What About a Rescue Dog?
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By Charlene Berstler
This article is part of the series "Beginner's Guide to a Bouvier des Flandres" Many individuals would rather not buy a puppy because of house-breaking, chewing, etc., but are interested in an older dog. What about rescue? Don't get a rescue dog if:
Rescue makes every attempt to provide the new owner with a sound, healthy dog. Special emphasis is placed on temperament and health. Some dogs have been physically abused and need extra patience to learn that you aren't going to hurt them. Some dogs have been left uncared for and need severe haircuts to clean up their coat and let it grow as it should. Some dogs have other special needs. Some dogs just need a new home and have little or no problems. All rescue dogs:
Rescue participation can be heart-wrenching, however, it is always very rewarding. Finding a large dog who is matted to the point you have to really know the breed to see what he is, who is afraid of your hand even when you are holding a treat, who doesn't have the vaguest idea what a lead is, and one who is severely underweight can make you want to cry ... But when he looks at you with those big wonderful brown eyes, wags his tail, and gives you a big Bouvier kiss, you know how minor the things are that you see as wrong. With love, care, and time you and this dog will become great friends and he will never feel unloved again (and you won't either)! Experience shows that once you win a rescue dog's trust, they are exceedingly loyal pets who bond very tightly with their new owners. Adopting a rescue dog takes a special person, because these are very special Bouviers. |
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© Copyright 1994-2001; Rev. 1998. This article is copyrighted by the American Bouvier des Flandres Club (ABdFC) and may not be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the ABdFC.