adoption
Our guide to animal adoption; learn why, where, and how to prepare to adopt a cat, kitten, dog or puppy from an animal shelter or rescue group.
Her Name Was . . . Dropspin?
Sitting at home alone while my boyfriend was off on long work trips, I decided that our house needed a four-legged family member. I should bite my tongue for saying that a gay man can watch the Golden Girls only so much before needing the vacancy on the sofa beside him filled, but that’s where I was in my head. However, not since my teen years had I cared for a pet in any of the places that I lived, and the more I considered it the more I longed for a furry buddy.
By Marc Preston Moss5 years ago in Petlife
Rescued the Rescuer
I have always been the rescuer of animals. It started with the feral kittens at a barn in the town I lived in. My mom, when asked if I could bring a kitten home, would always say no until the day I brought one of the kittens home from the barn and I learned that if I didn’t ask and just came home with the cute bundle of fur, she would acquiesce. I hated to see hurting, picked on animals and people. I related to them so much as I had dealt with bullying and sexual abuse at young ages. I knew that if I were these animals, in these situations, I would want to be rescued too. In fact, I did want to be rescued and the animals were always such a balm to my broken soul.
By Niki Curtis5 years ago in Petlife
Team Coco: A Dog Worth the Wait
I waited for him. I adopted “Coco” when I was living in South Bend, Indiana back in 2017. I had just got my first full-time job, but I did not know anyone in the city. Growing up, my family always had dogs and dogs have always given me a sense of purpose. Being alone, with no friends or family, I was depressed. Somehow, I knew the cure; even if a dog could not solve all my problems, he would help.
By Hope Sears5 years ago in Petlife
My Best Friend
I attended the University of Toledo (go Rockets!) in Ohio. Though I graduated Cum Laude, my proudest academic achievement was that I had the worst attendance rate of any student on campus. If I didn’t have a reason to miss class, I would invent one. Not that I’m suggesting that as a course of action for everyone, but I was a decent student who found most classes snooze worthy. Sadly, my absences rarely involved girls on campus. I was a senior, wrapping up my history degree. This is the story of a day I had a good reason to miss class.
By Ted Lacksonen5 years ago in Petlife
The Miracles In Our Lives
Let me start by saying...I had dogs my entire life, and I never liked cats! As a matter of fact I hated cats! I hated them for the same reason all cat lovers love them. They are sketchy, crazy, arrogant and stubborn. They walk around like they own the damn joint, and god help anyone who tries to pet them when they don't want you too, you could lose a hand! They treat their owners like staff and are always knocking things off of everywhere...and on purpose no less! Getting into things and places they shouldn't! What's to love about them!
By C. M. Sears5 years ago in Petlife
Started From the Bottom, Now It’s Memory Foam Mattresses and Nighttime Cuddles
This is Mason. He is an American Pit Bull Terrier, and my best friend. When Mason was six months old he was found wandering the streets alone with a ruptured cruciate ligament. He was taken to the shelter, in need of extensive medical treatment. Sadly, many shelters are so overwhelmed with unadopted Pit Bulls that they aren’t able to keep ones that show up with serious and expensive injuries. Thankfully, the Treasure Coast Humane Society was not one of those places. They chose to save his life without thinking twice about the cost.
By Kristen Nazzaro5 years ago in Petlife
Riding Shotgun
Yesterday I was crossing Prune Alley, waiting for a break in the tourist traffic. A small, beat-up Datsun pick-up passed me – the very make and model of the truck I used to drive – and I saw a man driving with his dog riding shotgun. Remembering Harley, my Dog-of-Ten-Lifetimes, who used to ride shotgun with me in my beater, I felt a pang of sweet memory laced with grief pass through my very core.
By Kennedy Farr5 years ago in Petlife
Malcolm Jefferson Jordan Clark
Malcolm Jefferson Jordan Clark Bubby Hi bud this is how you came to be in our care for three to four years. My ex, your dad Dylan’s father worked at an animal shelter doing surgeries twice a week. We knew we wanted a dog the second we bought a house, we got you. Okay this happened September 22nd 2016. We go to the shelter in Lewiston. We went there looking for a Shepard mix but also really loved your brother as well. When we went there, he was sick but they said his brother Simon was available to visit. Of course we agreed. You came running out, We had a toy for you. I saw your scars. I knew you were mine just then. I looked at Dylan, who was in awe of you as well. You captured our hearts in seconds. You goofball. Changed your name in seconds to Malcolm. The guy working said we could not take you home today because you had actually not been spayed or neutered yet, and there was not a vet on site. Which online is said you had. Just a quick FYI. Dylan’s father was with us, remember I said he did surgeries there. He jumped right up and said “I’ll do it!!” The tech looked at him and said his name and said all the techs are on lunch. He jumped up and hopped over the gate we were in with you. Came back with a leash not even five minutes later. Said lets go. HAHA. Thank you for that. Always. The surgery took less than 10 minutes. He came out and said you can come get him in two hours due to medications for sedation. For your surgery. We went back to the house and waited, not patiently might I add. Dylan helped his father with stuff while I sat and waited and paced. We had everything in our trunk for you to take you home. We had ducky. The first toy we brought to the shelter. You had him for about a year, before your chewing stage started. We picked you up, filled out all kinds of paperwork and you were still groggy. I laid in the back seat with you as you were coming to, out of sedation. You just laid with me. When we go home you peed outside. Right away. We trained you to be my service animal. We set alarms in the night, took turns taking you outside. Until you were able to just be out in the lawn, while we waited on the steps. We both admit in the winter, we always didn’t clean up your shit. We’re sorry for that. You chewed our bed frame, my favorite heels, you chewed dad's headphones for work. Bubby, you had a chewing naughty period. I give you all my praise though. When dad and I broke up, you took the change well. Spoiled as hell, but well. Then you were all mine. Your dad’s schedule and I didn't work well together co-parenting you. Mostly due to my medical needs with you. I needed you for; balance, noise, pressure work, emotional support, fatigue or heart alerts. You were so well trained. I can’t believe how well we did with you. You were at my side. My health took a turn severely physically and mentally. Family decided it was best to give up on you for my health. I still don't agree with it. I have you everywhere I look in my apartment. I have all your collars, and pictures. Memories. When you left that day my heart broke, and is still broken. I failed you. I’m so sorry. The anguish I feel will always be there. No other dog could take the place of how beautiful your soul was. You were my best friend, partner in crime. Fun; lazy, goofy, silly, wild puppers. I would never replace you in my heart for another animal. I couldn’t. I’m leaving soon. Terminally ill, and leaving. Please visit me in the next room or life, baby loves. Please
By Erica Jordan5 years ago in Petlife
