{color:#000080}This is Brody, he is one lucky dog! He was taken to an animal rescue shelter in New Jersey. Why is Brody lucky? Because an animal rescue shelter is a safe haven for homeless dogs and/or cats. They can stay there until someone adopts them and makes them a part of their family.{color}Most dogs and cats just aren't that lucky. There aren't as many animal rescue shelters are there are homeless dogs in the world. City run shelters normally give a dog 7 to 10 days to be adopted. Older dogs are at a great disadvantage here. Most people want a puppy because they are cute and playful. But, an older dog has already been someone's family member and companion. He has some training and will be that much more easy to have around because he already is house trained in most cases. Special needs dogs who came from an abusive enviorment, or have lost a leg are deaf or blind fare the worst. These dogs may exhibit fearfulness, have behavioral problems like chewing everything in sight during a thunder storm.
A blind dog can still learn to get around if you are willing to work with a trainer. Like a disabled child, he just takes a little more patience and love. He can learn where things are and locate by one of a dogs most powerful senses smell. He can still hear you and with enough training will gladly do anything you ask of him.
A deaf dog can see you and smell you. Instad of saying "sit" you learn to give him hand signals. You may need to work with a trainer, but like the blind dog he'll be your best friend forever because you care enough. Think of Hellen Keller and Annie Sullivan. Hellen was a wild child beacuse she was both deaf and blind. Everyone felt sorry for her. Then Annie came into her life. Nearly blind herself Annie knew what this lost child needed the most. Exercise, disaplin and love. So it is with all dogs, especially those like Hellen who have special needs.
These special needs dogs and older dogs, the dogs who could benefit from an experienced owners patience and training, are the first to be "humainly euthanized". Some city or county shelters find it too expensive to sedate the dog until he dies. They go by many names but the economical expedient of "humanly euthanizing a dog or cat" is to put them en masse into a vacuum chamber and then suck all the air out! There's nothing humane about it. Even the best dogs who might need a little more time for the right family to find them face the needle or the vacuum chamber after their time is up.
If you look on http://Petfinder.com and see the word URGENT next to a dog or cat's name. It means that they weren't lucky to find their way to a foster family or a no-kill shelter until they were adopted. For whatever reason they are in a kill shelter and an animal rescue shelter has run out of space. The dog or cat is running out of time. A pet who was once a long time companion or even kittens and puppies are facing iminent death through no fault of their own.
This is mostly about dogs, because I volunteer as a dog walker at the local animal rescue shelter. It's a winning experience to get to know many wonderful dogs each with their own personality. Dogs can teach you a lot about things if you pay attention. A dog is always happy to see members of his family. Shelter dogs are even more exhubrient in showing their joy at seeing you. Now, no matter the mood wouldn't it be a great experience to feel that same kind of excitement ok, maybe not so over the top, but wouldn't it be great to be a part of something like that with our fellow humans?
Dogs don't fixate on "what if" or "I should have", they don't project into the future. Mostly they live for the moment. That's why if they ate the cats food about an hour ago, and you are just yelling at them now...why they haven't a clue why you are showing such aggression. Even the cat wasn't upset. She just went over and ate the dogs food.
On the plus side, even if you blow your top and your dog is confused, he'll forget your momentary aggression and come by your side a little while later. Dogs don't hold grudges. Dogs don't waste their days trying to get even. Chihuahuas may be yappy little things, but who else would go crazy over your left over Taco Bell? You haven't lived until you've seen the contortions a larger dog goes into trying to be your lap dog. It's just a hoot!
Some terriers delight in playing lame dog for new people in their space. While on their belly, they drag themselves forward with limp hind legs dragging behind them. If they really want to have a turn with this new human, they will even drag themselves down the stairs wimpering all the way. Yes, you'd swear that some terriers have a wicked sense of humor!
If you can't adopt, and you can't volunteer thenmake a donation. Support the animal rescue shelter near you. Almost
all will take a major credit card. Some shelters will even take Paypal.
Times are tight, not everyone can afford to donate money. Check with the shelter, maybe those old towels, sheets or bedspread can makea dog feel just a little more comfortable on his shelter bed. You'vejust bought a new flatscreen monitor and don't know what to do withyour old big clunky one that still works well but took too much space. Check with the shelter. they might need something just like that. .
{color:#000080}What about Brodie? About a week after his picture and bio appeard on Petfinder.com someone came to take him home never again to be homeless. Save a dog or cat today. If you adopt a dog, one day you will see your dog smile back at you. Yes dogs smile. It's very, very subtile. When a dog smiles, the corners of his mouth turn up a little. Cats purr and will to let you know that even if you can't walk them on a leash or always come when you call. Cats purr to say to you, "I'm very happy to be with you." {color}
