by Texas Homesteader ~
Sadly there are many unwanted pets waiting to find their furrever home. So if you’re looking to add a dog to your family please consider adopting. You can save a dog’s life!
Deciding To Get A Dog
RancherMan & I had been thinking about getting a dog for quite a while now. We haven’t had any pets for many years and the hankerin’ to get a pooch to hang around the Homestead with us has been quietly whispering in our ear for years.
Considerations For Pet Breeds To Adopt
There are many considerations to make before deciding to adopt a dog. Do you have other pets it would need to get along with? Children? Can you afford the additional feed a larger dog would require? Grooming for pets needing it? etc..
Here are the things we were looking for in our particular situation:
Lower allergy breed like a poodle, a schnauzer or a terrier. (I’m allergic to pet dander)
Small enough that it could be an inside dog.
Large enough to roam pastures with RancherMan.
Adult dog so no puppy problems (housetraining, chewing, etc)
And I wanted it to have what I’ve always called ‘puppy eyes’.
So there ya go – our long list of requirements!
Sad Reality of Unwanted Pets
It’s a sad fact that many unwanted animals are born each year to pet owners who don’t bother to have their pets spayed or neutered. Litter after litter of unwanted cuties are born until they overrun their environment.
They’re often sent out to fend for themselves by unscrupulous pet owners. Shockingly it’s common that many of these animals are dropped off on the side of a country road far from their home. Out of sight, out of mind!
I’m not sure what’s in these pet owner’s minds about how this could possibly be a better life for their unwanted pet. These poor animals are often doomed to live a life of misery!
They’re hungry, wet & cold. Desperately searching for food they find trouble with flocks of chickens or rural trash cans. Skirmishes with coyotes or other wildlife can leave them injured and frightened.
And of course many of them are hit by passing vehicles on rural highways. Truly heartbreaking.
Adopting Our Dog
RancherMan & I both really wanted to do the responsible thing and adopt when we finally decided to add a dog to our home.
But before we adopted we really wanted to be sure we could commit to the long-term responsibilities of owning a pet.
Working With The Animal Shelter For A Perfect Fit
When we were ready we contacted a local no-kill shelter where there were dogs of all kinds. Small ones, large ones, barky ones and quiet ones. There were both purebred dogs and lovable mutts.
And they were waiting for a good furrever home. They all greeted us with wagging tails and it wasn’t long before a shelter worker came out to speak with us and asked if we had any questions.
I told the shelter worker that we had cattle, chickens and grandbabies and wanted a dog that could get along with all of them.
She pointed out the milder-mannered dogs and told us all she knew about each one, which she knew by name. She appeared to genuinely care about getting these animals to the right home. You could tell she was truly a tender-hearted animal lover.
When these animals are successfully adopted they’ll each be spayed or neutered, micro chipped and immunized.
Falling In Love With A Mini-Schnauzer
As luck would have it I fell in love with a pair of cute puppy eyes that belonged to an adult female schnauzer. Hummmm, all of our requirements in one adorable face… RancherMan could tell right away that I was smitten.
As we stood there at the shelter weighing our decision, he knew this sweet girl would be coming home with us. I confidentially announced “Her name is Bailey!”
Here’s the very first time I held Bailey in my arms.
She was still being held at the shelter for a couple more days so she could be spayed and microchipped. As soon as she was recovered from her spay surgery we picked her up & brought her home.
Bringing Bailey Home
The shelter sent us home with a goodie bag filled with toys, heart-worm meds, treats and a brand new collar & leash. They even gave us a free 30-day pet insurance policy!
If you’re thinking about adding a lovable four-legged member to your family, please, please PLEASE consider adopting!
So without further adieu I’d like to introduce to you the 4-legged member of our family, Bailey.
She loves it here at the Homestead & she’s become friends with the cows and even the chickens.
I think she fits in quite nicely here, whaddya think?
~TxH~
Other Pet-Related Posts
- Man’s Best Friend… Responsibly
- MYO Pet-Training Treats
- Successfully Training Our Ranch Dog
- Thinking Of Adding A Pup To Your Home This Christmas?
- Homemade Carpet Cleaning Solution
- TWO Simple Yet Gentle Dog Shampoo Recipes
- Saying Goodbye To Our Homestead Dog Bailey
See All Our Pet Articles
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What a sweetie! I’m so glad you adopted from a no-kill shelter. We volunteer at one that our good friend owns and she also knows every dog by name and will only adopt them out to homes where she knows they will be loved and well taken care of. There are so many sad stories out there, so it’s great to read your happy one. Happy for you and for Bailey! Congratulations!
What a wonderful thing your friend is doing, Pamela. These sweet animals deserve a life of love, especially since some of them have suffered so much at the hands of their previous caregivers. Our sweet Bailey was loved dearly by her previous caregiver, but suffered mightily when her caregiver became ill and her care was shifted to others. How anyone could look into those sweet brown eyes and HIT her I’ll never know! We see glimpses of her prior hell from time to time. She loves & trusts us, but she will never be free of her fear of being harmed – my heart breaks over that! But she’s now in a place that will heap lots of love onto her. She loves bouncing around the pastures with RancherMan checking the cows, and accompanying me to the garden. Although her fear will be with her forever, it will never again become a reality for her!
She is adorable! I love that you went through the shelter! Enjoy your sweet girl!
Thanks Lucy, we love her!
Love her! We have a schnauzer too. They are awesome dogs. They are very smart, eager to please and love to be given tasks. They have great stamina and are sturdy too. Simply love them! Enjoy! BTW, you are featured this week on the hop. How could I resist?!~ xo Melissa
Very cool Melissa, thanks for the feature. We’ve only had her just over a week and we already love her, she’s doing so well with her obedience training too.
I have been a dog groomer for 21 years now…and an owner of two miniature schnauzers for eight years. As far as I am concerned…and I KNOW dogs…schnauzers are the best. They are slow to trust, but very intelligent and loving. I tell people they are the perfect dog, all except for the barking. However, love the dog, love the bark. They are guard animals as far as the first alert warning…they use their bark to call in the BIG dogs…you…to come deal with any problems. They are very good ratters as well. Enjoy your new little girl…I know she will hold a special place in your heart, and be a valuable member of the farm!
Thanks for your comment Deborah, I’ve never owned a schnauzer before but Bailey is such a sweetie, we love her already. She doesn’t bark much but that could change as she settles in to her new home. We’re working on her training & she’s very eager to please, it’s going very well. 🙂
Congratulations! Dogs are so fun to have in the family and they can grab your heart quicker than anything. I don’t know what I would do without one. Thanks for sharing on the Four Seasons Blog Hop~
too sweet 🙂 I just posted one about our adoption of Macy! Fur babies are so wonderful!! JIC you want to see it: /adoption-of-our-fur-baby-macy/
OMGosh I love your adoption story. And good for you for waiting for just the right baby!
Congrats on your new family member! I am a huge fan of Schnauzers. My Zoey makes me laugh all the time and our allergy prone family has no problems with dander or shedding. May you have many wonderful years together!
We’ve become quite attached to her already. It’s good to know your allergy-prone family has no problems, I’d always read Schnauzers were good dogs if you had allergies but I’ve never had one. ~TxH~
What a beautiful, sweet dog! I know what you mean about looking for a dog with those “puppy eyes”. Like you, after many years of not having a dog, we recently adopted a two year old Lab puppy. There is nothing like giving someone or something another chance at love and happiness. When we do, our world becomes a better place.
Take care.
Emily
Well said Emily! ~TxH~
Thanks Colleen, I’ve heard that too. So far she fits in perfectly here. She’s starting to learn her name & will come & sit on command so that’s a big plus. We want to make sure she’s obedient before we allow her to go outside without a leash but she’s well on her way. ~TxH~
Congratulations on your adoption of Bailey. She is absolutely adorable and they make for an excellent watchdog.
She’s a great looking dog. I wish you all the best with her. I have a special place in my heart for rescued dogs, they seem to always remember that you saved them and love you extra.
Thanks Dians, she certainly is a cuddle bunny and I love her already. ~TxH~
Awww, she’s adorable! Wishing you all the best with your new family member. 🙂
Thanks Wendy – it’s been so much fun having her just in these few days but I know we have lots more fun in store. ~TxH~
I always say Max rescued US! I love Bailey and Max is so happy you have your own little furry bundle to love and cuddle with 🙂 I look forward to seeing posts that include sweet Bailey!
Awwww… I *LOVE* that Kathe!! ~TxH~
Congratulations on your new baby! I’m sure she will be a lot of fun.
Now that its getting warmer, I’m kind of missing having a dog to go outdoors with. We’ll see…
OMGoodness Carole we’ve been having so much fun with her! And we feel really good about the fact that she’s adopted from a shelter. Not only a win for her but also a definite WIN for us! ~TxH~