This website is dedicated to Golden Retrievers because I had a Golden Retriever that I loved dearly.
I also had a mixed breed, Smokey, that I also loved dearly. We adopted Smokey from a shelter. He was our dog before Buddy.
My boys wanted a puppy and we wanted to give a shelter dog a home.
Getting My Shelter Puppy
So we went to a nearby shelter and asked to see puppies up for adoption. There was this 10 week old puppy. He was so cute. He kept jumping on us which was a sign for us to take him home.
We had to fill out papers about ourselves, our lifestyle and would we have enough time to spend with the puppy. After the application was approved and we paid a small fee, we took the puppy home.
Smokey was a great family pet. That cute little ball of fur grew to be 110 lbs. I didn’t care. I love big dogs. We had 10 wonderful years with Smokey. Unfortunately, at the age of 10, Smokey got cancer and died.
Smokey had to have his spleen removed. When they opened him the cancer had spread. Then one day, I think he waited until everyone was out of the house, he laid down and died.
That shelter dog gave us as much love as Buddy did.
I wonder what would have happened to Smokey if we didn’t adopt him.
Shelter Dogs
There is a myth about shelter dogs. Not every shelter dog has issues. Shelter dogs are strays, abandoned, lost or surrendered. Some are 
friendly, active, playful and loving dogs that were surrendered through no fault of their own. Yes, some are abused, broken or problematic. The have been through traumatic experiences and need more medical or behavioral care.
Shelters have mix breed dogs and pure breeds. They have dogs of all sizes and ages.
Rescue organizations have all dogs checked by a veterinarian. They also assess the pet’s personality and behaviors to match pets with the ideal owners.
Puppy Or Adult Dog
Now the question is whether to adopt a puppy or adult dog?
If you choose to adopt a mixed puppy, you will not know the personalty of the puppy. You will also not know how big the puppy will grow. Also, if you adopt a puppy, it will be up to you to have it spayed or neutered. Puppies also require a lot of training.
Choosing an adult dog that is house broken and knows basic commands maybe a better fit for you. An adult dog has probably grown to its full size, which is important if the dog’s size matters to you. Hopefully, the adult dog has been spayed or neutered.
When Your Adopted Dog Comes Home
When your new dog or puppy comes home, it will probably be scared. It was probably in a pen or run with a few other dogs or puppies. 
Now it is alone. The new addition to your family needs time to get used to its new surroundings. Give your dog a space of its own, maybe a crate or even a room. The first few days your dog or puppy is home should be quiet with few visitors.
Puppy proof your house. Remove anything that may harm your puppy and all small items that can be easily swallowed.
Because of the living situation in shelters, your dog or puppy may have some bad habits. Chewing, urination, jumping and pulling are common problems. With some training, they can be corrected.
No-Kill Shelters
A no-kill shelter is a shelter that does not kill healthy or treatable animals even what the shelter is full. No-kill shelters are dedicated to finding homes for as many pets as possible. Only terminally ill animals are euthanized. The consensus is the 90 percent of animals will be adopted. Volunteers, fundraisers, promotions and medical protocols keep these shelters running.
You Saved A Life
Your adopted puppy or dog will need a lot of love. In time it will give you love in return. Giving a shelter dog a home is a wonderful thing. Shelters give their animals the best care possible but there is nothing like a home and a family.
Most importantly, you saved a life.
I think that everyone who wants a dog should try to adopt one from a shelter. These are the dogs that really need you, not the pedigree ones that are being overbred.
We have had many shelter dogs over my life span and they have all been the best dogs as pets, as well as the fact that they never got sick, unlike the pedigree chow we once had that was permanently at the vet.
For some reason, mongrels just seem hardier and they are definitely easier to care for.
Yes for some reason they are healthier. Both my dogs were healthy until the end.
After Smokey died, we decided to get a golden retriever because I fell in love with my boss’ dog. I can’t tell you how guilty I felt for such a long time. I felt I had to explain my reasoning to everyone. As a child we always had shelter dogs. Buddy was my only pure breed.
Sweet it’s Published! View on my Site
Getting to adopt a shelter dog is awesome and that is what most of us should do. Though it may appear daunting at first but with time, it will be totally cool. They often take a lot of time to get in love and adapt to the environment but then, when they do, they will totally be adorable to own. Very great write up you have written here. Thank you and I will try to share out to people more
Thank you Smokey was my shelter dog. After he died, we decided to get a golden retriever because I fell in love with my boss’ dog. I can’t tell you how guilty I felt for such a long time. I felt I had to explain my reasoning to everyone.
Love this post! We’ve recused 3 adult dogs from shelters over the years, and took one on that needed to be re-homed. A couple of them had some minor issues to deal with, but they were all great girls and were a wonderful part of our family. The last one we had was a collie/husky mix on the medium size and she was an absolute gem. Very teachable and great mild personality. As you said, it’s a myth that all shelter dogs have problems.
Besides, taking on a pet is a commitment to a living creature, and they all have individual personalities and needs. The problem is many people think they are getting a stuffed toy., and don’t do enough research into what it really means to adopt and live with a dog.
I haven’t had one for about a year, and your post has made me think about looking for a new companion. I’m getting older, too, so I like the idea of adopting an adult dog who fits my lifestyle and age. I do a lot of walking, so my dogs become my walking buddies. Great for them and me.
Great post!
Stella 🙂
Adopting would be a good thing. Smokey had a few issues but we worked through them. Once an animal comes into my home, it is in my home forever
Giving a shelter dog a home is as good as accommodating a fellow human and it is just like saving a life from being homeless. I’ll rather adopt a puppy because I’ll be able to train it as I want it to be right from young. One thing I’ll like to emphasize is the Check done on the dogs, it should be thorough and accordingly because these shelter dogs are stray, homeless dogs and might have been infected by some kinds of diseases. The comfort of the dogs should be the first thing to be considered when adopting one, how the dog will settle in conveniently and blend with time. Thanks for sharing this information.
I always got puppies. I wanted the puppy to grow up with sons. But I realize adult dogs need homes too. Adult dogs would be good for seniors or people who do not want to go through housebreaking. Most shelters do a thorough check on the health of a dog. Shelters have come a long way.
Giving a shelter dog a home is as good as accommodating a fellow human and it is just like saving a life from being homeless. I’ll rather adopt a puppy because I’ll be able to train it as I want it to be right from young. One thing I’ll like to emphasize is the Check done on the dogs, it should be thorough and accordingly because these shelter dogs are stray, homeless dogs and might have been infected by some kinds of diseases. The comfort of the dogs should be the first thing to be considered when adopting one, how the dog will settle in conveniently and blend with time. Thanks for sharing this information.
Great article 🙂
Once you bring a pet home they become apart of the family.
For those looking in to adopting, its information like this that can really help. These organisations, volunteers and fundraisers do an amazing job at keeping shelters running and an even more special shout out to those people who open their hearts and doors to give another animal a chance for a better life.
Ts. I usually write about Goldens but I felt shelter dogs need a voice