Mistfit or a Match For Life?

Are shelters full of misfits? Of course they are! There are high energy dogs taken home by mellow, homebodies. There are dogs that would like nothing more than to lie at your feet all day but end up in a house full of children that want to dress them up. There are dogs that love to 'work'. By that, we mean is they love to learn, learn, learn new things! They may find themselves in a home that wanted a dog that was just content to be there. And there is nothing wrong with any of these dogs in and of themselves! But the harsh truth is that they are labeled. Labled "odd ducks", "square pegs", "odd balls" and many other defamatory words included the worst, 'returns'. This....all because the word that could really describe the situation was 'misfit'. A situation that didn't work. It didn't work, it wasn't right and it all could have been avoided from the beginning with a little bit of help. First, one needs to make the right fit between dog and potential family. Once assured that the match is right,  the rest is called 'rehoming skills' and there are lots and lots of books written about it. Tons of info on the 'net, too!

So, when adopting a dog, make a list of what you want from your new family member. Want a dining companion? So did we! And here she sits. Astrid Nicole, social butterfly and you can tell, she is a little 'older'. And so are we.

Great Pictures Boost Shelter Dogs Chances

No matter how broad minded and informed we might think we are, the picture of a shelter dog in a beautiful setting will elicit an awwww and draw our interest. Take that same dog and tie him to a door, taking his picture while he stands there nervously and that awww will turn to a pitiful one, probably with the thought that we hope someone overlooks his surroundings and gives him a second chance at a good home anyway. The saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" is especially true when applied to shelter dogs. Shelters know that they just often are too busy tending to each new dog that arrives at the shelter often at a frantic pace. Often shelter workers are over worked, under paid (if at all) and emotionally drained from the sight of one beautiful animal after another that has been thrown away at a human's whim and ending up at their shelter.

Pet Finder, along with the Center For Shelter Dogs are teaming up and are currently taking a survey on Pet Finder's website to see what makes a picture most appealing. We are really looking forward to how they are going to use this information to better the chances of finding a forever home for shelter dogs. Until their new information is available, Astrid (alumnus of Santa Cruz Humane Society) and I hope that everyone, whether you are considering adopting or going to share a photo of an animal in need, will look past the background of a picture and look to the soul....and all the other things...size, temperament, age (Senior Dog Rocks!), etc., etc., that will help you make the decision of whether that dog in the picture might be right for your family.