great dogs right now,” said one employee. When I asked a volunteer how many volunteers they utilized the answer was, “Not enough.” So my first request is that if you feel like giving, like making a difference, like being a part of something this holiday season, you might want to consider becoming a volunteer at any of the area animal shelters. They desperately need volunteers for all sorts of tasks—from walking dogs and cleaning cages to washing windows and brushing cats. Another request is that if you are pondering a pet for Christmas, look first at the area shelters before going to a pet store or a breeder. Lots and lots of animals are available—some are even purebreds. And now that animals up for adoption can be seen online, you can do most of your “shopping” via the Internet. Find the dog or cat that interests you and then go to check it out. The process is simple and the fees are not prohibitive. And with cold weather upon us, I also worry about pets being outside. Obviously, it’s best for pets to be inside in such conditions. In fact, its best to give dogs and cats a warm sleeping area inside away from drafts. If you for some reason can’t bring dogs or cats indoors during cold weather, provide an elevated structure with a door to protect pets from wind and weather. You should also provide dry, clean bedding materials such as straw or blankets. Replace it if it becomes damp or wet. And finally, provide a shelter large enough for your pet to be able to stand up and turn around, but small enough for it to retain body heat. So while we’re thinking of friends and family this holiday season, let’s also remember our furry friends and make sure we keep them safe and warm.
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