Love at first sight

It's 7 a.m. and I'm waking up, not to the buzzing of an alarm, but to the smiley face of my new K-9.  And you know what?  I couldn't be happier!

Dee Dee is a French bulldog mix, a rescued dog, and the newest addition to my family.  Rescued dogs are dogs that have been surrendered or given up because their owners are unable to care for them.  They may have behavior issues or health issues, and sometimes their owners cannot afford to take care of them anymore.   

"Life is better than death, and these dogs deserve life and happy homes," said Carol Schmitz, a dog breeder who also works with rescued dogs and organizations.  Thanks to Schmitz, Dee Dee has a new home with me in Hamden, Conn.

After finding a picture of Dee Dee on www.nextdaypets.com, I rescued her from Outside Inn Ranch in Minnesota.  As an owner of two boxers, both of whom would have been put down if my family had not bought them, I thought it would be best to rescue another dog as opposed to buying one from a pet store.  I sat down and explored a variety of breeds to determine the right dog for me.  Of course I tend to be more fond of Dobermans, Boxers and Rottweilers, but reasons (in other words, mom), prevailed when she made me realize that these dogs are not well-suited for apartment life.

I recalled that I live in a college apartment, not on an acre of farmland. 

So I was on the lookout for the next best thing: a French bulldog. They look just like boxers and only weigh about 25 pounds at maturity – perfect for a one bedroom apartment.

As I looked at the plethora of rescue Web sites, time and time again I was discouraged by the 21-year-old age requirement for rescuing a dog. I won't be 21 until this coming May and wanted to have the dog throughout this semester.  Fortunately, Dee Dee's foster parents were more than happy to oblige to my request.

"I gauge people by their e-mail responses and also try to look them up online, as I did with you," Schmitz said. "I could be wrong and so I always tell the new owner that they can return the puppy to me if it doesn't work out. This generally makes people more comfortable with the process."

With the economy changing so quickly, Schmitz said she has seen a rise in prospective rescue adoptions as opposed to traditional sales. Rescue dogs, like Dee Dee, who were originally designated for breeding or were already bred, are generally sold for approximately $300 plus shipping, unless they can be picked up directly. While $300 may seem like a lot of money, the sum merely covers the veterinary bills for the dog's check up prior to shipment and adoption. As a dog owner, particularly of a breed with many health problems, I know that vet visits generally run upwards of $400, so I was well prepared for this fee.

"If you can't afford the $300 vet bill fee for adoption, how can you afford yearly vet bills," Schmitz said. "I feel this fee not only helps me rescue more dogs, but also helps prepare people for the full responsibility of owning a pet."
   

There are ways to mitigate this cost; one way is pet insurance. VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance), a company that insures pets for their annual visits, even covers cancer treatment in the event that your pet needs it. Generally this costs about $24 per month depending on your plan, and is lowered if you have more than one pet. So if your parents already have a pet and you are thinking of adopting, it might be a good way to get them to approve your purchase!   

With a new pet comes a lot of responsibility  Not only do you need to buy toys and treats, but you also need to puppy proof your apartment.  After all, who wants a pair of high heels covered in bite marks?

Rescue dogs, in particular, offer an additional challenge.  Many dogs, like Dee Dee, were once kept in an area with other dogs, so becoming the only dog in your home may be an adjustment. Also, Dee Dee needed to learn how to walk on a leash and didn't seem to have a clue of what snow was!

With owning a pet, each and every day brings new surprises and a little frustration.  But most importantly, with a dog comes a great deal of love to give and receive.   All dogs want to love and be loved, and rescue dogs are no different.  If anything, rescue dogs are more loving and thankful for the good deed you have done: providing them with a safe home.
 

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