TulsaPets Magazine November 2023

38 TulsaPets • November / December 2023 the one thing even these dogs don’t deserve is the lifelong label, “He’s a rescue.” Discover the Unknowns Adopting from a rescue group or animal shelter is a wonderful thing. You are giving a deserving dog the chance to live in a hap- py home. You might not have the benefit of knowing his past, but you are ensuring his future. Admittedly, when your newly adopted friends first come home, there are a lot of unknowns. You don’t know what training they have had or, in most cases, haven’t had. You don’t know how well socialized they are to new places, sounds, people, and other pets. You don’t know if they are house- trained or not. You don’t know if your favorite shoes are in jeopardy of becoming a chew toy or not. No dog is a blank slate. Even an eight- week-old puppy from a safe, happy, known background will come with its own little ideas, instincts, habits, and challenges. That’s why knowing the facts about a new dog is so important. You have a hound mix, and he’s howling. It’s not necessarily because he might have been abandoned or abused in a former life, it’s because he’s a hound, and they bay. You have a German shepherd mix who barks like crazy when someone comes to your door. I tend to blame DNA that is instinc- tively driving him to guard rather than using the “He’s a rescue” label to explain away the behavior. Drop the Label The point I really want to drive home is that your dog shouldn’t be burdened with a label. A dog taken in as a stray or adopted from a shelter shouldn’t have to carry that stigma for life. The moment that dog crosses the threshold of your house, he’s no longer a rescue. He’s your dog. So let’s revisit that scene with my foster puppy. When a well-meaning stranger tried to reach out to pet him and he shied away, my smiling response should have been, “My puppy is a bit timid, so we’re out for a fun, easy adventure walk to help him start get- ting acquainted with the world. Would you mind just standing near and chatting with me while he figures out everything is fine?” I don’t need to make excuses, I just need to make progress. Most people are so willing to take a mo- ment to help. And I’m right there managing the interaction to ensure a good experience for everyone, human and puppy alike. Most important, my puppy is not a “rescue,” he’s a cute mixed-breed dog. No one feels sorry for him. No one sees him as a hopeless case. No excuses. He’s simply a darling puppy on a learning mission. Wonderful owners of adopted dogs, unite! Let’s all make a pact right now to drop the label — no excuses, no specula- tion. Let’s all agree that “rescued” is not a breed or type of dog, it’s something great that happened to make your dog’s life bet- ter. And now your dog is adopted — a far better label if one is needed. Let’s take the facts we know about our dogs and move forward. I’ll go first. “Meet Gordie, he’s a German shepherd and husky mix puppy, I’m currently training with him, he’s very smart. And he’s a very good boy.” Stacey Smith, DVM 4651 S. Peoria Tulsa, OK 74105 (918) 747-8561 brooksideanimal1@outlook.com Through client education, illness and preventive care, we are invested in your pet’s health and well-being. We pro mote kindness to all creatures, and kindness to each other. We will be offering limited services on Tuesdays from 4-7 and Saturdays from 10-2 at ANIMAL ACUPUNCTURE , 4505 S. Peoria. HOSPITAL UNDER REPAIR! Dr. Smith is taking some much needed medical leave while our building is getting rebuilt. from Dogtopia of South Tulsa Schedule your overnight stays today! DOGTOPIA OF SOUTH TULSA 8170 S. Lewis Ave • 918-891-3110 dogtopia.com/south-tulsa happy holidays