This week I’m going to spend some time talking about my rescue, Dobby. I’m sure most people by now have heard the phrase: adopt, don’t shop, and I’m here to tell you why you should do exactly that!

I’ve been wanting to get my own dog for years, but due to living/work arrangements I had been unable to do so. Even then, I knew I wanted to adopt a dog instead of buying one from a store or a breeder. After all, I know a lot of dogs end up at a shelter because their owners don’t/can’t take care of them, and end up dumping them off somewhere to be someone else’s problem. All animals deserve to be loved, and I knew I could give one a good home and show them what a good life they could have.

Before getting Dobby, I talked with others who had adopted before, and many have said that some dogs are “scarred” so to be speak from their previous owners, and therefore are very timid around strangers, or can act out because they got away with it in their old home. I was a little worried about this, but I could also understand why the animal would feel that way. It’s just like people when we are put into a bad situation. It makes us a little more reserved, or scared to be in the same situation again. But just because one person treated them poorly, doesn’t mean that they are incapable of being a good pet to someone else.

With all of this taken into consideration, I went to adopt my first dog with an open mind. If you’ve read my previous blog posts, you know that Dobby wasn’t my first choice when I arrived at the shelter, and that I had actually gone to adopt a husky. After hanging out with Dobby for a while though, I realized that I really liked this pup and that he and I would get along just fine. And we do! He took to me right from the get go and we have been pretty inseparable ever since.

Now, I’m not saying he’s perfect. Any dog is going to have its quirks – especially one that was first raised by someone else. Ever since bringing him home, I’ve realized that he is very timid around men. They warned me of this at the shelter too, but I didn’t realize just how scared of them he was until we got home. He barked at my dad every time he entered the room for days after I brought him home. My brother came to visit, and Dobby wouldn’t go anywhere near him. It really makes you wonder what could have happened to him before he came to the shelter, and who must have mistreated him so that he no longer trusts men.

I think that is a huge reason why I am so glad I adopted Dobby. Thinking about him being mistreated, or spending his life at the pound, breaks my heart for him, and other animals who have been through the same situation. I wish I could adopt all the cats and dogs and make sure that every single one of them live a good life, and didn’t die feeling like nobody wanted them. Every person AND animal deserves to live a happy life full of love, instead of feeling like a burden or being afraid to live in your own home.

So, if you’re considering getting a new furry friend for yourself or your family, I strongly encourage you to adopt! You’ll be giving an animal a loving home, and who knows! Maybe they’ll rescue you, too 🙂

Until next time!

Megan Reiffenberger