History of Dogs and humans

Before we go to the question of why adopting, let's take a look at the history of dogs and humans. The bond between dogs and humans dates back to 40,000 years ago. Genetic studies undertaken during the 2010s have discovered that dogs diverged from an extinct wolf-like canid which has been selectively bred by humans for millennia for various behaviors, sensory capabilities, and physical attributes. Dogs, being the oldest domesticated animals for the past 33,000 years, they have been attuned to human behavior.* (Wikipedia)

As a domesticated animal, they perform many roles for people, such as hunting, herding, protection, assisting police and military, companionship and aiding handicapped individuals. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the human–canine bond is influenced by emotional, psychological, and physical interactions that are essential to the health and well-being of both people and dogs. So dogs help us to stay healthy. But do we always do the same in return?

As a passionate dog lover, you will probably make sure that your dog as a family member will get the best treatment and will be an integrated part of your family. But unfortunately not everybody is a responsible dog owner. Especially when dogs are used for the sole purpose of protection, they often end up at the end of a chain outside of a property they are supposed to guard for their entire life. They are deprived of frequent human contact. But dogs thrive on human contact, so those dogs on a chain often end up spending their entire life in a miserable state in front of a property and due to that ordeal in some cases become aggressive. A recent scientific study has shown that certain experiences throughout the dog’s life trigger a certain behavior, rather than breed. In other words, rarely a dog ever is born aggressive. Bad experiences and abuse may trigger aggressive behavior in some cases. However, humans can also reverse those effects if dogs get access to professional training.

1. ADOPTING A DOG FROM A FOSTER OR SHELTER, YOU WILL SAVE A LIFE.

Almost 3 Million dogs are euthanized each year, in the US alone. The estimated number of stray animals in Europe is 100 Million (Source: ESDAW). Many of these die on the street, never experiencing the warmth of being in a family; never fulfilling a dog’s raison-d-etre: to serve his family and in return being loved. So if you save a life you can truly claim that “Saving one dog will probably not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change FOREVER”. (Karen Davison)

2. CHANCES ARE THAT YOU BUY A DOG FROM A PET STORE THAT HAS BEEN BRED FROM PUPPY MILLS WHERE DOGS ARE KEPT UNDER HORRIBLE CONDITIONS to breed until DISCARDED.

While there are responsible breeders, chances are that you might buy a dog from a pet store that has been bred from irresponsible puppy mills where dogs are kept under horrible conditions to breed until they are discarded. Puppy Mills are intense, often illegal, dog breeding facilities whose conditions fail to meet basic dog's needs. Those conditions include solitary confinement or overcrowded housing, inadequate or absence of veterinary care and filthy living conditions. Those puppy mills often take puppies away far too early from their mothers, whilst mother dogs will be impregnated until they cannot have puppies anymore, in which case they are discarded. If you want to learn more about the puppy Mill industry, there are many articles on the internet. However, we would advise to go to reliable sources, such as from renowned animal welfare organizations like RSPCA, ASPCA, Four Paws as well as Newspapers, like The Guardian, Daily Mail, Huffington Post and others, only to name a few. Bottom line, you can never be sure when buying from a pet store.

3. RESCUE DOGS OFTEN MAKE INCREDIBLE TRANSFORMATIONS AND ARE MUCH MORE GRATEFUL TO HIS NEW LOVING FOREVER HOME.

Most rescue dogs were abandoned for reasons that have nothing to do with any behavioral problems. During their time on the street, it is most likely that they had bad experiences. Once placed in a new loving forever home, dogs make incredible transformation with patience, love and care, which is just wonderful if you can be part of that and will have an even more loyal dog for life. Because your dog knows that you are the one who has given him or her a second chance and saved him.

5. with an ADULT RESCUE DOG you will know whether his personality will match yours.

Unfortunately adult rescue dogs often have it harder to find a new home. Not because they don’t have incredible personalities, but because many people prefer puppies. The beauty about adult dogs (whether 2 or 12 years old) is that they already have developed their personalities and this can avoid surprises. When you meet the dog, you will easily tell whether the energy level fits with yours. And once you have chosen the right adult dog, this dog will adore you even more because with his experiences, he knows that you gave him a chance that he will be always grateful for.

6. if you don't judge on the color, you might end up with a gem.

Similarly to adult dogs, it is generally harder for black rescue dogs to find a new home. In some countries, like Taiwan, the color black brings bad luck. But also in Europe and the US, black rescue dogs have a harder time of finding a home. Maybe this is because black dogs are often associated with being more scary looking. But the color does not decide on the dog’s personality. So the next time you visit a shelter or foster, look out for that black dog that nobody wants and decide whether he or she might be the right choice for you.

Eight Ways THAT DOGS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY

1. They get you out of the house. Dog owners often get a lot more exercise when they are walking their dog. Although it is not always wonderful to walk your dog when it is raining heavily outside or when there is ice and snow, not only your dog will be happy, but also your physical health will thank you afterwards that you got out of the house, got fresh air and exercise.

2. They reduce your risk of heart disease. Interestingly, studies have shown that dog owners who are walking their dog have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and less risk of heart disease.

3. Dogs improve mental health. When your pup awaits you coming home, you see the joy when he wags little tail for you and it just lifts your mood. That is because your pup’s presence lowers cortisol levels, the chemical that causes stress and your body releases serotonin and oxytocin, chemicals responsible for happiness.

4. They make you less likely to develop allergies. Whilst there is no guarantee, it may be a great way to decrease your overall chance of developing allergies. Since dog fur is full of dander a childhood dog exposes kids to all those allergens early and helps boosting the kids immune systems.

5. They might know when something is really wrong. Dogs are more sensitive to their environments than humans. That is why they have been known from detecting anything from earthquakes to seizures to cancer tumors. There have been cases reported when dogs were behaving strange to their owner because they could smell cancer. Also CNN reported recently about dogs that smell out cancer better than any lab test.

6. They help you to expand your social circle. There is no better way than starting discussions with fellow dog owners. Especially when you move to a new city, you easily will be able to make conversations with fellow dog owners. And conversations in those cases just happen naturally.

7. They will protect you from danger. Not every dog is a guard dog and no dog should be used for the sole purpose of protection, especially when this results in a dog being chained for life. But dogs, no matter how small or large, can be a great way of protecting you. Criminals are less likely to target your house when they know there is a dog outside. Take the example of a recent case where a woman got attacked by two men when a stray dog came to her help and saved her life. She afterwards adopted her life saver. While this may be a unique case, there have been many more of those cases been reported. Fact is, your dog will always protect his human from any danger.

8. Dogs are wonderful companions as you age. For older adults who retired and whose kids have left the house, a dog can add structure to the day and be a wonderful asset. But not only for retired people, dogs can be a wonderful asset. Also when you have teenagers, you can be assured that at least your dog will always be happy to see when you come back home.

AFTER YOU adopt

Once you adopted, there will be a time of adjustment for you and your dog. You might need to have some patience in the beginning with regards to house training, or simply how to walk with you off-leash, or that it is ok when you are away for some time during the day. Out of experiences with our own dog and having seen many rescues being adopted, if you are patient, loving and provide the right environment, training and care, it will be an easy process. During this time, the foster or shelter where your dog came from will remain available for any information that will facilitate this transition.

History of Dogs and humans

Six Reasons why adopting a dog is better than buying one from a pet store

1. ADOPTING A DOG FROM A FOSTER OR SHELTER, YOU WILL SAVE A LIFE.

2. CHANCES ARE THAT YOU BUY A DOG FROM A PET STORE THAT HAS BEEN BRED FROM PUPPY MILLS WHERE DOGS ARE KEPT UNDER HORRIBLE CONDITIONS to breed until DISCARDED.

3. RESCUE DOGS OFTEN MAKE INCREDIBLE TRANSFORMATIONS AND ARE MUCH MORE GRATEFUL TO HIS NEW LOVING FOREVER HOME.

4. MOST PRE-OWNED DOGS COME HOUSE TRAINED.

5. with an ADULT RESCUE DOG you will know whether his personality will match yours.

6. if you don't judge on the color, you might end up with a gem.

Eight Ways THAT DOGS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY

And always remember...

AFTER YOU adopt