Because of pet overpopulation and the plight of millions of homeless and unwanted dogs and cats in America, many of my books feature rescued or abandoned pets. You will notice that theme becoming more common in future books. I am a huge advocate of pet rescue and adoption, so naturally many of my characters feel the same way. Look for my own pets to assume starring roles in future projects. In the meantime I will feature a rescued pet here each month to raise awareness about Pet Adoption & Rescue. Here’s your chance to showcase your best friend to the world. Simply email me a jpg. pic of your pet (please keep files under 500kb) as an attachment to teresa@teresaslack.com along with a brief description about what he or she means to you.                            

We are their voice. Let us tell the world how much pet rescue has impacted our lives.

30 Reasons Why it’s Great to be a Dog

No one expects you to take a bath everyday. * Your friends never expect you to pay for lunch, inner or anything else for that matter. * When it’s raining, you can lie around the house all day and never worry about being fired. * It it itches, you can reach it. * And no matter what itches, no one is offended if you scratch it in public. * It doesn’t bother you if your favorite television show is a rerun. * You can wear a fur coat and no one thinks you’re insensitive. * April 15 means nothing to you. * People at drive-thru windows never charge you for treats. * Your friends don’t think less of you for passing gas. * A rawhide bone can entertain you for hours. * As an adult, it’s okay if you haven’t amounted to anything except being a dog. * The older you get, the more people respect you. * You can sleep late every day. * If you grow hair in weird places, no one notices. * You never get in trouble for putting your head in a stranger’s lap. * There’s no such thing as bad food. * You don’t have to worry about good table manners. * Someone else combs your hair. * People think you’re normal if you stick your head out the window to feel the wind in your hair. * “you’re always excited to see the same old people. * Having big feet is considered an asset. * If you gain weight, it’s someone else’s fault. * Everything smells good to you. * A garbage can is a fast food stop. * No one tells you to wipe your nose because it’s wet. * No matter where you live, you own the place. * Your mate never complains if you whine. * Puppy love can last forever.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like: When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. * Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. * Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. * Take naps. * Stretch before rising. * Run, romp, and play daily. * Thrive on attention and let people touch you. * Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. * On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. * On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. * When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. * Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. * Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough. * Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. * If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. * When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

By the way, if you are in the southern Ohio area and are looking to adopt a pet or volunteer your time and energy to a worthy cause, visit these websites. A Journey Home Animal Refuge and Over the Rainbow Pet Adoption Center. God bless you for all you do for his creatures. If you don’t live in southern Ohio, don’t despair. There are thousands of sites that will put you in contact with a rescue group in your area. Please consider shelter adoption before spending your hard earned dollars on a pedigree animal.

When my dog, Reiley, was killed on February 16th, 2004, it was like losing a member of the family. I thought I would never recover. Reiley was my companion, my best friend. I couldn’t even go into my office for days because he wasn’t laying under the desk keeping me company. The loneliness was a terrible thing to bear. It wasn’t long before I realized I needed a new friend in my life. Much like I found Reiley, I began my search on the Internet. Through a random search, I happened upon www.petfinder.com It was very simple. I typed in my zip code, breed options, size of dog, etc. to personalize my search.

Your search is of course, not limited to dogs. Any type of pet you may be in search of can be found there or on a similar site.
My heart broke at the stories of these abused, neglected, and forgotten animals. I decided that paying a breeder a lot of money for a particular breed was not for me when there are so many pets looking for homes. I inquired about several of the dogs I found on the site. All the foster parents and facility staff I talked to were honest about the needs of each dog. They do not want to place a dog in an unsuitable home. One of the dogs I asked about was sensitive to loud noises and would not do well in an active household. Another was frequently getting outside his fence and running through the neighborhood.

Besides searching the web, I also visited local animal shelters. It is tempting to bring every dog home. My husband was suffering as much as I was over our loss of Reiley, but he would have drawn the line had I done that. So we took our time to find the dog that best suited our home and lifestyle. After thinking and praying and researching, we decided on Angel.   

    
Angel is an affectionate Lab-mix, a lap dog in a fifty pound body.     She had been found wandering the streets of Wilmington, Ohio. The woman who took her in had two small children and two other dogs, whom Angel got along great with, but the household did not have the room for another dog. The woman kindly turned her over to the county shelter instead of turning her back out onto the streets. From there she was placed her in a foster home with seven other dogs. A social butterfly, Angel blended right in. When we brought her home though, she seemed lonely. Several months after we adopted her, I told my husband she needed a companion. My sister suggested a younger dog with a submissive nature, preferably a female. That way the new dog would accept Angel as the alpha dog.

The very next day while I was outside playing with the kids, a puppy entered our yard. She looked to be about three months old. She was skinny and hungry. She wore a collar and knew the ‘Sit’ command so I knew someone had lost a sweet little dog. I called the neighbors for a few days, but never found her owners. Angel had a new little sister.

                      
Even the vet can’t identify Molly’s breed. A little Border Collie, a little Setter, and definitely a little Terrier since she can escape any fence built by man. But she’s lovable, sweet- tempered, and she and Angel are the best of friends. Best of all, she was housebroken after only one accident on the carpet. Who could ask for a better addition to the family?

So I implore you, if you are in the market for a pet, do your research and make sure you have the time and energy to provide a home your new pet deserves. This does not include being forgotten in the backyard tethered to a short lead. Visit your local animal shelter or one of the many sites available on the Internet about adopting a pet. Just because you aren’t paying top dollar for a designer dog, doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck with a stupid, homely, neurotic, vicious dog who has no chance of becoming part of your family. There are thousands of loving, warm, friendly animals waiting at your local shelter to fill your life with joy. They need your love, and the love they give in return can not be measured by pedigrees.

 
Whatever you do, think long and hard before buying a dog from a pet store or a breeder in your local paper’s classifieds. You may be unknowingly buying a pet from a puppy mill. The only way to shut down such heartless operations is for prospective pet owners to stop buying from them.

Go to www.StopPuppyMills.org or www.PuppyBuyersGuide.com to find out more about how you can help stop the abuses of commercial dog breeding. After all, our best friends deserve better.

 

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