A Dog Scared to Death of Everyone Just Needed a Hug - The Most Beautiful Video

[Coyote_Bandit]

76. Rescue animals make wonderful companions

Thank you for your work with Edie. Your/her story is inspiring and touching.

I've had rescue animals for decades. I grew up in a rural area. We took in all the animals that were dumped and expected to fend for themselves. We cared for them all and gave them all a home. The only ones we ever put down were the ones who were so physically aggressive that they threatened the survival of another animal.

Every animal I have ever had was in immediate need of a home. I am well acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of taking in rescue animals. I've got nothing against rescue animals. But they often come with limitations. Sometimes those limitations are emotional and behavioral and sometimes they are physical - and often they are not readily apparent.

You're right, it is incredibly rewarding to earn the trust of an animal that has been abused and neglected and treated badly by humans. It can be a long process as they learn to trust, learn basic obedience skills and then learn to perfect those skills and to perform. Some are better suited for that journey than others. And it is a journey that some simply lack the temperment or physical ability to complete.

The vast majority of people who want a pet would do well to take in a rescue animal. Most people simply want an animal companion and many are willing to overlook all but the most egregious behavior problems. Most people do not train their animals to the level required to get their good citizen certificate much less do therapy work, earn an obedience title or do agility work. Those who train to do therapy or agility work often do so for reasons that are completely unrelated to competition and recognition. The same is often true of those who do rally obedience or get their companion dog title. Many dog clubs do not permit the dogs to enroll in agility or rally training until they have demonstrated the obedience skills required to get a CD title. But there are people who want to do all that and earn their open and utility A & B titles. They need a dog that is suited to this purpose if they are successful.

I don't find it unreasonable for somebody who is going to invest several hundred hours a year for 5 or 6 years in training and competition to seek out and buy a dog from a responsible, reputable breeder. That said, there are not many responsible breeders nor are there a lot of people with the skill, the desire and the time to train and compete at that level.

Not everyone who desires to train and compete at this level is able to keep and work with 5 or 6 dogs at a time. Some are limited to keeping only 1 or 2 dogs. If they take in a dog that proves to be unsuitable for whatever reason then they are left to either re-home the dog or wait perhaps another 5 to 10 years or more for another opportunity to train with another dog.

I just think there are some circumstances where it is reasonable to buy a dog from a responsible breeder. Not alot but some. I don't think we should condemn everyone who buys a dog. There is no good reason for people to buy designer dogs or papered pets or puppy mill offspring.