Dog Adoption Checklist

Congratulations on deciding to adopt a dog! You are embarking on a wonderful and rewarding relationship. Because adopting a new dog comes with a lot of change for both dog and dog parent, we’ve compiled a checklist to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Questions for All Adopters:

* Do you have any other dogs and how will they react to a new dog?

* Is your current residence suited to the dog you’re considering?

* How will your social life or work obligations affect your ability to care for a dog?

* Do you have a plan for your new dog during vacations and/or work travel?

* How do the people you live with feel about having a dog in the house?

* Are you (or your spouse, partner or roommate) intolerant of hair, dirt and other realities of sharing your home with a dog, such as allergies?

* Do you or any of your household/family members have health issues that may be affected by a dog?

* What breed of dog is the best fit with your current lifestyle? (You can find information on specific breeds in Petfinder's dog breed directory.)

* Is there tension in the home? Dogs quickly pick up on stress in the home, and it can exacerbate their health and behavior problems.

* Is there an adult in the family who has agreed to be ultimately responsible for the dog’s care?

Other Considerations:

* What do you expect your dog to contribute to your life? For example, do you want a running and hiking buddy, or is your idea of exercise watching it on TV?

* If you are thinking of adopting a young dog, do you have the time and patience to work with the dog through its adolescence, taking house-breaking, chewing and energy-level into account? (Find more information on raising young dogs in Petfinder's Puppy Guide.)

* Have you considered your lifestyle carefully and determined whether a younger or older dog would be a better match for you?

* Can you train and handle a dog with behavior issues or are you looking for an easy-going friend?

* Do you need a dog who will be reliable with children or one you can take with you when you travel?

* Do you want a dog who follows you all around the house or would you prefer a less clingy, more independent character?

Size Considerations:

* What size dog can your home accommodate?

* Will you have enough room if your dog grows to be bigger than expected?

* What size dog would suit the other people who live in or visit your home regularly?

* Do you have another dog to consider when choosing the size of your next dog?

* How big a dog can you travel comfortably with?

Dog Costs:

* More likely than not, the adopting agency will charge a fee to help defray the cost of taking in unwanted or lost animals. The adoption fee you pay will be a tiny fraction of the money you will spend over the life of your dog.

* You may need to pay for your adopted dog to be spayed or neutered before bringing him or her home.

* Some expenses are mandatory for all dogs, including:
~ Food
~ Routine veterinary care
~ Licensing according to local regulations
~ Collars, leashes and identification tags
~ Basic grooming equipment and supplies.

Other expenditures may not be required but are highly recommended:
~ Permanent identification, such as a microchip or tattoo
~ Training classes
~ Additional grooming supplies or professional grooming (depending on your new dog’s needs)
~ A spare collar or leash
~ A bed and toys
~ A crate or carrier

* Unexpected costs: Accidents and illness can result in costly emergency veterinary care. 
Recovery tools for finding a missing dog can include posters and rewards.

* A dog with special physical or behavioral challenges may require specialized professional support to overcome any obstacles these issues present.

* For more on typical dog care costs visit Annual Dog Care Costs.

Time Considerations:

* Dogs need to be fed two to three times a day, more often in the case of puppies, and need a constant supply of fresh water.

* A responsible dog parent should spend at least one hour per day giving direct attention to his or her dog. This may include training, exercising, grooming, and playing or, with cats, may just be lap time on the couch. Dogs will need to be taken out to potty several times a day.

* A dog with an abundance of energy needs more time to exercise and interactive toys to keep them entertained.

* Dogs with long coats need 20 minutes a day of grooming to prevent matting.

* Dogs with certain medical conditions may need additional attention, including specifically timed injections in the case of diabetic animals.

* Remember that adopted dogs may need additional bonding and reassurance time in the early weeks.

Shopping Checklist:

It may be a good idea to wait until you select your new dog before you begin shopping for supplies. For example, some items, such as food and water bowls or collars and harnesses, depend upon the size of the dog you will be adopting.

Also, be sure to find out which food your dog was eating in the shelter or foster home so that you can provide the same in the beginning, again to ease the transition. Many times the rescue or foster will give you enough of the current food to help you with the transition to the new food.  As your dog is settling in,  you can begin the transition to the food of your choice. We recommend Life's Abundance All Life Stage Adult Dog Food, or Puppy Food.  

Once you’ve selected your dog, here’s a checklist of supplies you may need:

* Necessary Items for Dogs:
* Food and water bowls
* Food (canned and/or dry)
* Collar
* Six-foot or retractable leash
* ID tag with your phone number
* Hard plastic carrier or foldable metal crate
* Dog bed
* Doggy shampoo and conditioner
* Nail clippers
* Canine toothbrush, toothpaste, or doggy dental wipes
* Brush or comb (depends on your dog’s coat length and type)
* Super-absorbent paper towels
* Sponge and scrub brush
* Non-toxic cleanser
* Enzymatic odor neutralizer
* Plastic poop baggies (biodegradable ones are best) or pooper scooper
* Absorbent house-training pads
* Variety of toys (a ball, rope, chew toy and puzzle toy are good starts)
* Variety of treats (such as small cookies, larger rawhides, etc.)
* First-aid supplies
* Baby gate(s) or crate, if preferred

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet boutique (http://www.TheGiftedPet.com), and premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/TheGiftedPet), or email her at Raven@TheGiftedPet.com

The Loss of a Pet ~ Dealing With Grief

Part of the privilege of sharing our lives with pets (or fur kids) is the emotional bond we share with them. Even among these relationships, often there is one very special companion animal, whether a dog, cat, bird or even a reptile, who leaves an indelible mark on our lives.

When we are faced with the loss of any fur kid, much less a truly exceptional companion, we may be surprised to find ourselves suffering from agonizing grief. Some people worry over the intensity of their feeling, doubting their right to grieve so acutely. Rest assured, beloved furry, feathery or scaly companions ARE NOT ‘just animals’. This sentiment, shared by some who have chosen not to share their lives with pets, belittles your experience, so give it the credence it deserves … none.

Companion animals occupy special places in our hearts, and losing such a connection means that no one will ever fill that special place in quite the same way again.

Grieving the loss of a pet is normal, because the loss is real, and it hurts. Pets are family!  If you are in the midst of bereavement, we want you to know three important things:

1. Grief is a natural and normal reaction to the loss of a friend, including those with paws, tails, fur, feathers, beaks, scales, hooves, etc.

2. Grief affects everyone differently, so however you choose to grieve, it isn't "the wrong way".

3. A multitude of web and print resources address this issue and may help you cope during this difficult time.

The most vital thing is to open yourself to grace and give yourself permission to react to loss, whatever feels most natural to you. People have unique grief experiences, which is to say, the individual members of a family may have varying reaction to the loss of the same companion animal. Normal reactions to grief include deep sadness, feelings of hopelessness, crying, denial, numbness and anger.

The many stages of grief are well-established, however be aware that the progression is not necessarily linear ~ i.e., they can occur before, during and after the loss of the beloved. Sadness can last quite some time, even many months, but with proper attention to yourself, you will recover. While the pain may recede with time, these feelings are a legacy, a reminder of the importance of the role they played in your lives.

Losing a companion animal is devastating.  And yet, many pet parents don’t receive the kind of emotional support they might expect if they had lost a human family member.  Failing to show such a depth of compassion is common for those who have never shared a special bond with a companion animal.  These people might say to themselves, “What’s the big deal … it was just a pet.”  What they don’t understand is a very simple truth … losing a companion animal is losing a member of your family.

Anytime we suffer a dramatic loss, it is appropriate to grieve.  Your first priority should be to come to grips with the fact that it is perfectly acceptable to grieve the passing of your companion animal.  Accepting the magnitude of your loss can facilitate the process of grieving.  The more you fight to suppress your feelings, the worse your grief can become.  Hiding the heartache will do you no good.

Grief takes many forms, whether it’s denial, anger, bargaining, depression and ultimately, acceptance.  While many tout the different characterizations of grief as if they were absolute stages, these steps should be interpreted more as a continuum of emotion.  That is, some may not experience them and others may experience many simultaneously.

Some find the process of grief frustrating, as it is a process of reaction.  We may ask ourselves, “What can I do to feel better?”  Those who have experienced a recent loss should take some comfort in knowing that there are outlets for this impulse.  There are several organizations that allow you to contribute funds in the memory of your companion animal.  Many of these groups will publish an announcement of your gift along with a special message of tribute.  In this way, you can create a legacy for your companion animal.

Additionally, you should be certain to actively take care of yourself physically.  Because grief takes a toll on us physically, you should allow yourself extra time to sleep, be sure to exercise and eat well.

Don't be tempted to navigate your grief alone. If you feel like you don’t have the proper support to help process the loss of a companion animal, please seek out help from the following list of ‘pre-approved’ sources.  Don’t arbitrarily assign time limits to your grief.  The bottom line is ~ as with most emotional processes ~ it takes as long as it takes.  Above all, know that you are not alone in your experience.  Be sure to talk to other pet parents about your loss, but be sure to spend time sharing memories about the best times you spent with your companion animal, too.

If you’ve recently lost a constant and dear companion, we truly hope you’ll be able to deal effectively with your loss and find solace in the happy times you shared.  And, don't be afraid to reach out for help from the trusted sources listed below.  

Resources:

ASPCA Pet Loss Support Hotline
1-877-474-3310
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-loss

University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine CARE Pet Loss Support Hotline
1-877-394-2273

Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss Support Hotline
517-432-2696

Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline
607-253-3932

Tufts University Pet Loss Support Hotline
508-839-7966

Pet loss support website:
http://www.petloss.com

Argus Institute Colorado State University
http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/diagnostic-and-support/argus/Pages/default.aspx

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet boutique (http://www.TheGiftedPet.com), and premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/TheGiftedPet), or email her at Raven@TheGiftedPet.com