By Deborah Hilcove
Looking for that new “leash on life?” How about a “fur-ever” friend? Perhaps it’s time to reconsider “puppy love.”
As popular as Paul Anka’s and Donny Osmond’s soulful versions of “Puppy Love” were—and the millions of swooning teenage girls—the affection showered on rescue dogs is even greater.
Consider the overwhelming response—more than 2 million shares on YouTube—of Budweiser’s 2014 Super Bowl commercial, “Puppy Love,” between a Labrador retriever puppy and the Clydesdale that adopted him.
Yup. Dogs are definitely cool. More than 44 percent of American households have at least one dog, totaling 77.8 million of the furry critters.
Of these, 37 percent have been adopted from a shelter or rescue, another 34percent from a breeder, and the remainder taken in as a stray or from friends or relatives.
A quick search for “Rescue Dogs” yields many possibilities, ranging from “Akita” to “Yorkie,” which can leave a potential adoptive puppy-parent confused. However, about 15 years ago, Phoenix author and animal advocate Bari Mears recognized the need to unite rescue organizations throughout Arizona with the goal of saving animals.
She founded the Phoenix Animal Care Coalition (PACC911) that partners with more than 125 organizations following a prescribed code of ethics.
While many pet stores offer adoptions—and some make real efforts to improve the living conditions for the dogs they sell—it is an adoption source where you need to be very careful. Often simply handing over a credit card buys a pet, but profit is the prime concern and not necessarily in the best interests of the dog or the adoptive family.
Many of these dogs come from commercial kennels, brokers and backyard breeders. There may be socialization problems, as well as health issues, since many are the result of poor breeding practices.
Adopting a rescue dog means adding another member to the family and requires some thought. Many organizations require an interview, questioning the dog’s care and reminding the prospective adoptive parent of the cost, time and space commitments. Most importantly, they’ll ask why you want to add a dog to your family. Says AZ Beagle Rescue: “If you save one dog, you won’t change the world, but surely the world will change for that dog.”
Of course, there are benefits to becoming a dog owner, the guardian and caretaker of another living being. Some of these might be medical reasons. Guide dogs lead the blind and hearing dogs help the deaf or hearing impaired. There are service dogs trained to assist the wheelchair-bound, as well as those responsive to seizures or mental health issues, such as PTSD, panic disorder or depression. A scent-trained dog can help monitor a diabetic’s blood sugar.
Tempe resident Miriam Miller relies on her therapy dog, a golden retriever named Abby, to alert her if her blood pressure falls.
“I had several medical incidents before I got her. She’ll paw me, gently, to let me know something’s wrong. If I ignore her, she’ll nudge me with her head, even nudge me over to a chair. If I don’t listen to her warning, she’ll give a low whine, even a short bark. She’s persistent. I’ve had to learn to pay attention to her, because she’s well-trained and knows her job.”
Other health benefits are noted in Pediatrics Journal, pointing out that children who live in a home with a pet are more likely to be healthier and better socialized than those without pets. Dr. Danielle Fisher of St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., notes that exposure to pets in early life can stimulate the immune system, leading to 31percent fewer respiratory tract infections, 44percent fewer ear infections and therefore fewer antibiotics.
And Jessica Gross writes in The Huffington Post that dog ownership has been proven a mood-booster, leading to increased self-esteem, less loneliness and more exercise. PetSmart and the online dating site, Match.com, partnered in a study released by Men’s Fitness magazine, and discovered that men and women are more likely to be attracted to someone who owns a pet.
So this Valentine’s Day, remember the flowers and chocolate—but take a hint from man’s best friend: lace up your sneakers and grab a leash.
