Most of the time, adopting a dog is something that we plan for a relatively long time. Maybe we need to take some time off from work in order to take care of our new puppy as best we can. Another preparation could be to get some toys, and maybe even one of the fancy dog beds that are available. All the things that are organized beforehand helps us prepare, so that we’re finally ready when the day comes, and the dog is old enough for us to bring home. But this is not always the case, become a dog owner can sometimes be a sudden event which has not been planned at all. One example of this is described in the following article by Heather Marcoux:
Found in a Dumpster and Saved From Blindness, Baby Becomes a Mascot
When Dawn Malvasio’s fiancé came home from his job at a Staten Island construction site with a puppy in his pocket, he had an interesting story to tell. It all started when he’d gone to throw some debris into a dumpster and heard something that sounded like crying.
“He didn’t know what it was. At first he thought it was a rat. He didn’t know what to think. He moved a mattress that was in there over, and there was Baby, at 6 weeks old.”
The couple already had an 8-month-old Pit Bull named Scrappy, so Malvasio’s fiancé suggested they try to find a home for this little puppy he had saved. As the evening progressed, it was clear that Scrappy was in full big-brother mode, doting over this unexpected guest — and he wasn’t the only one falling in love. Malvasio quickly realized Baby had already found her home.
It’s great to see that people are willing to step up and help when there is an animal in need. They need food and shelter, just as much as we do, and pets need the support of a human in order to survive. The article below shows another example of a person that is willing to give a helping hand:
EMS Worker Adopts Dog that Lost Human in Truck Accident
When a truck driver tried to avoid hitting a vehicle driven by someone that fell asleep at the wheel, the truck driver was in an accident and lost his life. One of the EMS workers that responded has adopted the special needs dog that was with the driver of the truck that had lost his life.
But interacting with a dog we’ve never met before can be scary for some people, and it’s important to be cautious. So how should we act when meeting a dog for the first time? This article provides some basic things to think about:
How to Safely Meet (and Pet!) a Strange Dog
If you’re like us, you probably have the overwhelming urge to pet any cute dog you see walking your way. There are a few things you should keep in mind before you approach new furry friends. We’ve put together some simple guidelines to help both you and the new dog have a positive first encounter.
Ask the Owner
Don’t be shy! It’s always a good idea to check with a dog’s owner before saying hello. And asking for permission is more than polite—it gives the owner a chance to tell you if their pup is in training, nervous around strangers, or otherwise not prepped for snuggles.
Think Like a Dog
Dogs greet each other by sniffing, so take a page from their (likely drool-covered) book and slowly offer the back of your hand for the dog to smell. Don’t worry, you don’t need to return the favor.
Here’s a video that can be another good resource, with advice on how to greet a dog we’ve never seen before:
Hopefully, reading about dogs that received the help they needed was motivating for you, and perhaps you have a better understanding of how to interact with new dogs, from reading the advice and watching the video. But every dog is unique, and it’s always important to be cautious, because we can never be completely sure how they will react.
Unexpecting pet owners was seen for the first time on The Little Windup Pup.
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