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YOU AND YOUR PET Adoption-- A dog's perspective... and a plea Concerned by the number of `returnees' for minor reasons, Upper Credit Humane Society volunteer Judith-Anne Kolu has written her monthly column, from the perspective of dog, waiting for adoption. A joyful day, I am outside in the fresh air which has a "whiff of hope" in it... today could be the day that I find my new home. I do not want to talk about the past, hope lies in the future. Each day I set my sights on becoming a member of a family, a permanent member, a happy loved, wanted and joyful participant in my new family, snuggling in my new bed, waiting for loving pats and hugs, soft words spoken, pet names given, the thrill of all the new experiences I know I am going to be exposed to. My tail wags with anticipation, could these people approaching be looking at me? Wanting me? Looking for love from me? They pass by, they hesitate, they pause, they walk on. I am passed over once more, my tail stops wagging, I walk away, momentarily feeling rejected and unwanted, but I will bounce back and have hope... tomorrow is another day. Please do not think I am not grateful that I am at the Shelter. I must say that I am well taken care of they love me and feed me, walk me and play with me, and the other guys and girls in residence are, for the most part, pretty neat, but we all have to vie for attention. Nothing is permanent... we are in limbo... all hoping that we can keep our spirits up and do not become depressed. So what do I have to say to you... you the prospective new "Human" in my life? I would rather have you walk on past me even though it hurts me than to pick me and then not give me the time to become used to you, your family, your life, and to learn what is expected from me, which will make our life together serene and happy. Too often lately, my friends have "gone home" only to be returned days or weeks later. Please remember as you see our cute little faces, and pat our soft fur, that we have tender hearts, sometimes because of our backgrounds and lack of love and training, we make MISTAKES, and instead of giving us a chance, we are brought back to start all over again. This confuses us further and we become more hyper, or withdrawn or anxious and our true personalities are less likely to be shown for even longer periods of time. It also might take longer for us to settle into yet another home because we are frightened of making the same mistakes... we are learning that even when we trust things don't always work out. Training... see my ears prick up at the word... I assure you that all of us will do well in training, which is money well spent in more ways than one. The #1 benefit is WE BOND. We (you and I) all understand what is expected of us and we learn together. Training is like learning a language we both understand-- it stimulates our brains. We gain confidence in ourselves and in you too. We love the praise that follows the sessions and practices and the treats! We know our shelter staff give a lot of advice to prospective owners on how to settle us into their family, but if you do not take this advice for whatever reason, it can lead to complications and who gets blamed ... US. Our staff, with the help and input of the volunteers who look after us, keep a log of our daily life, which is then passed on to new owners. That said, our life in the shelter is not a "normal" life. Imagine putting humans into this type of environment, personality traits and aspirations have to be put on hold so that we all get along with each other. I feel another major problem is the `spur of the moment" decisions-- the child wants a pet and who I ask is going to be responsible for me... not a child... the parents, who may or may not want an animal. Before reaching the decision to have us as part of your family please make sure EVERYONE wants to own a pet. A pet should be wanted for itself not to assuage feelings of human loneliness, or other emotional reasons. Animals have their own needs; they have feelings, are warm blooded, loving entities who feel the pain of upheaval and loss of family and who also suffer long term emotional scars from neglect and physical trauma. Once again remember that just like people, who have many different personalities, needs and wants, we canines are not all the same. Some of us are athletic, more sensitive; suffer from separation anxiety, some are so independent, others more needy, some prefer to loll around, some worship major athletics like flyball, some love long walks, others short walks, some love hunting, some just "hunt" for cookies, but all want more than anything to love and be loved, to form that bond when they become "a person" to that special family. I hope you have found this helpful, I am "talking" from my heart and all the things I say about canines can be applied to... growl...(in a playful way of course) to the felines who are living here. I will be looking for you to come and see me when it is the right time for your family to adopt one of us. I will keep my name secret as we are all worthy of you. Just remember don't just choose on looks, but see if our breed traits are a match for your family, and our staff can tell you so much to help with your choice of a "forever" canine or feline. Wistfully "wuffed"... a dog looking for a home!