It’s Officially Puppy Season!

Puppy Season is upon us! It sounds exciting doesn’t it? Puppies are adorable and make us smile! They smell good and make the sweetest sounds. Later in life, the smell and sounds as they sit in the shelter aren’t quite as appealing. I know there are people who want to share the miracle of birth and the wonder of these new, precious lives with their kids or just for themselves. May I make a suggestion?

If you really want that puppy experience, (or an “accident” occurs because the dog wasn’t neutered/spayed), and you can keep and care for all of the pups throughout their lives, great. If you are like most and about five weeks into the adventure of puppy-dom the thrill is gone and you place ads on Craigslist or wait in front of the grocery store with a basket of pups, here’s an alternative. Connect with a local rescue group or shelter and offer to foster a pregnant dog or her puppies, and then you can have the experience and feel great about your contribution.

There are a lot of reputable breeders who have waiting lists of people wanting their dogs. This is not about you. While I may think a moratorium on breeding sounds like a great idea, it’s not the solution. The ones most responsible for the over-population wouldn’t participate any way!

I know I say it often, but do what you can to help the shelters and rescue/foster organizations. You may be surprised at what may seem like a little feels like a lot to those who need your help.

If you want to adopt a puppy or any dog for that matter, I am very happy to help hook you up with a rescue or to check out the area shelters for you. It can be overwhelming, but trust me, it’s well worth it!