Is it strange???

Question

I've been looking to add another dog to my already existing dog family of two yorkies. I would like to adopt a dog from a shelter b/c I know it would help save a life, however everytme I step foot in a shelter I end up crying uncontrollably b/c it pains me to see all these animals in their cages looking at me with those sad eyes. It hurts to watch people walk right by the older dogs (as the dogs try to get their attention) straight to the puppies b/c people don't want adult dogs. I want to take them all home and it really pains me that I can't, which is why I just end up crying like a baby and leave without doing anything. My two yorkies were given to me as gifts, and I feel guilty purchasing a puppy when i know there are perfectly deserving animals in shelters, however purchasing one makes me feel better being that I know that those puppies are guaranteed homes. Does this make sense, or am I just nuts? Please no mean comments, thank you :)

Answer 1

I know how you feel, I am a sucker for caged animals too. But buying one at a shelter is ALWAYS better than buying from a pet store! I know it is sad to see all the other ones and knowing they may not make it, but a majority of puppies in pet stores, unless they are from the Humane Society(like at Petsmart) come from puppy mills and that is BAD news. A lot of times, their parents are raised and kept in bad conditions and the puppies themselves may not be very healthy or ill-tempered, and buying from a pet store only encourages this practice. And they may even end up in the shelter eventually too, you dont know for sure. Even though those puppies need homes too, it is a great thing to save a dog who may be facing euthanasia in the shelter. I know how you feel, but try to just think about the positive aspect of adopting a dog out of a shelter and giving it a good life. So pick out your doggy, the one that is right for you, it may be hard, but stay strong, and get the heck out of there and enjoy your new friend! P.s. Also, when you purchase one from a shelter, that is usually a donation to the shelter itself and that can help other animals too.

Answer 2

It makes sense. I was just happy when to the shelter because it meant that for the first time in my life, I was going to have a dog of my own.

And I understand about the older dogs. As much as I want an older dog, I love my 2 year old dog. When I get older I'll adopt some old dogs from a shelter, but since I'm young, I want a dog who I can enjoy for at least 10 years or more. I got my dog from the shelter 6 months ago and he was 18 months old. There are plenty of young dogs that are at shelters, you may just have to look extra hard. Or go to another shelter. There were only like three old dogs at the one I went to.

Maybe you should just think of it as good that you're saving at least one life and not contributing to puppy mills.

Answer 3

No, it's not strange.

A lot of people have given really good responses, so I'm just going to keep it short. Puppies are fun and cute, but just because a dog is older doesn't mean it can't and won't be as active, loving, fun as a younger dog.

Whatever you decide, make a promise to the dog (and yourself) to give it the best life possible, and of course, spay or neuter.

If you're really serious about helping the shelter pets, go over and volunteer. You might not be able to save them, but at least you can give them a bit of happiness.

Answer 4

There are NOT always homes for the puppies that are bred on purpose and buying from people who over breed only encourages them. Many irresponsible breeders simply dump their surplus on their local animal control. I find shelters incredibly painful too. I can't bring myself to volunteer to take pictures and post on petfinder for my local animal control because I know that eventually I'd have to be medicated, but I'll be darned if I'll BUY a puppy because it's too painful to adopt. Go through a rescue. They'll do the hard part for you and you'll be making room in their rescue for yet another dog to be pulled from a high kill shelter.

Answer 5

I have gone into a shelter before and I saw the cats that were in the cages and I went home and got on the phone with my mother and cried and I told her I can't stand that the animals are in cages. I do the same thing when I go to a zoo. You have feelings that you see animals in cages and that is the only way people show it when they see something that they don't like. I feel the same way you feel when I see animals in cages so I know what it is like I have done it before.
When I was at the shelter I saw people go to the kittens and not the older cats. I had to walk out because I was to up-set to see the cats like that.

Answer 6

Go back to the shelter and pick out a dog, an older dog. Take him/her home. Then tell yourself every day that you will do the best for your dogs that you can inspite of the fact that there are many more who are not so lucky. All you can do is to do right by your animals and not add to that population at the shelters. Don't deny one of those needy dogs a new home because you get so upset when you are there. Buck up and go pick one!

Answer 7

No your not nuts. Many of us have this difficulty.
I own, oops refraise that, I get to share my life with 7 FCR`s.
I have had others that have since left for the Rainbow Bridge breaking my heart. Everytime I lose a dog I stop in at the local no kill shelter to spend time with the dogs there.
Most of them being older ones that I will spend time with. They too deserve our love and attention even if it is only for a visit.
I always walk away feeling even sader than when I went in.
I can just never understand how folks can just get rid of their older dogs to a shelter that will never be able to place them, so in my heart i try to justify my actions by just knowing that i put a little happiness in their hearts even if it was just for a short time.
So many people just look the other way when they see these dogs.
I just wish that people would just stop in at their local shelter and share some love with these older dogs that at one time were giving their unconditional love to some one that used to call them their`s.
Floren DeWaard
Wiley Creek Kennels

Answer 8

dont feel guilty, any normal person feels remorse, some people just hold it back like i do. I tend not to get older dogs from the shelter though because its a lot harder to train older dogs than it is younger dogs. i do not adopt puppys however. i adopt dogs about 4 months of age because they dont need as constant care as puppys or elder dogs

Answer 9

I, too, have a very difficult time walking through shelters, and I do purebred rescue. I usually end up crying.

I know you want to give a puppy a home, but please *do* consider rescuing and giving a dog a good home. If you don't want to go into the shelters, there are plenty of rescues you can contact with dogs in foster homes -- you can avoid the shelter entirely if you want to.

If you are interested in adopting a Yorkie, I answered another question about them with a list of Yorkie rescue websites. I'll see if I can find it...

ADDED: Here it is:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aureb3MBRyiJDbthFXhpmNzty6IX?qid=20070416202303AACkHOQ&show=7#profile-info-AA10184089

Answer 10

if I were you, i would contact a breed rescue for whichever breed that you wanted. You will have to pay for the dog, but they often come with a known history. You will also be supporting a good cause. Too often, i don't think shelters are ran properly. I would give my money to a rescue before giving it to a kill-shelter. The rescues are a good cause and they do more for educating the public and taking good care of the dogs. Also, they will match you up with the animal that is right for you.