First shelter visit
Friday, March 23rd, 2007My family and/or I have had at least one dog at a time over the last eighteen years, but we’ve never had to pick one out. They have all come to us. My dog now, Soprano, was a stray that we found, as was our dog before him, Poncho. Mark and I started thinking that maybe Soprano needs a companion, a playmate. We are not ones to buy dogs from breeders or pet stores so we decided to visit the Animal Welfare League of Chicago Ridge. This was my first visit to a shelter with the purpose of adopting a dog. I figured I’d be sad and have thoughts of adopting every single animal there. All of that proved to be true and Mark was not at all surprised to find me crying just minutes after we entered the viewing area. It consists of rows upon rows of cages, one and sometimes two dogs occupying each one. The tears just started rolling down my face as soon as we walked in. I had no control over it. The dogs could hear the door to the viewing area open each time someone new entered. Almost as if they had rehearsed, the opening of the door caused every single one of them to stand up, walk to the front of their cages, and cry and whine in the most pathetic way. Then they’d just sit there and watch as we walked by, staring with their pleading eyes, and I could almost hear them saying, “Pick me, pick me!” There were all kinds of dogs, from purebred Black Labs to shepherd/rottie mixes, of all ages. Mark and I decided we would prefer an older dog, as we do not have the time right now to devote to a puppy. Plus, older dogs have a much smaller chance of ever being adopted. Everyone wants a cute little puppy! We met a couple of special canines that we could see fitting in well with our family. We’re going back tomorrow so Soprano can meet them; he will have the final say.
Posted by Francesca
