Everyone knows that puppies are quite possibly the most sunshiny, wonderful thing on the planet. Puppy breath in your face and a squirmy ball of fur in your lap should be a regular form of therapy. I love puppies. I love to look at puppies and hold them, squish them and play with them.
And then I gladly give them back.
Puppies are pint-sized troublemakers. They need to explore everything, and the way they do that is by sniffing and chewing with their razor sharp teeth. Unless you are okay with a puppy chewing on anything near or on the floor, constant supervision is a must. Also, puppies don’t sleep through the night. They are vocal and high-pitched when they wake up, and Lord help you if you need to wake up early for work. Puppies need very, very frequent potty breaks, and then they will inevitably piddle on the floor a few minutes after coming back in anyway. Puppies demand an enormous amount of time, especially if you want them to be properly socialized. They need to go everywhere, do everything and experience it all. Puppy classes are a must and they don’t come cheap. Puppies are balls of energy that wear out quickly and are easily removed from situations, but then they grow and become stronger and still don’t have the maturity to consistently follow directions. Nipping, jumping, house training accidents and chewing are all very common in puppies under a year. So yes, I will gladly get my fill of puppy love but then I hand them right back to where they came from.
The reason is this: With adult dogs, you know what you’re getting. There are no hidden secrets behind their looks, shedding level, personality, temperament, likes/dislikes or energy level. Foster homes are the best thing ever invented because when you are ready to adopt, the parent can tell you everything you need to know about that particular dog to minimize any mismatches. Adult dogs commonly will be referred to as “used” by people unfamiliar with the animal rescue world. The animal world is working hard to change this perception. We are extremely proud of our adult dogs and excited about the potential they each have. Adult dogs, especially ones in foster care, are house trained, crate trained, know basic commands, and are working toward individualized goals of polite leash walking or appropriate behavior with guests in the home.
We have wonderful (and I say wonderful not because I want them to be adopted, but because they really will melt your hearts, heal your soul, and care for your kids and family) adult dogs that are waiting for you. Or your brother. Or mother. Or sister, cousin, stepdad, friend, coworker or boss, etc, etc, etc....
Consider helping Izzy - she needs you!
