New Dog v. Shelter Dog
 

Hi Everyone!

As I mentioned before, I want to get another little girl Yorkie to add to my family. But now I am thinking about possibly getting a rescued dog from a shelter. I have been looking at the dogs on www.petfinder.com and also at a few of the local animal shelters. I am even going to look at shelters in New Jersey. But I can't decide what to do. I think it's WONDERFUL when rescued puppy mill pooches get awesome homes but I'm nervous about doing it myself. A lot of these poor babies have emotional scars because of the disgusting conditions they came from.

One of my biggest concerns is getting a shelter dog and (after falling head over heels in love w/ it after 1 look) I bring her home and she doesn't like my other 2 babies. I would be HEARTBROKEN to have to return her. Of course I would try my best to make them become friends (even have a personal trainer come to my house which I have done before). My dogs have never been traumatized in anyway. Would bringing in a dog who was abused ruin my dogs innocent personality? Maybe I am being selfish but I have to put my babies best interest first because if I did't, what type of mother would I be?

Please let me know your opinions! Thanks so much in advance!

Well, i think petfinder is a great idea. but i got a dog from the east brunswick pound 7 1/2 years ago. i think getting one from a pound is awsome and so is getting one from a shelter. the ones in the pound are soooo sweet and they are only $20. well they were when i went anyway. good luck!!!!! i'm sure what ever you choose you will love your little baby!

Pound and shelter dogs make the BEST pets... I think they let ya know how THANKFUL they are!
Maybe ask shelters about a trial basis, to see i how everyone gets along, or how they handle that,, maybe a visit to your house?? They might be very accomidating!

You might be surprised at how your dogs will react. Often the more stable pets in a home actually help the shelter/rescue dog become comfortable. Of course, it always depends on the dog. Just make sure before you bring one home that you see it interact with other dogs. My mom got me a rescue but he's my sons dog now, he doesn't really care for other dogs, he's not mean at all just anti-social, he was never around other pets before. He's starting to warm up a bit though and my chi really tries to be his buddy by laying next to him and deferring the food bowl (he won't eat with another dog, has to have the bowl by himself).
It's a great thing to rescue a dog and the rewards are immeasurable. I tried but around here shelters are full of hounds and lab mixed, little dogs never make it to the shelter, employees grab them up.
Good luck and God bless you!
Windy and Lida Rose

Why not compromise and get a rescue puppy ? All mine have been rescues but none more than 8 months old (the youngest was 5 weeks).