Weareprofessionallytrainedtohelpyouenjoypeaceofmindwhileyourdogenjoyshiswalks.Yes,evenwhilewestoptopickuphispoop.

cheerfuldogschroniclesAWorldofDogs:PickingaWinner–AdoptingfromaShelter

Issue23Certified.Force-free.Dog-centred

DogQuotesAdoptingadogfromasheltercanflustereventhemostlevel-headedperson.

Wego,determinedthattodayistheday.Alifetimepalforus,aplaymate

forthekids,ormaybeabrotherorsisterforSpot,waitingathome.But

oncewe’rethere,decisionparalysissetsin.Onallsidestherearedark,

pleadingeyes,tailswaggingfuriously,andtonguestryingtolickusthroughthe

meshofacage.Walkingpastthosekennels,theanticipationispalpable—andoftennoisy:Me!

Me!Pickme!Facedwithsomanyfour-leggedhopefuls,mostoptforthelove-at-first-sightmethodofchoosing:A

prettyface,coloursthatappeal,asizethatlooksaboutright,andourproverbialgooseiscooked.

Butaswithhumanrelationships,initialattractionalonemayturnouttobea

poorpredictoroflong-termhappiness.Successfulmatchesaremuchmorelikely

whenwould-beadopterscarefullyconsiderwhatisrightforthemandgolooking

forit.AstheGreekaphorismprescribes:KnowThyself.Anaviddistancerunner

lookingforarunningbuddy,forexample,mightwanttopickaBorderColliemix

overaBulldogmix.Barkingcanbeokayoradealbreaker,dependingonthe

person.Somepeopledon’tmindlonghairanddroolontheireggshell-coloured

couches;othersverymuchdo.

2

…pickingawinner

Dogsofalltypes,ages,sizes,andenergylevelsarelovable,

ofcourse.Andtheyalldeservelovinghomes.Goingtoa

shelterwithashoppinglist(…shorthair,medium-sized,

goodwithcats…)maystrikesomeastoobusinesslike.

Unromantic.Butfactoringinlifestyleandtemperament

compatibilitywhenlookingforacaninecompanion

drasticallyincreasesthechancesofahappy,life-long

relationship.Intheend,nobodywouldexpectevery

persontheycameacrosstobeasuitablepartner,either.

Oneperson’sidealisanother’srecipefordisaster.Besides,

preparednessisthebestdefenceagainsttheurgetotake

homeeverysingledogintheshelter.

Tips&Tools:PreventingDogLoss

• Do: Tag and microchip your dog. It’s

goodtohaveyourcontactnumberonthe

tag.

• Do: Keep your dog on leash outside.

Make sure your dog has a bullet-proof

recall.

• Don’t: Leave your dog alone in the

garden.

• Don’t:Tieyourdogoutsideashop.

IfYourDogisLost• Searchtheneighbourhood,onfootorina

car. Call andwhistle loudly. Ask friends,

neighbours,orfamilymembersforhelp.

• Call the SPCA, local animal shelters, and

pethospitals.

• Write a ‘LostDog’ flyerwithaphotoand

distributearoundtheneighbourhood,dog

parks,etc.

If you offer a reward, beware of scammers.

Owners of lost pets are frequently targeted.

Never pay a reward until you’re literally

handedyourdog.

cheerfuldogs.comYourgo-totrainerforenlighteneddoglovers

Website:cheerfuldogs.com

cheerfuldogswalking.comProfessionaldogwalkingyoucantrust

Website:cheerfuldogswalking.com

Tel:96303884

Email:cheerfuldogswalking@gmail.com

Savetheenvironment,accessoure-newslettersonourwebsites

FollowusSupportedby

cont.

WeadoptedCCOKiyofromtheSPCA,and

we’reallwinners!