Comments: A case for adult dogs

“Adult dogs have my vote. Lucille "Ball" a beautiful black lab was twice returned to the spca at age 1.5, what an ordeal for her. We have had a wonderful two years so far and my vote is for the adult dogs. Roxy a 2 year old Yorkie has recently joined us as well. Another spca adoption, the poor thing was former puppy mill girl. Again a loving adult dog. My vote is for the adults. Check your local shelters and find your precious gems.” — Gotdog, Oct 28 2008

“I loved the story about the abandoned dog that ended up having the Bull dog look alike pups. I adopted a stray cat who was crazed out of his mind because of being on the streets. He was so wild, all he would do is hiss and spit when I tried to feed him. After about 2 weeks I was able to get close enough at feeding time to touch him on his head. After a couple days of that, I took the plunge and picked him up, expecting to be torn to bits and shuttled him into the house and into the spare bedroom. long story short, after about 9 months of living in the house, having needed medical care, and LOTS of love and patience, he can not even be recognized as the cat I met. He is loving, sleeps with me and is beautiful (cream with rabbit soft fur and blue eyes)! In 2 days I am driving 8 hours round trip to go and see a 2 year old, standard poodle in need of a new home. I know that giving an adult dog and/or cat is truly saving a life and often, I believe, you can't tell how they will adjust for several months sometimes. By patient, love them, never take it personal if they are having a "moment". When Homer would have a "moment", I called them his little neurotic breaks, I would simply tell him, "if your going to act crazy you can't be out here" and I'd put him in "his" bedroom for a time out. A while later I'd let him out and usually that is all he needed~Just a little break to calm down and collect himself. Blessings to all who rescue and to all those still waiting for homes. Christine” — needaterp, Aug 01 2008

“I adopted my black Lab when he was 5 years old and he is as bonded to me as my Goldador that I hand raised. I wish that people would realize that older dogs do bond with their new people and can be trained.” — ivycat, Jul 07 2008

“my 3 year old shihtzu,"pippi" saved my life by becoming my "service". dog she has brought me so many smiles where there hadn't been many for years. she is my
soul mate. also she has brought so much happiness to the older tenants in my apartment. she is definitely our mascot - even a few people who are not dog lovers smile when i bring her into the lobby. mzany of them love to haver sit on their laps which she loves.
” — MBUBBLES40, Jun 29 2008

“I moved onto a property thathad a dog hanging around, I think the people before me abandoned. As I have found chains and tethers in my yard that she avoids at all costs.She actually walks around them. At first she would not come near me, she was skinny and looked really abused. One night I got to close to her little place she called home behind my shed and she bit me, paralyzed my thumb. But I feel she was just trying to protect herself. Little did I know she had a litter of pups on the way. I started feeding her and noticed her belly growing. I called animal control and they could 'Not Catch Her". (Now I thank God they did not because they would have destroyed her) Told me not to feed her starve her and she would go away. Well I am an animal lover. I have two other rescues a chiuhaua, and I think a poodle cross. Both abandoned. I also have my own Daisy who is chiuahaua. So One early frosty morning she had her puppies in my rose bushes. She trusted me and my son enough to get a blanket under her and her pups and move them into a insulated shed I had sitting empty. She had 7 beautiful american bulldogs, look almost purebred according to a veternarian I showed their pictures too. Now I call mama "Shadow" because she shadows me wherever I go. She is a good mom and has learned to trust me enough to letme feed her by hand and pet her. And now she lets my son and daughter in law help her with the pups. Most of them have homes already, but they still have a couple of weeks of bonding with mom before I will let them go. I have read all the literature I can find on Animal Rescues and your site has been the most helpful.. Once the pups are with their new homes, I am going to tranquilze mom and take her to the vet and have her spayed and given a good physical and all her shots. Then I am building a fenced yard for her. And I am keeping one of her pups. But I just want people to know that rescue pets who have been abused need love too and she has become one of the most loyal dogs I have ever had. She waits for me at my driveway everyday when I come home and she alerts me when someone is on the property. She is truly one of my prize winning pups. I just wish there were more organizations who could help people like me who are having a financial hard time doing this. I make my own dog food for the puppies and moms get what they do not eat. And little treats I am able to buy once in awhile. She gets along with my other dogs. She is probably about 4 years old and does not deserve to go through the grewling physical stress that having puppies puts on a dog. So spay your pups people if you dont want to adopt an adult dog maybe this will make you think again.Sillygirlterri51” — sillygirlter..., May 05 2008

“There is no such thing as a bad dog just bad owners.” — Discover wit..., Apr 16 2008

“I love dogs
” — Robin_Griego, Jan 29 2008

“My son gave us a dog adopted from a rescue shelter for Christmas. Greatest gift I ever received. She is 6 yrs old, bull terrier white with a blue fanny. Her name is Ladee. My wife and I both love her very much and look forward to spending many years with her by our side.” — rfb822, Jan 20 2008

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