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Thank you for your interest in adopting a "Rescue." We are looking for good homes, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you are serious about adopting one of our pets listed, please call or email us for more information. We'll get back to you as soon as possible. Some of our dogs are in CT, and some may still be in Tennessee, but awaiting foster space to come to CT.
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So You Think You Want to Adopt a Dog? Here's What You Need to Know:
The idea of adopting a dog from a rescue organization sounds ideal. Most strays or surrendered dogs have been through quite a lot unfortunately. Many of these babies, but not all, have experienced very difficult situations and circumstances. They often end up making the best pets because they are so grateful to be in a loving, safe home. However, getting to that point may take a lot of effort on your part and may take more time than you may realize. Fairytale vs. Reality: Ever see pictures in magazines or commercials on TV where there's a kid playing with a puppy and being licked all over? Or maybe it's a dog running in a field after a frisbee with a beautiful background? Or even perhaps, a woman working from home sipping on her coffee while her dog is laying in her lap perfectly behaving? Those are usually the images most have in mind when they think about getting a dog. Although it is possible for those exact scenarios to happen, what you don't see is how long it took to train them and what it took to get to that point. The reality is that having a dog can be time consuming and a challenging, including a rescued dog. You cannot expect them to be perfect and already trained. You have to be ready to spend time helping them adjust to your home, family members, and new surroundings. It won't happen over night. Here are some questions to ask yourself: What will you do if your new dog pees in the floor? What will you do if your new dog chews a hole in your favorite couch? What will you do if your new dog bolts through any door just to beat you to the other side? What will you do if your new dog snaps at you because he doesn't want to give up your new shoe that he's chewed up? These are all possible scenarios, as no dog is perfect. Are you still willing to commit to this adoption 100%? Backroad Rescue Brigade prides ourselves on placing each dog in the right home. We spend hours and days just trying to make the best match possible. We can't guarantee any perfect dog. We do work with them and try to learn them as best we can in choosing the right homes. Bottom line, it's not taken lightly. We're not looking to transport them and then out of sight, out of mind. We invest so much time, love, and labor into these babies then turn them over to you to do the exact same. Are you willing to do that too ? Are you truly committed? An Excellent Resource: We found an excellent blog written by Patricia McConnell that explains all of this so well. We've attached the link and we want you to read it in it's entirety. She points out 3 specific misconceptions that seem to occur when a person adopts a rescue dog but the biggest take away from it is when she states, "Most importantly: Think long term, as in, it is going to take three months for my new dog to begin to settle in, and a full year for that to happen completely." In other words, if your new dog is having trouble still adjusting after a week, three weeks, or a month- that's to be expected! http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/ three-ways-to-confuse-a-new-dog Final Thoughts: These babies have already been given up on, mistreated, and/or abandoned. They're traveling a long way to be with you. If you have any doubts that you can't provide what these babies need, please reconsider adopting. Giving up on them after a short time should not be an option or even a second thought. There's always options or resources to help with any issues that may arise with your new dog. It starts with you. If you really want to help them and want a dog, giving up shouldn't be in your vocabulary. Ask yourself, do I really want a dog or do I just like the idea of having one? Are you ready to invest in them and commit to however long it takes to help them adjust and settle into their fur-ever home? |
