So most of you know we've been without a dog now almost 18 months. This is pretty much the longest DH and I have been without a dog but life's been busy. And we've been on wait lists for about a year with rescue groups. But we haven't been proactively looking either other than putting our names on lists.
But on a more serious note. I want to write about how weird this experience has been. This is the first time we've tried to adopt a dog post-kids. Our kids are now 8 and 5. We've finally also moved into a house with a yard. So we seem like an ideal family now right?
WRONG. Now we have kids and a lot of rescue groups or petfinder don't want to talk to me anymore. Apparently when we were young and dumb DH and I were great candidates. Now with 2 "small" children we aren't. We're next exactly new to this rodeo but they aren't thrilled without "candidate" package.
So right now I'm mulling buying a dog. I cringe as I write this because that makes me choke a bit on how expensive it is. Plus truthfully I feel really guilty based on how many dogs need homes. But now what? We need a dog that is hypo allergenic. But other than that age isn't a big deal and type isn't either. A good disposition. We can work with them.
I'm unsure where to go from here. Do we really buy a puppy?
Dog Adoption Lament
May 21st, 2018 at 06:50 pm
May 21st, 2018 at 07:03 pm 1526925802
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/characteristic/hypoallergenic-dogs/page/2/
https://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/dog-adoption/hypoallergenic-dogs/
May 21st, 2018 at 08:25 pm 1526930718
May 21st, 2018 at 09:25 pm 1526934300
May 21st, 2018 at 09:40 pm 1526935253
May 23rd, 2018 at 11:51 pm 1527115908
Now we are leaning towards a bigger dog but still needing to be a non shedder. So honestly it's a bit difficult going to a shelter because of it.
Shetlers would work with us but not many non-shedding dogs come in. But rescue groups don't want to talk to us with kids. They don't think we're a good placement.
May 25th, 2018 at 05:00 am 1527220848
You can find poodles and other dogs less likely to cause allergies in shelters. You can also ask friends and neighbors. You just have to work at it and be patient.
No support for buying a dog here. You are supporting an industry that exploits and harms the dogs.
May 27th, 2018 at 08:00 pm 1527447613
May 29th, 2018 at 07:16 pm 1527617764
May 29th, 2018 at 10:52 pm 1527630763
I know a lot of rescue dogs are sent to Washington and Oregon from California, because I have worked with shelters here that send their dogs on transport up there. I suspect Seattle and Portland are short on shelter inventory because there just are not as many dogs there. I have heard that there is even a shortage of kittens in some areas, primarily because of the effectiveness of spay neuter programs.
My first suggestion would be to expand your search to other nearby states. California has an oversupply of just about every breed, especially in the Central Valley. Purebred shepherds and labs are killed every day because there is not enough space in the shelters or enough homes to adopt all the dogs.
I would also let all your friends, coworkers, and neighbors know what you are looking for. Someone out there is moving overseas, getting a divorce, or shipping out to active duty and needs to re-home the dog you want. Facebook can be your friend here as well.
What breeds are you considering? I bet I could find five or six in less than an hour. The only exception would be a designer dog, such as the labradoodle.