Every Pet Deserves A Loving Home #RememberMeThursday2018

The influx of homeless pets into animal shelters and rescues is a heartbreaking, never ending process.  Far too many lost, abandoned, or surrendered dogs, cats, and other pets end up in shelters every day.  The Humane Society estimates that 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters every year. 

Not every homeless dog or cat ends up in a shelter or rescue that will keep them until a home can be found, no matter how long it takes. The most unlucky pets end up in animal shelters where the clock never stops ticking.  They are running out of time.

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I adopted Phoebe from the county animal shelter I was volunteering at.  She had arrived with a male companion, dirty, matted and frightened to death.  Not long after she and the little boy dog arrived at the adoption center, he began having problems with his neuter surgery.  They had to send him back to the clinic which was miles away.  Now Phoebe was all alone in her kennel.

It took some time for her to respond to me when I walked by her cage.  There was something special about her, I can't explain it. She looked so sad and defeated.  She wouldn't get out of her bed or even lift up her head.

Phoebe when I first brought her home

Each time I passed by her kennel I would speak softly to her and pet her gently on the head. After several hours and rounds up and down the aisle she finally began to respond to me.  Eventually she got out of her bed, wagged her tail and approached the kennel door to greet me.  I was so relieved she was finally responding to something, to someone.

I wasn't looking to add another dog to our family, but I just couldn't leave Phoebe there.  She was so frightened and fragile.  I knew she needed to get out of the shelter right away, so I brought her home and, well the rest is history!  Read more of Phoebe's story here.

On REMEMBER ME THURSDAY we shine a light on pet adoption.  

Phoebe became an important member of our family!

People often ask Why can't we save them all?  It's a question with no clear answer.  My question isn't just Why can't we save them all, but Why do so many pets end up without homes in the first place? What is the root cause of this problem? and far more importantly, What can we do about it?  Those are the questions that plague my mind and rack my brain.  There is no one clear answer to any of them.  

Being adopted is the greatest gift any homeless pet can receive.  All pets deserve a loving home where they can be cared for, loved, and spoiled, like Phoebe!  Please help shine a light on pet adoption for #RememberMeThursday by sharing this message of hope and love.

Questions to Ask Before You Adopt A Dog

Thinking about adopting a shelter or rescue dog?  Congratulations!  Your decision to Adopt a Pup will save a life.  Actually, it will save two lives.  You'll be saving the dog you adopt, and by getting one dog out of the shelter you've made room for another pup that needs to be saved as well!

Before you bring your new best friend home though, you'll want to find out as much as you can about the shelter dog, or rescue dog, you'll be adopting.  Here's a list of 9 Important Questions to Ask Before You Adopt A Dog or Puppy.

When you go to a shelter and see all those cute adoptable puppies and dogs, you can't help but want to save them all!  You can't take them all home, but here are the questions you should ask to help you make the best decision on which dog is right for YOU. 

It's important to ensure the dog you adopt is the right fit for you and your family

HOW BIG WILL THIS DOG GET?

As an Adoption Counselor at an animal shelter, one of the first things people often ask is "How Big will this dog get?"  It's an important question.  Considering the breed/mix and current age and size of the dog, shelter staff can estimate fairly well how big a dog will be when full grown. If the dog is a young puppy, it's not as easy. Sometimes you can only guess how big they'll get.  

Most dogs will be full grown by the age of 18 months.  Giant breeds such as Great Danes can continue growing for 2 years.  It's important to know how large a dog could get in case there are size restrictions for dogs in the apartment or the HOA (Home Owners Association) where you live.  

If you have small children it could be a concern that a large dog could jump on the kids and knock them over.  It may not ever become a concern, but it's something you should be prepared for.  You may need some additional training to Prevent your Dog from Jumping up on people.

WHAT BREED OR BREED MIX IS HE?

Ask about the attributes of the breed(s) so you know what to expect.  Energy level and tendencies of the dog's breed are import. If you’re looking for a hiking or running companion then a high energy dog like a Siberian Husky or Border Collie might be a great companion for you.  If you prefer a mellow dog that doesn't need much exercise, a Husky or Border collie may not be a great fit! A dog with a less intense energy level like a Shih Tzu, Boston Terrier, or Basset Hound  may be a better fit for your lifestyle.

WILL SHE SHED A LOT?

Will a dog that sheds a lot be an issue for you?  Just because a dog has a smooth coat or very thin hair that doesn't mean she won’t shed.  My sister has a Pug and the shedding drives her crazy!  

If your tolerance for shedding is low, look for non-shedding breeds or dogs that are mixed with a non shedding breed such as the Poodle, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Goldendoodle, or Bichon Frise.   By all means DON'T get a Siberian Husky!  It "snows" indoors at least twice a year! LOL!!

If shedding is a concern for you, look for a dog that is a non-shedding breed or mixed with non-shedding breeds.

IS HE PEOPLE FRIENDLY AND DOG FRIENDLY?

It's important to find out if a dog is friendly.  Not just friendly towards people but friendly towards other dogs as well, or at least not aggressive towards other dogs. Shelter staff and volunteers don't always know for sure, but at most shelters and rescues they behavior test them to tell if a dog likes people and other dogs. They assess the dog upon intake and they interact with him on a regular basis. If they have play groups for the dogs they’ll be able to tell if he’s dog friendly or if he dislikes being around other dogs. 

I HAVE A DOG AT HOME, CAN I BRING HIM IN TO MEET THIS DOG?

Sometimes people who already have a dog(s) worry about bringing another dog into their home.  Ask the shelter to arrange a meeting with your current dog and the one you want to adopt to see if they get along. If they can’t accommodate a meeting, make sure you can bring the dog back if he doesn't get along with your current dog(s).  Ask for guidance on how to properly introduce the dog to your current pets.  Set the dogs up for success, don't just throw them together and hope it works out!

I wasn't sure how Icy and Phoebe would get along, but with the right introduction they became close sisters!

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE ADOPTION FEE?

Ask what’s included in the adoption fee and what additional costs you might have to pay.  Most shelters and many rescues will have the dog spayed/neutered and include that in the adoption fee.  Vaccinations required up to the dog’s current age, such as Rabies, may also be included.  If you’re adopting a puppy, vaccinations and spay/neuter may need to be done later, at your cost.

DOES SHE HAVE ANY MEDICAL PROBLEMS THAT YOU KNOW OF?

Ask if the dog has been treated for any illness or injury at the shelter, or if they are aware of any medical  issues.  If so, ask about follow-up care, prognosis, and potential costs. Kennel Cough and other respiratory illnesses are common in a shelter environment. I fostered an awesome dog with a terrible case of kennel cough. I had to be careful because I had a dog myself at home and my foster needed to be quarantined in a separate room for a couple of weeks.  

Some shelters will send you home with necessary medications for minor ailments. Ask if the dog's illness is contagious and what precautions may be needed if you have other dogs at home. Ask about known behavioral concerns as well and how best to address them.

WHERE DID THIS DOG COME FROM, HOW LONG HAS HE BEEN HERE?

Ask whether the dog was a stray picked up on the street, an owner surrender, puppy mill or hoarder rescue.  Most will probably be strays with little background information, but ask if there is any information on the dog’s history that might be helpful.

Ask how long the dog has been in the shelter.  Sometimes, long term shelter pets may have become fearful or withdrawn to some degree. They've been living much of their lives in a cage and may need some extra TLC and time to re-adjust to having space and being a pet again!  

I shared a blog post about a beautiful long term shelter dog who had been at the shelter for over 2 years!  I eventually found out she was adopted. I was so happy for her and I'm grateful to whomever adopted her.

If the dog was an owner surrender, ask why the owner gave him up. But be aware that sometimes owners lie. They have been known to say that a dog is a "bad dog" when in reality they just didn't put the time in to train the dog, or had unrealistic expectations. 

My foster dog Rudy was the Best dog!  I wanted to adopt him so badly, but it wasn't the right time for us to add another dog to our family.

WHAT'S THIS DOG'S STORY?

There may be little known about the dog's history, but try to find out whatever you can.  Any information they can provide is helpful. 

Ask if the dog has ever bitten anyone that they know of, or if he displays aggression during feeding or playing with toys.  "Resource Guarding" can be a potentially dangerous behavior if it's not dealt with properly.  This type of behavior should have been detected on intake of the dog, but ask to be sure. 

When shelters say that an adoptable dog "should be the only pet in the home" it usually means they do not get along with other dogs or cats, and they may even be aggressive. Ask the question!

Ask if they know whether or not the dog has any fear of, or issues with; kids, cats or other pets, men, etc.

You can ask if the dog is potty trained. Puppies almost never are, older dogs often are. One good indication that shelter staff and volunteers see is if a dog "holds it in" for a long time, not wanting to soil their kennel, it often means they've been potty trained at some point. They're trying to hold it in until someone takes them outside!  

Dogs who defecate in their kennels, stepping in or laying in their poo, are often not house-broken at all.  They can certainly be trained, it just takes some time.  

Any dog brought into a new home environment needs to be shown when and how they are expected to potty. You can't expect them to figure out where the doors are or when and where they're expected to do their business all on their own!

Asking these questions can help you make the best decision about which dog is right for your family, and will give you an idea of what to expect as you bring your new best friend home. Avoid the heartbreak of finding out that you can't handle the dog you've adopted or that the dog isn't a good fit for you. No one should have to go through the pain of returning their adopted dog to the shelter, especially the dog!

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I'd love it if you would check out my Etsy shop, Nature and Critters! My products are inspired by pet and nature!

👉 NatureandCritters.etsy.com 

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OTHER BLOG POSTS YOU MAY LIKE:

If you've adopted a dog with fear issues, find tips on how to Help your Fearful Dog.

Is your heart set on a particular breed of dog?  No need to shop, there are Breed Specific Resuce Organizations for nearly every breed of dog! 

I know it's tempting, especially during the holidays, but Please Don't get someone else a puppy as a gift! Getting a puppy for someone else could turn out to be the worst "gift" you ever give.

Leave us a comment and tell us what other questions you think are important to ask when adopting a new pet? 

A RESCUE ORGANIZATION FOR EVERY DOG BREED

There's a breed-specific rescue organization for nearly every breed of dog out there!  If you want a puppy or dog and you have your heart set on a specific breed of dog, please consider a rescue organization for that breed before hitting the local puppy store,  buying a dog online, or even before contacting reputable breeders. 

There's a rescue organization for nearly every dog breed

When you get a dog online, you know virtually nothing about the dog or the person behind the dog.  You have no idea what you're getting into or what the real story is with respect to the dog's health or background. That dog may even have been stolen and is being re-sold online!  Puppy stores also have the reputation of getting many of their puppies from puppy mills, where the breeding dogs are kept in horrific conditions.  If you don't want to support or encourage those efforts, you can still get the dog breed of your dreams, from a breed specific dog rescue organization. 

Do a Google search of rescue organizations for the breed of dog you want and you'll no doubt find a bunch of listings.  For example,  I adopted Phoebe from the county shelter when I lived in Phoenix. She's a Havanese (a mix actually). Phoebe is such a sweet, smart little dog, typical for that breed.  If I wanted to get another Havanese dog or puppy, I'd do a search on  "Havanese Rescue Organizations in [my city or state]".  That search will turn up numerous listings of places I could adopt a Havanese dog from, close to my area.  It's much faster and more efficient than waiting and hoping that the dog breed of your dreams will land in an animal shelter close to you.

I could scour all the local animal shelters and adoption web sites waiting for that perfect Havanese to appear, but I may not be successful.  Although many purebred and designer dogs pass through shelters, it's hit or miss and they tend to get adopted very quickly.  As an Adoption Counselor at the shelter, I could always tell which dogs would go fast.  Most of the purebreds and Anything-A-Poo type dogs were the first to be adopted.  

There's A Rescue Organization For Nearly Every Dog Breed

While I was volunteering at the Phoenix shelter, I kept searching for a Siberian Husky puppy to come into the shelter.  I had everyone on alert in case one came through.  At the time, I really wanted a puppy, but of the very few Huskies that came through our shelter the youngest one was at least a year old.  I had just started volunteering and wasn't aware that there were specific rescue organizations out there, lots of them.  Now I know better!

One of the benefits of adopting a dog from a rescue is that unlike many animal shelters, most rescues have the resources and the time to really get to know the pets in their care.  They can work with the dog on issues such as walking on leash, potty training, or behavioral issues like resource guarding or fearfulness.  They're able to spend the time needed to prepare the dog for adoption and find the right person or family to facilitate a successful adoption.  Shelters don't usually have that luxury, especially municipal shelters who are notoriously underfunded and understaffed. 

If you think you might be ready for a puppy or a dog soon, start researching rescue organizations for the breed of dog you want  now.  It can take time to find that specific breed of dog ready to be adopted from a quality rescue.   If you're willing and able to drive into a neighboring state to get your dream dog, expand your online search to include rescues in neighboring states as well.  

Locate a couple of rescues that may be able to supply you with the pup you want.  If they have a Facebook page, start connecting with them!  Let them get to know you.  Don't be that stranger who emails and says "Hi, I want a French Bulldog puppy... can I come get one this weekend?"  That won't go over very well.

Rescues aren't like the county shelter, with totally open adoption policies.  They're usually pretty careful about who they adopt their dogs out to.  Expect them to ask you some questions - possibly lots of questions! They want to make sure the dog is going to the right home and that the owner and dog are a good fit to ensure a lasting match.

There are Rescue Organizations for nearly every breed of dog

Be prepared before you reach out to a breed specific rescue organization.  You want to demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about the breed of dog you want and that you understand the needs of that breed.  

For example, if you wanted a Husky they'll want to be sure you understand that a Husky is a very high energy dog that needs a ton of exercise and that they can be sly escape artists.  If you lead a sedentary lifestyle and have no fenced in yard, you are likely to be rejected as a Husky adopter.  

Don't feel offended if the rescue organization asks questions about your home environment, your lifestyle, and whether or not you can afford Veterinary care.  They're asking because they want to make a good match for the dog and for you, one that will last the dog's lifetime.  When you initially connect with the rescue, try to find out what their adoption requirements are so you will be prepared.

There are rescue organizations for most dog breeds, including Siberian Huskies

When we are ready to add another Husky to our family, I definitely want that Husky to be a rescue.  I already know a couple of rescue organizations I want to work with and I'm connected with them online.

I hope this will help you Adopt Rather Than Shop even if you have your heart set on a specific breed of dog or cat.  Happy Tails!!

Check out more of our dog tips & information in these posts:

8 Questions To Ask Before Adopting A Dog

Dog Theft Is Increasing! How To Prevent Dog Theft

A Puppy For Christmas?  Wait, Not So Fast!

Have you adopted a pet from a breed specific rescue, or do you plan to?  Tell us about it in the comments, you know how much we love hearing from you!

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Adopt A Dog Month!

OCTOBER IS THE AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY'S ADOPT A DOG MONTH

We adopted Phoebe from a PetSmart store Everyday Adoption Center.  She is our little angel and we can't imagine our family without her!

OCTOBER IS ALSO THE ASPCA'S ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH

Phoebe brings so much joy to our family!  Adopting her was one of the best decisions we've ever made.  Find your new best friend and family member at an animal shelter or rescue!

SO WHAT'S A HUMAN TO DO??   ADOPT A DOG, OF COURSE!!  PLEASE SHARE TO ENCOURAGE DOG ADOPTION THIS MONTH.

Think of all the fun Dog Friendly Events you could be taking your new dog to this Fall!

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3 Dogs Looking For Valentine Love

These 3 sweeties are looking for someone to snuggle with this Valentine's Day and furever!  Will you please share to help them find furever Valentine Love?

I'm lookin' for a New Love, baby, a New Looooove...!

Sweet Bubba, a 5 yr. old Gentleman Pit Bull has been in the shelter way too long!

Why do the ladies keep passing me over, do I need doggy mints? 

All 3 dogs are at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control animal shelter in Phoenix, Arizona.  The 2 little guys are at the location in the PetSmart Adoption Center in Scottsdale, AZ.  Bubba (ID: A3683575) is at the East shelter location in Mesa, AZ. 602-506-7387.

DON'T MISS THE PETSMART NATIONAL ADOPTION WEEKEND IN PETSMART STORES VALENTINE'S WEEKEND, FEBRUARY 12 - 14, 2016!  YOU JUST MIGHT FIND THE LOVE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR!

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like the adoption tips in A New Pet Can Be Your Perfect Valentine

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A New Pet Can Be Your Perfect Valentine!

Wondering who you'll snuggle up with this Valentines Day?  Opening your heart to a pet in need of a loving home can be the perfect Valentine's Day gift, for yourself or for your family!



I adopted Phoebe from a PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center I volunteered at.

There are so many dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, and other pets looking for someone to love them and welcome them into their home.  Will you be that someone this Valentine's Day?

THERE'S A BREED SPECIFIC RESCUE ORGANIZATION FOR NEARLY EVERY BREED AND TYPE OF PET OUT THERE.  PLEASE OPT TO ADOPT!!

Be Prepared for pet adoption by asking these questions:

IS THE PET FULL GROWN?  IF NOT, HOW BIG WILL HE GET?

You’ll want to know if your new pet is full grown already or if he's just getting started!  This will help you determine how large a yard, bed, crate, or cage he needs.

WHAT BREED (OR BREED MIX) IS HE?

Most pet breeds have specific attributes and characteristics you should know about so you know what to expect.  Is he a territorial type of pet?  Does he have a strong prey drive making him likely to stalk small pets in the home?  Is he a high energy pet that needs lots of exercise?        




Questions to ask before adopting one of the many pets waiting for a loving home!

HOW MUCH DOES HE EAT?

This may not matter if you're adopting a guinea pig, but if you're taking in a rescue horse or a very large dog it matters!

DOES HE SHED A LOT?

Dogs and cats shed, but some dogs and cats shed more than others.  If shedding is a concern, ask if this type of pet sheds a lot.  You may think the shorter the hair the less a cat or dog will shed.  But many short haired dogs shed a ton!  Pugs are just one example of short haired dogs that shed a lot.   Some dog breeds such as the Poodle or Maltese have hair instead of fur and don't shed at all.   The Sphynx cat is hairless so no shedding there!  Cornish Rex or Devon Rex cats shed less than most cats. 

IS SHE FRIENDLY WITH PEOPLE AND OTHER PETS?

Sometimes shelter staff and volunteers won’t know for certain, but they can often tell fairly easily through behavior assessments.  If the pet has been fostered ask if the foster parent left notes about her behavior, or if you can speak with the foster.  As a Foster Mama, I’m always happy to provide as much information as possible to a potential adopter.




Who couldn't love this sweet face!  This sweet mellow boy was recently adopted - YAY!

CAN YOU DO A MEET AND GREET WITH YOUR PETS?

Sometimes people who have dogs or cats at home worry about getting another pet.  Ask shelter/rescue staff if they’ll arrange a meet and greet with your current pet and the one you want to adopt to see if they get along.  You want to see if there is an obvious prey drive in your pets towards the new pet.  If they can’t accommodate, make sure you can bring the pet back if it doesn't work out when you introduce them at home.  Get advice from the staff on how to do a proper introduction to your current pets at home.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE ADOPTION FEE?

Know what’s included in the adoption fee and what additional costs you might incur.  Do you need to spay/neuter your new pet?  Does he need any vaccinations or ongoing medical care? 




I wasn't too thrilled when Mama first brought Phoebe home, but now we are family!  I look out for my little Sis & sometimes I share my toys with her.  Sometimes.

Asking these questions will help you make a good adoption decision and be well prepared to bring your new Valentine home fur good!  

PETSMART CHARITIES REGULARLY HOSTS NATIONAL ADOPTION WEEKENDS IN PETSMART STORES. YOU MIGHT FIND YOUR FURRY VALENTINE AT YOUR LOCAL PETSMART STORE!  

Looking for fun Furry Valentine's Day DIY ideas and activities to do with your dog? 

I believe these 3 Simple Acts can help end the enormous flood of pets that end up in shelters & rescues every year.

How to Convince Your Partner to Get a Dog

So you’ve got a spouse or significant other who doesn't agree that adding a dog to the household is a good idea.  It’s not that they hate dogs or anything, you’d never want to be with someone who hated dogs, right?!  It’s just that they dislike the smell, the shedding, the chewing, the walking, the feeding and all the other chores that go along with having a dog in the home.  

My husband was one of those people.  I desperately wanted a dog and he most definitely didn’t!  Well, here we are years later with two fantastic dogs that he loves as much as I do!

How did I convince my husband to go from vehemently refusing to let me bring a dog into our home, to loving hikes with our two dogs and happily giving belly rubs 50 times a day?  Here’s how….

When I was young I was a sales rep for a computer company.  In sales they teach you how to overcome every objection the customer comes up with to make the sale.  To be honest, I wasn’t very good at sales.  Now I wanted a dog.  Desperately.  It was time to get tough, time to break out the big guns and sell the idea of getting a dog to my reluctant husband, John. 

 

Not everyone likes the daily chores associated with having a pet.

When someone is vehemently opposed to getting a pet it’s often because they’re thinking only of the chores and responsibility of pet ownership, not the unconditional love or the FUN stuff.  There may also be another underlying reason why they don’t want the dog or other pet, like maybe they were bitten by a dog as a child or perhaps their neighbor’s cat was mean & nasty. 

My husband grew up with 3 brothers, all close in age.  Can you imagine a home with 3 high energy, mischievous boys running around the house and no dog!?  If ever there was a household that needed a dog, their’s was it!  They did have a neighbor with a nice dog, a Collie named Major, which could be a plus in helping me make the “sale”.

During our many conversations, which basically consisted of me begging  (no pun intended!) to get a dog.  I knew that one of the key reasons my husband didn’t want a dog was because he had encountered so many “bad” dogs.  As an insurance rep, he often visited auto body shops in New York.  Many body shops keep guard dogs on the premises to help prevent theft.  Sadly, they train these dogs to be territorial and aggressive toward strangers.  These experiences affected John, his perception of dogs was that most of them were unfriendly. 

 

I was lucky to have grown up with an amazing dog as my best friend.  Although he had cats, my husband had never known the joy of taking your dog for walks and hikes, playing in the yard together, cuddling up on the floor to watch TV together, or a furiously wagging tail and licks on your face as soon as you get home.



There are so many fun things to do with a dog, hiking is just one of them!

Not only am I an extreme animal lover, but I also volunteered at our county animal shelter in Phoenix, AZ.  Can you imagine volunteering day after day, surrounded by so many amazing dogs but never being able to take one home!?  Let me tell you, it was pure torture.  I just had to convince my husband to get a dog!  I began to formulate a plan.

 

Adorable dogs that were available for adoption at the shelter

Knowing that my husband's main objection was thinking most dogs were mean, I endeavored to show him how loving and wonderful dogs can be!  I also had to let him know that I would happily handle most of the chores like feeding, training, and walking the dog. 

 

🐶 I started off by dragging him to every dog adoption and dog friendly event I could find.  I would point out all the well socialized dogs and how sweet and well behaved they were.  I would stop by all the dogs available for adoption and try to get him to interact with them.

 

🐶 I found excuses to bring him to the shelter I volunteer at, where I would point out this or that dog, how sweet and friendly they were and talk about their breed characteristics.  “This breed of dog doesn’t shed at all!” I’d say, or  “That breed of dog would be a great hiking companion!” 

 

🐶 Every time we went to the mall I’d even drag him into the puppy store pointing out all the different breeds of dog and talk about their breed traits to see if any particular breed caught his interest.  

 

Getting a dog is a big decision, you and your partner should both agree that getting a dog is the right decision

🐶 I watched lots of shows on Animal Planet, especially Victoria Stillwell’s It’s Me Or The Dog.  OK, so maybe that was just for me!  At first he couldn’t stand my non-stop Dog TV, but after awhile he started to watch some of the shows with me and we’d have discussions about the family and the dog in the show.  It opened up a lot of great conversations about dogs between us.

Instead of talking about how much I wanted a dog, we were talking about dogs in general.  He was slowly learning a lot about dogs, dog behavior, and how to properly train a dog.  I thought that if he could just be around more “good” dogs and learn more about dog behavior and training he would start to trust dogs and agree to get one. 

 

Months later we had gone to our local PetSmart for cat food and litter.  As with most weekends, they had a dog adoption event in the store.  There was an adorable little Rat Terrier named Malcolm for adoption.  The lady asked if we’d like to take Malcolm for a walk.  I said “Sure!”.  

Malcolm was super sweet and friendly, and so cute trotting along beside us, walking beautifully on leash.  I asked John if he wanted to hold the leash, fully expecting him to say no, but he said “OK” and began walking Malcolm!  It was the first time I had ever seen my husband walking a dog, and it was a wonderful sight.  We both really liked Malcolm a lot but my husband still wasn’t quite ready to adopt a dog.  I felt we had made great progress though, and I was encouraged.


This isn't Malcolm, but this little guy looks a lot like him

Slowly but surely John became more knowledgeable about dogs and more comfortable around them.  He started petting and saying positive things about dogs we encountered and really started to enjoy them!  It took over a year for John to agree to get a dog and when he did I was thrilled - finally! 


The time had finally come for us to get our first dog together!  Here she is, our sweet girl, Icy!



This is one of my favorite photos of John and Icy.  The look of love is unmistakable.

It took a lot of time and patience on my part, but being on the same page about getting a dog and bringing home a dog that John and I both wanted was worth the wait!  Our Siberian Husky, Icy, is our first dog together.  It was shocking to see that the guy who did NOT want a dog has so much love in his heart for her! I don't think either of us can imagine life without her now. 

Two years after Icy came into our lives, I adopted Phoebe from the shelter I volunteer at and our little family grew by one more!



Our darling girl Phoebe posting in our front yard.  She is such a joyful soul!

Have you had to work to convince another member of the household to get a pet?  Leave us a comment and share, we love hearing from you!

SHOULD YOU LET YOUR NEW PUPPY CRY?

When you get a new puppy, there are so many things to learn.  Everyone has an opinion and everyone has “expert” advice to share, from friends and family to experienced dog trainers.  I read lots of books articles about puppy training before bringing Icy, our beautiful Siberian Husky puppy home, so I felt well prepared for Puppy Parenthood. 

Icy with my husband, at 12 weeks old.  She was such a little darling!

Little did I know that sometimes the "expert" puppy training advice you receive turns out not to be so smart.