We're getting a dog!

(I wrote this last week and was so busy that I forgot to post it...so here you are anyway.)

Today is an exciting day...we're getting a dog! I know, not that exciting unless you're adopting one, too...but lots of excitement from this end!


Doesn't he just look like a little trouble-maker?

We thought we'd do our part as a responsible family and adopt from a shelter. Not that adopting a puppy from a breeder is not responsible. Anyone with a child knows that bringing an older dog home from a shelter without knowing its history can be more irresponsible than letting a child running with scissors, or giving a toddler a fork and setting them next to an outlet. (If you don't agree that these two things are irresponsible, please don't have children.) However, my daughter and I searched shelters for weeks and we found a puppy that we fell in love with, and we get to meet him today. All we have to do now is pass inspection.

The process goes as follows: select the pet that you would like to meet. You can't actually visit the shelter to meet your potential family member; instead, you email a generic email address the Thursday before a weekend, and they respond, letting you know that they will bring the dog to one of their 'events' that they hold at your local PetSmart (or not so local, in this case) over the weekend. You can't decide the day or the time, so if it's not convenient, cancel your weekend plans. You can't call; the phone number redirects you to the use the email address, or leave a message. At the adoption event (if your pet is still available), you get to fight others to try and see the pet. Are they actually adopting? Who knows. So you get to watch other people play with your potential pet while you just wait, even though you were the one who requested the pet even be brought to the event. Once you get some quality time with your potential pet and decide to adopt, you fill out the dreaded application form. You have to tell them whether you own or rent, and bring them a copy of your lease to prove that you can have dogs. You fill out the application form and turn it in to two 'adoption counselors', who more or less judge you. What do you have to do to be denied? We're going to find out. I would imagine that answering the questions like this might deny you (or would it?):

Here are some real questions, and pretend answers, from the application form:

(Q) Is any member of your household allergic to dogs?
(A) Yes, but we're hoping allergy medication will help.

(Q) Why do you want a dog?
(A) I get angry sometimes, and I'm running out of walls to take out my anger on.

(Q) If your new dog is not housebroken, how will you correct him/her when there is an accident, and what method will you use to train him/her?
(A) A leather belt, and a leather belt.

(Q) Are you ready to take responsibility of this pet for 10-15 years?
(A) Wait...they live this long? I guess I will just release it after a few years then...

I can't even joke about this question, but this is the answer that I wanted to put down:

(Q) What will you do with the dog if you move?
(A) Seriously? Do people just give up their dogs when they move? Really? I think I'm just going to abandon it...

Come on! How do they expect people to answer these questions? I understand all of the hoops that they make you jump through, though. They are trying to provide the dog with a safe environment and make sure that someone doesn't just adopt on a whim. It's kind of sad, though...it almost seems easier to just buy a dog from a breeder. We're staying dedicated to this process, and hopefully it will pay off!