This Will Absolutely Melt Your Heart: Shelter Dogs’ Reactions To Being Adopted

While searching for a video to write an article around, I came across the video below and I was immediately smitten. The look of pure joy on the faces of these dogs was something I will never forget. Imagine being in a place like that, not knowing if you will ever come out alive and to suddenly realize that you are going home with a person, or family, that will love you for the rest of your life and you will never be alone, or lost, ever again.

The reactions of these dogs says everything, how could you not have tear filled eyes watching something like this, you’d have to have a heart of stone to not feel something.

There are alot of people who when looking to get a dog as a pet, want a puppy, that way they can raise it and train it so that it will fit into their family. Sadly, older dogs get passed over because of this, the chances of an older doge being adopted are less than that of a puppy.

After a dog arrives in a shelter, some dogs will hide in the back of the kennel, be less active or stop eating. Some dogs may behave aggressively in response to stress, while other dogs will begin to perform repetitive behaviors, increase their frequency of barking/vocalization, become destructive, and start to urinate and defecate in their kennel. This may make it more difficult to find that dog a home.

Each year, approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized (390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats). The number of dogs and cats euthanized in U.S. shelters annually has declined from approximately 2.6 million in 2011.

When you bring a dog home from a shelter, it can take on average four to six weeks for youForever Homer new rescue dog’s personality to surface. Some experts  say, don’t expect to get a lot of sleep, don’t expect the pup to be perfect, and don’t expect them to come into their new home exhibiting their true personality. It all takes time. The best thing you can do is go slowly.

It’s very common for rescue dogs to display varying behavior while transitioning to a new home. Your dog is likely stressed in their new environment simply because it’s new and they are afraid of the unknown.

If you have patience and a lot of love in your heart, your new dog will adjust to his, or her new home quicker and every one will be happier.

If you are on the fence on whether or not to get a dog as a pet, visit your local animal shelter and see what they have to offer. Remember, these animals don’t understand why they are there, especially if they were placed there by their previous owners. Like humans, all they want is to be loved and cared for.

If you are looking for a dog, I hope this article has helped you make a decision.