Loving and caring for a dog for the rest of his/her life is a big commitment. I strongly urge you to take a few minutes and ask yourself a few questions. While I am not trying to talk anyone out from bringing a dog into their life, I know that if the owners of most rescued and shelter dogs had asked themselves these questions, it might have prevented many of them from being abandoned at shelters or lost in the street.

Making an informed decision is the first step on the road to a new and wonderful life with your companion animal.

#1 Why do you want a dog?

It is incredible how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they bring a dog into their lives. Adopting a dog or puppy because it’s ‘the thing to do’ or ‘the kids have been longing for a puppy’ or ‘as a gift on a special occasion’ usually ends up being a BIG mistake. Sharing your home with a dog can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. Nevertheless, all furry friends require lots of time, affection, exercise, training and that you have the money to care for them. Dogs develop very strong connections with their guardians and have a need to be part of the family.

#2 Can you afford to get and care for a dog?

The monetary costs of owning a dog can be considerably high. Estimates go from $500.00 to $2,000.00 a year. Licenses, spay/neutering, training classes, veterinary care, flea and heartworm prevention, food, grooming, toys and other expenses can certainly add up fast. If your dog should get sick, the cost can easily skyrocket. You should also consider if you can afford to have some of your belongings chewed up which often times comes with having a puppy around the house!!! I urge you to commit to taking your dog or puppy to training. This helps you to become a good pack leader. If you have children, I suggest that everyone participates in the training so that the dog gets the same message from everyone across. Dogs that have been well trained tend to be more part of the family and are less likely to run off and get lost or end up abandoned at a shelter.

#3 Is your family and yourself ready to take on such responsibility?

So you have concluded to adopt a dog or puppy. Do you have children or you are planning a family, if so, it is critical to find a dog with the right temperament and personality that will do well with young children. Additionally if you’re a student, in the military or travel frequently for business (or pleasure), it would be best to wait until you are settled and have more time to spend with your dog. Preferably, I strongly encourage you to consider a dog-walker and/or doggie day care if you have to be away for long periods of time.

Choose a dog that will fit in to your surroundings. Adopting a dog or puppy that has a lot of energy to share a small apartment may not be a great idea. Your dog needs enough room to move around and play.

#4 Do you really “have time” for a dog?

Dogs cannot be ignored and neglected just because you’re tired, busy or you didn’t take the time to train them. They need to be fed and walked (exercised) on a regular basis, they need lots of care, companionship, training and discipline every day of the year.

Most dogs end up in a shelter because their owners didn’t realize how much time it took to care for them properly. Leaving your dog locked up or in a backyard all day is not the answer. Dogs that are constantly neglected emotionally “will” show negative behavior. We need to recognize that dogs are part of the family since dogs are pack animals and have a strong need to be part of you and the family also be loved.

#5. Can you “have” a dog where you live?

So many people don’t even think about this until it is too late!!! Many rental homes or apartments don’t allow pets, and the ones that do often have restrictions. Please make sure you know if dogs are allowed where you live and that you have written permission to have the dog you have chosen to get (e.g., lots of places will not allow dogs over a certain weight and/or allow certain breeds). I urge you NOT to get a dog if it is not allowed where you live, so many dogs and puppies are being re-homed or surrendered at shelters because their owners found out “too late” that their landlord did not allowed dogs.

#6 Do you know where you’ll be living for the next 15 years?

More importantly, can you make an absolute commitment to give the dog a home for LIFE even if you’re not certain if you might move? Can you guarantee you’ll keep the dog and wait out until you find a place that allows dogs, should you have to move? One of the primary reasons that a dog ends up in a shelter is because their owner moves and can’t find or afford a place that allows dogs. I would hate this happening to your new dog, so please consider whether you can commit to this. If you can’t, consider becoming a foster parent. Rescues always need foster parents. Every foster home saves a life and can be a great alternative to adoption aside from a great experience.

#7 Who will take care for your dog if you’re away?

If you sometimes travel places where you can’t take your furry buddy with you, you’ll need reliable friends, neighbors and/or family members to care for it, or the money to take it to a good boarding facility or hire pet-sitter.

Last, but not least:

#8 Are you prepared to open your home, your heart, and provide care for your new canine family member for “the rest of his/her life”?

If so, please find a good rescue group, any person that rescues dogs or a shelter and look for the dog that fits your household and lifestyle.

Please I strongly urge you NOT to buy a dog from a back yard breeder or a pet store, there are so many and I can’t stress that enough, SO many dogs and puppies at shelters and rescue groups that I am sure the right one is there for you.

And again, if adopting is not for you, consider ‘FOSTERING’ it is of great reward to someone who might love animals but can’t actually afford to keep it for long term.

Well Prince for some reason decided to first go and get all muddy outside where I had just watered plants and the driveway so the dogs and house would be a little cooler…

The he rushed into the house, came close to the bathroom and upon finding the door closed, just waited there, as if he knew someone was at the door and waiting for them to come out, as a matter of fact, my oldest son was there! =)

When my boy came out, Prince rushed himself in the bathroom and I thought it would be to lay down on the floor like he typically does, it seems that the bathroom floor is the coolest in the whole house. I was on the phone, so I went to check what was the comotion in the bathroom, I kept hearing him do something, well it turns out, Prince just wanted to take a cooling bath… hahahaha

Yes that’s right a bath…. he proceeded to get in the tub and wait there, trying to make himself comfortable…I had never seen that, ussually dogs run from getting a bath they don’t jump in the tub.

Needless to say, I not only had to give him a nice bath, also had to clean the bathroom in detail!

I wish I had taken videos, didn’t get the chance; here are some cute pictures of this adventurous event!!

By the way, he is up for adoption, he is just the funniest guy ever, very cute, sweet and high energy!!
Check out his adoption info here on my blog

Is “black dog syndrome” a real thing?

From 7 rescue dogs, she was the last to find a home! all the other dogs, were either puppies, only one was a completely black dog, and the rest, light in color or with significant amount of light color in them and black as well; I never realized that being a black dog could have been the reason to her delayed adoption! as I myself adopted a black dog about two years ago, she is an Australian Kelpie, mostly black with tan on her chest and her paws. It never really faced me the fact that she was black, maybe it’s because I love animals, specially dogs so much, maybe it was because she was a puppy and looked incredibly adorable, I don’t know. I also adopted less then a year ago, an American Pit bull (brindle) with lots of black and dark brown and a hint of white on her chest and paws.

However I have recently found out that black dogs are among the least to get adopted in shelters and rescue groups, I say among, because as we all know, American Pit bulls, Rottweilers and some other breeds, thought to be aggressive, also are the least to get adopted and they are the first to be put down (euthanized) regardless of their color.

If you’re looking for a new dog to join your family, consider adopting a black rescue dog! Think of it as saving a life and giving a special dog a chance at a long healthy and happy living.

He is very sweet, energetic and loves to play fetch! He could be a good inside or outside dog, likes both equally. He is great with kids, preferably 10+ and is good with other dogs as well…

Some bio on this handsome guy!

Male
2-3 yrs old
Neutered
UTD on shots (I was told-no records)
Housebroken
Knows basic commands really well
Good with children, other dogs and any adult
Not sure about cats…
Good on a leash, loves going for walks and playing fetch

Things he is learning…. he has a tendency to be toy possessive… so he has been learning to “DROP” the toy he fetches and let you have it, he is getting really good! He also loves to be inside and will go and lay down in anyones bed or couch if you let him, he is learning the word “OUT” for when you don’t want him inside, or in a certain part of the house, also the word “OUTSIDE” and “NO BEGGING”, these two words for simply going outside and not to beg while you or anyone else around him is eating. He is also learning to not rush out (either gate or out the door). He is making good progress!

Prince is very sweet, he would want to be a lap dog if you let him =) he is just a little too big

He will be adopted out with harness he is wearing, leash, food bowl, 2 toys and left over food!

There will be a small adoption fee (negotiable) to help rescue/foster more dogs in need and provide shelter, food, training, exercise in a loving environment!

Message me with any questions or if interested!

Thank you for looking!

I know I am not alone in my passion and I just didn’t think about others wanting to help but don’t know how or where to start! So upon given it some thought I remembered hearing about a website called ChipIn.com a while back. (http://blog.chipin.com/about/) It allows anyone to collect money for a personal cause.

So here I am, trying this out; amazingly we already have 3 contributors!!!
http://natcia.chipin.com/spayneuter-rescue-dogs

I have extreme passion for dogs and a really soft heart for strays,abandoned and abused ones, my dog rescue is focused on giving them a healthy new start.

Not all of them come healthy, spayed, neutered and with their shots up to date. I take rescue dogs in, feed, exercise, train, make them socialize with other dogs and children, provide a warm loving home to medium and large breeds that need it, then place these rescue dogs for adoption. With your help, I can also spay, neuter and vaccinate those that need it, so they can be ready to get adopted by loving and responsible futrue pet owners.

I do no-profit rescue and I am asking a little handdown from a lot of caring and loving people who can see what a difference we can make in the world, by spaying/neutering rescue dogs.

Thank you to all who have contributed already, Amy, Pehuen and Sam, a world of thank yous to you for caring so much!!

I found him roaming the streets and since I have a soft heart for strays, I took him in as I do with all the dogs that allow me to do so. 

I bring them to safety and way from the streets, where they can get run over or abused.

I called a couple of shelters and he has not been reported lost. He does not have a micro chip and didn’t have a collar. The owner has not come forward, so he is ready for adoption!

If you think you can offer this sweet boy a good home, with a back yard, time to play, take him for walks, feed him every day and make sure he has lots of water and shade, give him a cozy place for him to call home; then let me know.

There will be an adoption fee, every cent that is collected through adoptions, goes to food and supplies for other rescued animals.

Thank you all for reading!

Some info about this sweet fella without a name (yet):
Breed: Pit bull

Age: Just under a year old (estimate)

Sex: Male

Not neutered

Good with other dogs and loves children

Walks good on leash

Loves to play fetch and chase the ball, he will bring it back to you

He knows basic commands

Does not have food aggressions

Will dig if he is bored (daily walks and exercise will keep his mind sharp and out of trouble)

For as along as I can I will be rescuing abandoned and stray dogs. I will also train them to the best of my knowledge and will keep studying about their behavior and new ways to teach them how to co-exist with us humans so they don’t ever lose their homes again.

I will also make this space for information on training, discipline, puppies, adult dogs, rescues, vaccination clinics, spay and neuter low cost clinics, no kill shelters and so much more.

I always welcome anyone who would like to add a bit of knowledge to this space!

We can all make a difference in this world. We all have the choice to do something to help. Adopt a pet from a rescue or a shelter, and give them the hope for a longer life!!