Adopting A Dog? Read THE CHOSEN PUPPY First

Who doesn't love spring? OK allergy sufferers aside...who doesn't love spring? There is just so much going on, and so much to like about this time of year.

One thing I'm seeing and hearing a lot about are pet adoption events. Pet stores, volunteer rescue organizations, even vets are promoting pet adoption.

Pet adoption is an act of true compassion. Done well and responsibly, I think it's a wonderful idea, as there are SO many animals, with SO much love and comfort to give and share.

Animals end up in a shelter for a number of reasons, but one big one is a pet owner making an impulsive, uninformed, or unsuitable choice in the first place, which is why I love this book so much. 

If a shelter dog is in your future, read The Chosen Puppy first. No matter your age, or your level of experience or familiarity with the canine species, you will learn something from this book.

Carol Lea Benjamin has been writing about dogs for decades. Easy to see it is a labor of love. Much of her early work is about dogs from shelters. I found this book at the local library about 10 or 11 years ago; I have since bought and given out probably 2 dozen copies as gifts.

See, here's the thing-when you finally make it to the shelter, in your mind, you think you have made the hardest decision. You get there, and you are goo...just so are ready to scoop up the first wriggling bundle of fur so you can romp off into the sunset together. After losing Maggie Mae in 1999, we were three years in between dogs, and my arms literally ached to hold, and snuzzle with a dog again, so I know the feeling.

The Chosen Puppy is an easy read. Less than 90 pages long, it's a paperback, about $10.00, unless you buy a used copy online someplace. It is sweet and short and common-sense advice on how to interview, choose, and train a shelter dog of any age.

Suitable and interesting for readers of any age, no complex terms, and lots of cute pencil drawings, reading it before we made the trip to it was an INVALUABLE guide when our moment of truth arrived, and in the ensuing months as we were training our sweet Bella Blue.

If you have a friend-neighbor-relative-client who is contemplating adopting a dog-get them this book. Spring is house-buying season, so if you know a dog is in the future of a new homebuyer, it makes a great housewarming gift. And while you're at it, might as well check out, even pass on the links of your local shelters: Here are two in Westchester County NY Pets Alive in Elmsford, and the SPCA in Briarcliff. You'll be glad you did.

 

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9 Comments on Adopting A Dog? Read THE CHOSEN PUPPY First

APR
14
2012
510,788 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks for doing your part to help these sweet pups find homes. I've been blogging about a different dog a week for over a year now and every one of them, with the exception of just one, has found a home. I don't know if my blog has helped with that, but it certainly can't hurt. We have four rescued dogs ourselves and can't say enough what an important cause this is to our family.
7:41pm • #1
254,060 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gretchen-well these prospective pet owners are learning about these dogs SOMEWHERE-that is an amazing record, you are doing the work of angels, and should be very proud.  I know there are several ARers who do these type of posts, I looked into doing them in my area, too, but it kind of slid off my radar...maybe time to make that phone call again and get those Pet Of The Week listints...thanks for the motivatin, and for helping get all those furballs into houses of love!
8:20pm • #2
762,019 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This sounds like a great book, Marie.  People can be impulsive when getting a pet not realizing the responsibility involved.  I will pass this along.
9:17pm • #3
APR
15
2012
251,929 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Marie, impulsivity is a norm, as people walk into a pet store. They don't understand that pet ownership is a relationship and there needs to be a match. This sounds like a great book and thank you for recommending it.  Too many abandoned pets are a result of impulsive human beings.
7:00am • #4
254,060 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Jane! The dog-owner(s) in your life will thank you!

Joanna-you're right. Thanks to Debra Walsh's re-blog, I read this post about buying bunnies for Easter. Too late for Easter impulsives, but a timeless message nonetheless.

 
8:07am • #5
314,082 Points 17 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Marie,

Jane Peters sent me your post because she knows I am a animal lover, advocate and a county shelter volunteer. I agree with you that responsible adoptions are so important. An animal is a commitment for LIFE, folks need to make an educated (not an impulsive) decision.

1:09pm • #6
APR
18
2012
405,899 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Great tip! Kudos to those who adopt instead of buy a dog!!

;)
10:21am • #7
776,037 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Marie, since I lost my two Dalmatian's pretty much all I do is think about going to a shelter to find another. I miss those dogs, but when I really think too much about finding a shelter dog I remind myself that I work too much and it wouldn't be fair to the dog.  I totally agree about the impulsiveness that some people have when getting a pet...really big mistake with some breeds...so a book like "The Chosen Puppy" is a must read.
8:57pm • #8
APR
19
2012
254,060 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Patty-I referenced your post almost immediately, will have to thank Jane for the connection. Thanks for connecting, AND OF COURSE for all the work you do for these sweet angels.

Betina-in the local Patch-just this week-was an article about a dog that lived at the local shelter since 1997...he was adopted this week!!

NICK! You know, Dalmations are usually a one-person breed, also needing lots of exercise...if your arms are really aching to hold a pup, there are plenty of less demanding breeds out there. Maybe the new office needs a mascot :) To paraphrase Ghandi-when the owner is ready, the puppy will appear...
1:22pm • #9


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Marie Graham Westchester County NY Home Stager

White Plains, NY

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The Refreshed Home White Plains NY

Office Phone: (914) 607-2895

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