Along Came Chewy
I wanted a dog in the worst way. My boyfriend and I strongly preferred a hypoallergenic dog because of our allergies, and Shih Tzus had a special place in our hearts. My first priority, though, was adopting a dog that already needed a loving home.
I spent a month relentlessly refreshing dog shelter’s websites. I made dozens of phone calls and took a handful of trips to Paws and the Anti-Cruelty Society. Every time a hypoallergenic dog went up on their websites, they were (fortunately) adopted immediately. I even raced someone to the cage of a Shih-Poo during a “Clear the Shelters,” event but they beat me to her and I cried. Please picture a grown-ass woman crying at a dog shelter. I was that ready.
One day I decided to take a look on Craigslist to see if someone might be giving away their dog, and along came a Shih Tzu…in Munster, Indiana.
So, at the drop of a hat, we grabbed a friend’s car and took off to my mom’s hometown of Munster to meet a dog we knew nothing about.
At 1 and a half, “Cujo,” (are they KIDDING with that name?) had been in two different homes. He hadn’t been neutered, he hadn’t been groomed and he was terrified of everything. We weren’t told much about his first and long-term home, but it didn’t seem good.
I could tell he needed love in the worst way. He was mangy and aggressive, and his owner admitted that three people had come to meet him and left. I wanted to show this damaged and adorable little furball that the world could be a good place.
Three months have passed and he’s given me far more than I’ve given him. He makes Bryan and me an even stronger team. He makes us laugh every damn day. He has truly grown into a PERFECT, easy-going, cuddly companion and it has been incredibly rewarding. He is a smiley ball of love.
He turns two today (DOB: 11/12/13) and I can’t wait to shower him with more love than ever before. It hurts me to think he may have ever suffered, but I’m so glad we were able to give him the love he deserves.
Although it didn’t work out this way, I wish we would have found our Chewy at a shelter. It would have meant he was receiving the care he needed, we would have received the incredible resources they provide and most importantly, we’d be making room for another dog to be saved. Regardless, I truly hope his story inspires even the pickiest dog-lover to consider adopting. Your dream dog is out there and it needs your love.
In honor of his birthday, I’m sharing 5 reasons why it’s important to adopt, not shop.
1. You’ll be saving a life
There are 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats in the US that get euthanized each year simply because too many pets come into shelters and too few people adopt. When you adopt from a shelter, not only are you saving your pet’s life, but you’re making room for another pet that needs their help.
2. You won’t be supporting mass-breeding facilities
According to Helping Hands Humane Society Inc., “puppy mills… repeatedly impregnate female dogs… [that] are often left in intolerable environments, forced to produce litter upon litter, and are destroyed after they become unprofitable assets.”
Additionally, “most puppies in pet stores and sold online come from puppy mills [and] are sold to unsuspecting consumers…Puppy mills will continue to operate until people stop supporting them.” – The Humane Society of the US.
3. It is approximately $1,200 cheaper
Buying a dog is expensive. Adopting a dog is not. In addition to providing many subsidized resources, most animal shelter’s spay or neuter pets and take care of their shots so that you don’t have to.
4. Many “pre-owned” dogs are already house-trained.
As first-time pet owners, we had a big learning curve to deal with — especially since Chewy he had some behavioral issues. It was a blessing that he was already extremely well house-trained.
5. You’ll change that animal’s world and it’s rewarding as hell
Sarah Pellegrino says
Your story is so sweet! Chewy seems wonderful and I am a huge Shih-Tzu fan too!
trosenberg2@gmail.com says
Thanks, Sarah!! 🙂 <3