Weareprofessionallytrainedtohelpyouenjoypeaceofmindwhileyourdogenjoyshiswalks.Yes,evenwhilewestoptopickuphispoop.
cheerfuldogschroniclesAWorldofDogs:PickingaWinner–AdoptingfromaShelter
Issue23Certified.Force-free.Dog-centred
DogQuotesAdoptingadogfromasheltercanflustereventhemostlevel-headedperson.
Wego,determinedthattodayistheday.Alifetimepalforus,aplaymate
forthekids,ormaybeabrotherorsisterforSpot,waitingathome.But
oncewe’rethere,decisionparalysissetsin.Onallsidestherearedark,
pleadingeyes,tailswaggingfuriously,andtonguestryingtolickusthroughthe
meshofacage.Walkingpastthosekennels,theanticipationispalpable—andoftennoisy:Me!
Me!Pickme!Facedwithsomanyfour-leggedhopefuls,mostoptforthelove-at-first-sightmethodofchoosing:A
prettyface,coloursthatappeal,asizethatlooksaboutright,andourproverbialgooseiscooked.
Butaswithhumanrelationships,initialattractionalonemayturnouttobea
poorpredictoroflong-termhappiness.Successfulmatchesaremuchmorelikely
whenwould-beadopterscarefullyconsiderwhatisrightforthemandgolooking
forit.AstheGreekaphorismprescribes:KnowThyself.Anaviddistancerunner
lookingforarunningbuddy,forexample,mightwanttopickaBorderColliemix
overaBulldogmix.Barkingcanbeokayoradealbreaker,dependingonthe
person.Somepeopledon’tmindlonghairanddroolontheireggshell-coloured
couches;othersverymuchdo.
2
…pickingawinner
Dogsofalltypes,ages,sizes,andenergylevelsarelovable,
ofcourse.Andtheyalldeservelovinghomes.Goingtoa
shelterwithashoppinglist(…shorthair,medium-sized,
goodwithcats…)maystrikesomeastoobusinesslike.
Unromantic.Butfactoringinlifestyleandtemperament
compatibilitywhenlookingforacaninecompanion
drasticallyincreasesthechancesofahappy,life-long
relationship.Intheend,nobodywouldexpectevery
persontheycameacrosstobeasuitablepartner,either.
Oneperson’sidealisanother’srecipefordisaster.Besides,
preparednessisthebestdefenceagainsttheurgetotake
homeeverysingledogintheshelter.
Tips&Tools:PreventingDogLoss
• Do: Tag and microchip your dog. It’s
goodtohaveyourcontactnumberonthe
tag.
• Do: Keep your dog on leash outside.
Make sure your dog has a bullet-proof
recall.
• Don’t: Leave your dog alone in the
garden.
• Don’t:Tieyourdogoutsideashop.
IfYourDogisLost• Searchtheneighbourhood,onfootorina
car. Call andwhistle loudly. Ask friends,
neighbours,orfamilymembersforhelp.
• Call the SPCA, local animal shelters, and
pethospitals.
• Write a ‘LostDog’ flyerwithaphotoand
distributearoundtheneighbourhood,dog
parks,etc.
If you offer a reward, beware of scammers.
Owners of lost pets are frequently targeted.
Never pay a reward until you’re literally
handedyourdog.
cheerfuldogs.comYourgo-totrainerforenlighteneddoglovers
Website:cheerfuldogs.com
cheerfuldogswalking.comProfessionaldogwalkingyoucantrust
Website:cheerfuldogswalking.com
Tel:96303884
Email:[email protected]
Savetheenvironment,accessoure-newslettersonourwebsites
FollowusSupportedby
cont.
WeadoptedCCOKiyofromtheSPCA,and
we’reallwinners!