(Consider) Adopt Don’t Shop

We’ve heard it all before, “Adopt Don’t Shop”. Christmas is around the corner, which means families often purchase puppies as gifts for their loved ones. And trust me, I know how appealing it sounds to purchase a puppy from the breeder. They’re guaranteed with good genes (or your money back), are purebred, are vaccinated before you get them, and you know their past history. But if you are considering getting a dog this holiday season, I would strongly encourage you to look at nearby shelters or adoption agencies as they often have adorable puppies and dogs who are in need of a good home. Who knows, you might just fall in love!

There are plenty of benefits for adopting or rescuing a dog. They’re often much more affordable than buying a purebred dog from a breeder, and rescue dogs often have an incredible bond with their owner and live to please you. If you’re looking for an older dog, they might even already be trained! But nothing feels better than knowing that you saved that animal’s life.

When I went to Chile, I was not planning on getting attached to Luci or any dog for that matter. And I certainly wasn’t planning on bringing any dogs home. But I’ve always wanted to adopt a dog, and I was in a good place in my life where I felt I was responsible enough to do so. In the beginning, I wasn’t even positive I would be keeping Luci, but I knew I wanted to bring her to Canada where she would have a better life, whether with me or in another loving home. (But as you know, we couldn’t resist and kept the little cutie).

If you are considering getting a dog but don’t know if you’re up for the challenge, there are plenty of foster programs where you can temporarily foster a dog to see if it’s something for you. Often times, you will even be provided with all of the food and supplies you need! What could be better?! There are also foster-to-adopt programs where you may choose a dog to foster with the hopes of adopting, but with no strings attached. If it’s not a good fit, you can try a different dog and see if that one may be a better fit for you and your family. These sorts of programs are great because the shelters and agencies know these animals and can find you a suitable match based on what you’re looking for and your lifestyle.

Finally, please know that I’m not shaming anyone for getting a puppy from a breeder. I know that option might be best for certain families and that is 100% okay. All I want is for people to consider checking out a shelter or adoption agency before making any decisions, as you may be surprised by what you find. And most of all, please take the time to make an informed decision about whether you are ready to get a dog and give it the love and care it deserves before getting one.

How could anyone resist that face?!