You’ve made the decision: you’re ready to bring a new dog into your life. Since you are reading this column, I’m guessing you’ve also decided to rescue your new pal from a shelter—maybe because your heart goes out to the thousands of homeless dogs who need and deserve a loving family, or maybe because you know, either from experience or through the experience of others, that shelter dogs are overwhelmingly grateful for a second chance and they express that gratitude through devotion and unconditional love.
I salute you for your wisdom and your humanity. Quite simply, you rock!
So, you hop into your car and head over to the Aiken County Animal Shelter, and there you find dogs of every color and shape, age, and gender. Some dogs bounce around their kennels, some bark, some cower in the corner, and then there’s that goofy-looking spotted mutt in Kennel 12 calmly assessing every passerby with a look that says, Are you the one?
Overwhelming, right? Here’s the good news: county adoption staff and FOTAS volunteers are there to help you choose. There are a number of factors to consider.
Do you live alone or with a family? Do you have small children? Are there other dogs in your home? Cats? Do you work all day? Do you have an outdoor area for your dog to run and play? Is your idea of heaven a hike through the Hitchcock Woods or a night on the couch watching Law and Order reruns? Do you prefer small dogs or large dogs?
Of course, there are no hard and fast rules, but there are some guidelines that may help. For example, if you live alone and work all day, you might want to adopt a mature, even a senior dog, who is happy keeping your place on the couch warm until you return. If you have small children, you might consider a calm, gentle dog that won’t accidently knock your toddler over in an exuberant burst of affection.
If you’re an active person who spends lots of time outdoors, then a younger, energetic dog would make a great companion. On the other hand, if your idea of rigorous activity is gardening, you might look for a companion that is happy to stroll around the yard with you and watch for squirrels while you weed.
Do you have another dog? Is that dog sociable with other dogs, indifferent, or dog aggressive? Do you need a dog that likes, or at least, tolerates cats?
You get the picture. Shelter staff and FOTAS volunteers will explore all these issues with you to help you make the right choice for your life and circumstances. Why? Because a wrong choice only increases the chance that the dog you select might end up in the shelter . . . again.
But here’s the thing: despite our best efforts to help you make rational choices, the heart isn’t always an obedient servant. Maybe you’ll walk through the kennels and lock eyes with that goofy-looking spotted mutt in Kennel 12 and inexplicably, somewhere deep in your soul, desire sparks love and your spirit responds to Are you the one? with Yes! I am the one.
You know what? That’s okay, too. We’re suckers for a good love story.
Their lives are in our hands.
— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President
BY THE NUMBERS
From Nov. 1 to 15, the Aiken County Animal Shelter received 182 strays and surrendered pets – an average of 12 animals per day. Please spay/neuter your pets!
PETS OF THE WEEK
JAY
Mixed breed, male, 5 years old, brindle & white, 67 pounds – $35
DINA
Domestic Shorthair kitten, female, 2 months old, Calico, 2 pounds – $10
