My brother just recently adopted a pit bull puppy named Lex from a local rescue group, and has been teaching his twin boys how to train the little gal on where to do her business, listen to commands, and keep from tearing up the house. The boys love playing with her, while Dad loves to have her sleeping at his feet while he’s watching a movie. He’d decided to adopt because he just didn’t have the budget to buy, and he didn’t want to deal with breeders who sometimes can be abusive toward their animals. Lex has quickly become part of their family, and she has flourished in a loving home.
I also have a friend named Jordan who recently adopted a mixed-breed kitten with her husband through a shelter fair at a local pet store. They named her Freya and she’s bonded with their other cat Phantom very quickly. It didn’t take Freya too long to jump on my lap when I went to visit, that’s for sure!
What’s been great about these adoption success stories is that they both ended in happy pets for people on a budget being able to not only adopt but also take care of them, while saving them from possibly being euthanized. So many animals are put down every year due to overpopulation and lack of proper care, so if you have the budget and time and heart, why not adopt an animal?
New Energy in Your Home
Adopting a pet means that there will be another kind of energy in your home, and that’s an exciting thing. For people who live alone, having that pal around is comforting and brings another kind of personality into the house. For families, a new adopted pet can mean a playmate for the kids, something they can love and help take care of. I know I have fond memories of growing up with dogs – my first dog was a very big, very sweet St. Bernard named Brady, and later I had pug siblings named Joey and Rascal that I loved dearly. Having those warm childhood memories is important to me now as an adult.
A Teaching Opportunity for Kids
What’s great about adopting a new animal with your kids is that they can feel a sense of ownership in the process. Taking them to the pound, looking at the animals that are up for adoption, and learning about different breeds are all part of the experience for kids. They love to name their new buddy, and it’s a perfect opportunity to teach them about responsibility: making a feeding schedule, marking a calendar for vet visits, scheduling changing cat litter, and marking times to take doggies on walks are all part of teaching your kids about taking care of their new furry friends.
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