We've already told you that literally millions of pets are euthanized every year. If you have a pet, we stressed the importance of ensuring they are spayed or neutered to prevent the problem of pet overpopulation from growing. If, on the other hand, you're looking to add a new member to your family, you have the opportunity to make a difference for at least one of those millions of animals that needs a good home. The best way I can think of to convince you that pet adoption is the best way to go is to share my own experience.

Just over two years ago, Mr. Pinky Bean and I decided we were ready to expand our family. We knew we were far from ready for children, but figured a pet would give us some experience in caring for another living being. I had grown up with dogs in my family, while this was to be Mr. PB's foray into the world of pet ownership beyond owning some fish. We were always in agreement that a dog was our animal of choice, and also agreed that with our work schedules, a puppy would not be the right choice, since we could not easily accommodate full training. We also determined a small- to medium-sized dog would be best with some house-training. One mandatory requirement was that they be good with children and have an even temperament, since we knew it would one day be important. We also had a few breeds in mind that we had experience with and wouldn't mind, but were also keeping open minds, trusting we would know the right dog for us when we found it.

With those points in mind our search began. We used mostly online resources, such as local newspapers and online databases. Our list of 'criteria' wasn't extremely particular, but most of the dogs we found were either much larger than what we were looking for or not good with children. Then on one fall evening, I paid another visit to Petfinder.com, one of the resources we had been faithfully searching. When the database displayed the newest postings, my heart immediately jumped: there he was! A Yorkshire Terrier, one of Mr. PB's favorite breeds, a bit bigger than the standard Yorkie with one ear that stood straight up and the other bent (perpetually, as we would later learn). He was house-trained and desperately needing a good home. To say it was love at first sight may sound horribly cliché, but my heart was racing. I immediately called the shelter where he was and left a message, than thought I'd better send an email too, lest they check their computers before their phone messages. I heard back the next morning: yes, he was still available since he had just been listed and would we like to fill out an application? To make a long story short we did and a few days later, we received the call that we had been chosen as the new home for the dog. A few days later, we made the journey to bring home our new family member, Wilson.

The day we picked him up was almost more nerve-wracking than a blind date. Would he like us? Would we love him right away? What kind of traits would we discover he had? Anxiously clutching a bag of liver tidbits our local pet store guaranteed he would love, we waited for the shelter staff to retrieve him from the back. Other dogs yapped excitedly (a heart-breaking sound when you wish you could give them all a loving home). However as soon as they brought Wilson out from the back room, our fears become non-existent. In the flesh, we fell for his big brown eyes even faster than in his photo. Within mere minutes we had established that he in fact, did know how to sit.

Now two years later, we look back and can hardly remember what it was like before Wilson entered our lives. The days when we could ignore the alarm clock and fall back asleep without a dog waking up immediately and standing on our stomach, licking any exposed skin until we finally relent and crawl out of bed to take him for his morning walk. The days where we could leave a piece of cheese on the coffee table and come back and still find it there. The days where we weren't greeted after work with a wagging tail, toy in the mouth and ready for playtime. And I don't think we'd change one thing, even in the rougher times, such as the paw infection that ended up lasting months and required many trips to the vet. For all of those minor issues, there has been at least one moment, but often several, of every single day we've had Wilson that we smile or laugh at something he does. Like the time he chased and caught a wild rabbit on his leash during his morning walk (the rabbit escaped mostly unscathed). 

We may not know his exact breed (the vet guesses he's a a Yorkie-Silky Terrier), his age (five to six years is the estimate), his exact history (he was found wandering alone in a small town nearby, hungry and abandoned) or for that matter, why anyone would ever let him get away. What we do know is that he's fully house-trained, playful, but gentle enough that he's never bitten any dog or human in an aggressive way. He thrives on social interaction with other dogs and is willing to share his toys with them. He loves to sleep on my feet or the odd time, my head, and knows how to lie down, dance, roll-over and has just about mastered shaking a paw. And we know (quick break out a lighter!) that our lives are just a little better for loving him and being loved back unconditionally.

Some of the key lessons we learned in our adoption experience include:

Make a list - Keep an open mind but still develop a list of traits and qualities you are looking for. You want to ensure your find an animal that is compatible with other family members and your lifestyle. For example, if you have younger children, you may not want a typically aggressive breed. Determine what you are looking for in advance before searching online or visiting a shelter. As cute as a face may be, the last thing you want to do is spontaneously make a decision and then find that you've chosen an animal with characteristics that aren't the right fit.

Ask questions - A shelter or organization may not know every last detail about an animal, but they may be able to offer insight into some of the characteristics that have emerged, such as if the pet is aggressive toward other animals or people. Find out if there are any obvious health issues. Most shelters provide a health report after a vet check-up. Find out what the adoption fee includes (most spay/neuter the pets, but some also include all shots, a few months worth of insurance, etc) and prepare for any costs not covered.

Find a vet - You don't want to frantically be searching for a vet in an emergency so find one before you ever need one. If it makes you more comfortable to "meet-and-greet" your vet, take your new pet in for a check-up in the first couple of weeks so you can ask questions and determine if you're comfortable with them.

Use your resources - Ask the shelter for advice on how to help your new friend adjust as quickly as possible. Research the breed you are considering to find out general information, such as common health concerns or disposition. Read some books on owning that particular pet to find out how to "communicate" with them (ie. Punish them if they misbehave, praise them if they do something good). If necessary, look into obedience school.

Give it time - When you do finally get your animal home, it takes weeks, even months, to really get to know their little quirks. The anxiety involved in living in a shelter often doesn't bring out the best in animals immediately and can cause even the most calm, mild-mannered pet to be a bit anxious when you first bring them home. They may need some help with training or with manners, but be patient.

When searching for a new family member, it is important to It should also be noted, if you haven't give a lot of thought to owning a new pet, please do so before you adopt or purchase one. Many animals that end up in overcrowded shelters are there because their previous owners hadn't fully contemplated the amount of responsibility it takes to own one.

However, if you are ready to take this step, I hope this experience just serves as proof that it is entirely possible to find quality animals in shelters, and that where your pet comes from has absolutely no bearing on the joy they can bring to your life - if you let them.

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