Readers Respond: Adoption and Rescue - tips for a successful pet adoption

The decision to add a new pet to the family is one that should not be taken lightly. Stories of animals being returned to the shelter, for whatever reason, are heartbreaking.

The inspiring story of Kelsey the Twice-Adopted dog offers good advice about making a potentially difficult adoption work. Patience, commitment and training are keys for success.

Do you have pet adoption tips or stories to share that will help others make informed, committed decisions? Knowledge is power, and while Kelsey was fortunate to have a second chance, many animals do not. Please share your adoption success stories here. Share your success story

A Rewarding Arrangement

I now have 2 adopted dogs. Since I really love German Shepherds and have always had them, I adopted my first dog, Emmie, from a GSD adoption. This adoption is arranged locally with shelters and volunteers from the South. How rewarding it is to see a very scared and under socialized dog turn into a happy member of your family. My second adoption is because I volunteer at a local MSPCA. This is my "happy place". It is so much fun and you feel you are making a difference in both people and animal's lives. I highly recommend it! I found Bandit, my little "mini border collie" who really is a papillion mix there. He has brought such fun and laughs into our lives and taught my serious minded Shepherd how to play and have fun. As the article mentions, you really need to think this commitment out but if you are up for the task it brings many benefits. If you can't adopt, try volunteering. You can get your "fix" with the animals and feel like you are doing something positive!

—Guest Cheryl

Belle

We adopted Belle 14 years ago, from the local humane society. She was skinny, itchy, hand shy, and had ear infections, but she was gorgeous and I fell for her immediately. The first vet I took her to when I adopted her, said she would always be a sickly problem dog with her ears and skin issues and felt that she should have been euthanized rather than adopted out. We got a new vet who treated her skin allergies and ear infections and we taught her that hands were for petting, not hitting. She gained weight, started sleeping on the furniture and became one of the family fairly quickly. She is now 15 and has been a happy healthy dog for all these years. Sure, she has had ear and skin issues from time to time, but with good care and good food, these are minor and we are so happy that she is part of our family.

—genglo

Klik - Still Tiny After All These Years

We already had several cats, more than one were strays found on the street, when this tiny red kitten was found abandoned at a local convenience store. Mom resisted adding yet another cat to the family but we couldn't just leave him there and it was too late to take him to a shelter. Super tiny and malnourished we didn't think he'd make it but we took him home and nursed him back to health. When we took 3 of our other cats in to be neutered we took Klik too. Found out he was a SHE at that point. Despite her tiny size -- she's still really small 3 years later -- Klik holds her own with all our other cats and the dogs and is a sweet and friendly little gal.

—Guest Lilly J.

The Quietest of the Bunch

When I was very young, our family cat died of an infectious illness, and we had to wait quite a long time before we could get another cat. The quarantine time was over just around Christmas, so my brother went to the pound to get me a new kitten. There were only two kittens left on Christmas Eve, one who was really friendly and playful, and another who seemed scared and hung out in the back of the cage. My brother chose the shy one, feeling that the other was more likely to get a home with another family. That cat was my true friend and companion throughout my childhood and teen years. Although she wasn't outgoing, she was very loving and playful in her own shy way. The funny thing is, I had cut a picture out of a magazine of the cat I wanted, and the one my brother chose, without ever seeing the picture, looked exactly like it.

—Guest Sandra

Teddy

I adopted my Labrador retriever Teddy two years ago when he was seven. I had seen him on TV on a pet adoption segment, and I was sure somebody would adopt him right away, but a week later his picture was still on the shelter's Web site, so I called, and he still needed a home, but the person I spoke with tried to switch me to a younger dog! I couldn't believe it. I went to the shelter and adopted Teddy anyway. He has been the best dog. He had been living outside in 110-degree heat and hadn't been house trained, but once we arrived home, he learned right away and has never had an "accident." He also had a sunburned nose from being left outside all the time. Now he's a happy camper--so mellow and content. He follows me around the house and loves to chase his ball in the back yard and take walks in the morning before it gets too hot. When I'm typing on the computer, he lets me know that he needs some attention by nudging my elbow with his nose. What a sweetie!

—Guest Eva

Girlie's New Home

We "rescued" our Lhasa Apso, Girlie, from a breeder where she was not fitting in well. Being easily intimidated by the other dogs, she didn't eat as well. She was not a "great mom" according to her owner. She was very skittish, but she was obviously intelligent. Once we got her home, it took several months for her to begin to trust us. She was very skittish. She had no idea what treats were. She paced a lot. She tinkled in the kitchen floor at least once a day. She wouldn't let us pet her. Six months later, she still hasn't turned into a lap dog, but now she dances on her hind leg for treats, is very vocal when she needs to go out and has learned to play! She enjoys walks and we can even allow her outside off the leash once in awhile to play in our large yard. It took a lot of love and a lot of work, but our Girlie definitely has come a long way!

—Guest Connie G.

No Trouble - Prayers Answered!

After 14 years, we lost our beloved pet. Each night at grace my daughter would pray for the dog we lost and the new dog she hoped we would find. I contacted rescue organizations in hopes of finding a pet who would fit well with our family's 3 young children. When the call came in, my daughter located a photo of the dog online. For her it was love at first sight. When we arrived to meet her we were introduced to a temperamental dog named Trouble! She earned her name as she had health and behavior issues which had wreaked havoc in her first home to the point of eviction. As a busy mom, I knew I already had 3 kids named "trouble". I didn't need any more "trouble". But we brought her home! We changed her name to Daisy and began researching the cause of her angst. We soon realized she was allergic to grains. Switching to a grain-free diet & lots of TLC -and she became a new dog! She is absolutely the BEST dog we've ever known - no trouble - an answer to my daughters prayers!

—kate_k9cuisine

Two great dogs!

We have two fantastic dogs that came from shelters. I've always loved beagles, and they are often dumped at shelters in our area when they no longer hunt or can no longer breed - very sad. We found a beagle on Petfinder at our local shelter and went to visit her. She was so spunky and seemed to have a great time with the other dogs. As soon as we came in to see her, she rolled over on her back for a belly rub. We were sold! She's the greatest dog and just another reason to adopt an older dog from a shelter.

—Guest Anne W.

In Praise of Older Cats

Once I got my husband to agree to a cat, we put out the word we wanted an adult cat already housebroken. Our first cat was about 7 years old. She didn't get along with the new baby in her current family. But she fit perfectly with us, a childless couple, and was endlessly loving and spoiled by us. After she passed, we waited a couple of years and my hairdresser decided I needed to adopt her mama cat. Their household had 5 kids and 2 dobermans and other assorted pets, while the mama cat seemed to crave peace and quiet. Her tail was bent from an encounter with one of the dogs. I took her home and she immediately became queen of the house. She treats us like her kittens. Like our first cat, she has thrived being the sole cat in a quiet, childless house.

—Guest WB

He picked me

We had been thinking about getting a pet for months. Visited the humane society multiple times. Alas, none of them picked us. Til one lucky day. I walked into the cat room, saw a fluffy brown kitty. Went over to his cage. He looked up me, rubbed against the cage door, and told me he was the one. He was 8 years old. Set in his ways for sure. He slept on my feet the first night at home. Every time I moved, he'd come up to my pillow to get patted. Six years later, I am thankful I was picked by such a loving cat. Sonny came home to us when my son was a toddler. He loved to chase him and pat him. Now he patted him kinda rough, but Sonny never snarled or raised a paw to him. Sonny now goes to bed with my son every night. Falls asleep on the pillow right next to him.

—Guest Joy

Patience, The One-Eyed Bunny

In our quest for a bunny, we went to a shelter, and found dozens of sweet ones to choose from. Then we saw Patience, a small, white bunny with one cartoonishly huge and sweet eye--and one closed lid. (We were told it was probably a birth defect.) My kids, small at that time, were a little creeped-out by the one-eyed rabbit, and choose a cool, black one. I let them pick (it was their pet!), but was haunted by the sweet nature of Patience, named for his temperament and ability to withstand the sometimes painful eye-cleanings he had to endure on his 'bad' side, and worried that other families wouldn't be able to get past his 'defect', either. Finally, a week later, I went back and got him. "Shadow", our black bunny, ended up keeping his eye clean for us (!), and it was never a problem. We all grew to love Patience SO much. He was our sweetest bunny, and a lesson in love for our kids. Now they seek out the under-dogs and give them extra love.

—Guest Elizabeth

Russo, a real success story!

I looked online for shelter dogs, and when I called, they reassured me he was medium size. Not true -- he was a lot bigger than we wanted but he had a sweet face and we felt so sorry for him. He and his brother had been brought to the shelter when they was 5 weeks old. When they got to be 10 months old, his brother was adopted. He was so sad he dug his way out of the new kennel and dug back into the old one. He wasn't housebroken, he was freaked out by stairs, cars, strangers -- you name it. But he's turned out to be a WONDERFUL dog. He was housebroken in two days. He chewed a pair of my slippers, got scolded, and never touched a slipper or shoe again. He learned to sit in one lesson. He's still shy with strangers, but he's non-aggressive and he's slowly getting better. I can't believe we got so lucky -- who would believe that such after such a deprived puppyhood, he could turn into such a wonderful dog? Moral: look at the dog, not the "purebred papers."

—Guest Susan

penny the poodle

I went to "the little shelter" in Huntington, NY, because my husband wanted to volunteer. While on the tour, a toy Poodle was loose in the small dog room. She repeatedly came up to me, licked my fingers, retreated back to her bed, and staring at me. I "heard" her clearly in my mind, "take me out of here" even though we had another dog at home, we took Penny. She was 10 years old and going blind. Turns out she's the BEST dog we EVER had. She's smart, sweet, intuitive, and a snuggler. Everyone who meets her falls in love. All of our dogs have been shelter dogs, but all were young. She's the first old dog we adopted, and it was a wonderful decision. She is past all the young dog problems, and seems truly grateful to be home with us. Se know her time with us may be a short time, but so far it's 1.5 yrs and counting, and we cherish every minute. She's truly a blessing. My husband volunteers there now in thanksgiving for helping us have such a wonderful dog.

—stillakidrn

Luther

I'm a shelter vet in a no-kill shelter in New Jersey. Luther was a 16 year old black cat left at our doorstop with minimal records. We diagnosed him with hyperthyroidism. A geriatric black cat with health problems doesn't have the greatest outlook, but i contacted a group in NYC that was hosting a seniors for seniors event, and Luther was adopted by a wonderful woman who cared for him, hosted a birthday party for him, and gave him a loving home. He was euthanized about 10 months after his adoption, giving him a wonderful last year of life. It's sad he's gone now, but I think his finding a loving home for his end rather than meeting it in a shelter is one of the greatest gifts we can provide. Reaching out to other groups, working together, and not giving up on difficult cases make happy endings like this possible.

—Guest Adam