Love begins somewhere

Waiting pretty soon for some images of Foxy in her new home I was just thinking, you know what, that little dog changed in here, was so shy and now got so relaxed :) that's also a part of rescue, the first part, making dogs feel better even if [yes I know I say it a lot] at shelter is not at home but only a temporary stage from stray to pet :)

Summer time: fun & colours in the shelter

Adopting an adult or senior dog

There are many advantages to adopting an older dog, the first being you know exactly what you are getting when it comes to size and temperament. The downside is you will never really know about their past. The rescue will know where they came from and will have got to know the dog, which means they can advise you of the dog's strengths and weaknesses. The thing you have to bear in mind, is that your new pet will need lots of time to settle in their new environments and you will need to show them loads of patience until your new four legged friend understands and fits in to your routine.

​What you see is what you get

Past a certain age a pet's personality is pretty much set in stone and is unlikely to change, so when you go to see a dog in a rescue centre you'll know what to expect when you take them home. A small adult dog is always going to be small and likewise, a quiet and gentle character is likely going to stay the same way too. It's pretty difficult if not impossible to know how a puppy will turn out as they grow older and a quiet timid puppy might turn into a real live wire when they grow up. If you are looking to get a specific size or personality from a new dog then your best option is definitely an adult dog.

​Benefits of an older dog

Whilst getting an older pet may not initially seem to be the best idea for you or your family, perhaps you should consider both your situation and the realities of pet ownership. For example, maybe you are a healthy, young and active couple or family but will be out for part or most of the day during weekdays due to work and school commitments. This would mean your new pet would probably be left to their own devices for the most part of the day and depending on what type of dog you have it could potentially begin to cause problems. Where a puppy will want constant attention and plenty of walks, an older dog will be more than happy with a few brisk walks a day with longer ones at the weekend and will enjoy having peace and quiet while being able to rest in front of a nice warm fire or radiator during the times you're out. So, whereas you'd come back to a happy and peaceful older dog, if you leave a young, untrained puppy alone for too long you'll likely come back to a redesigned living room.