Adopt A Shelter Dog Month

Happy Wednesday Everyone!! It's a cloudy day here in WNY and I am pretty sure we will be feeling the effects of fall here by the end of the week!! I hate to admit it, but I just might have to break down and turn on the furnace! I know the dog will definitely want to snuggle in and keep warm. Did you know that October is American Humane Association's Adopt a Dog month?! Are you looking for a new furry snuggle buddy?!

As I mentioned before, I am very pro for adopt, don't shop. Again, when I say don't shop, I am referring to pet store puppies. Puppies that more than likely come from puppy mills. Every time you purchase a pet store puppy, you're supporting puppy mills and the cruelty that a dog faces as part of that puppy mill. 

More than likely, your new pet store puppy comes from a momma that has been used as nothing more than a breeding machine, forced to live in overcrowded, cramped and filthy living conditions. That momma probably doesn't know what it's like to feel grass on her soft paws, but rather the hard wires that make up the bottom of her cage. Perhaps she is forced to sit in/with her own feces on a daily basis. She doesn't know a loving touch and she definitely has no proper medical care. She is simply a breeding machine, a profit maker. She has no name, just a number. Please take the time to read this story about Lily. She was a puppy mill dog. This is just one, ONE story out there among the thousands, maybe even millions of stories out there about puppy mills. For every puppy you buy from a pet store, you are keeping puppy mills in business.

I know, you are are probably reading this and thinking but if I buy from a pet store, I am still saving a dog. This is true, you are. But, it continues to be a never ending battle, a vicious cycle. Millions of dogs die every year. Hundreds of thousands of dogs are enduring cruelty and horrible living conditions in puppy mills. As cruel as this might sound, more dogs will have to either suffer and die, or, we can hope that they be rescued in an effort to shut down puppy mills by not purchasing from pet stores!!! Not to mention, that when you purchase from a pet store, you can't be guaranteed that you're getting a healthy puppy, even though it may seem perfectly fine. Unfortunately, the cold hard fact here is in order the put an end to puppy mills, dogs lives will have to be sacrificed. If we don't support the pet store, the pet store can't support the puppy mills and therefore, the puppy mills will go out of business.

Now, back to what this post was originally about! In October of 1981, this annual event was created by the American Humane Association. The purpose was to have people enhance their lives by encouraging them to save other lives by adopting dogs from shelters and rescue groups. October became known as Adopt a Shelter dog month! That message is still so powerful and true even 35 years later. Every year, millions of dogs await adoption in shelters.

Did you know that an adopted shelter dog can bring so much into your life? There are an estimated 3-4 million dogs waiting in shelters right now for safe, loving homes. Dogs are such wonderful companions. They make a huge difference in our lives, I think more than some even realize. They can be our best friends, an exercise buddy, and even a properly trained therapy dog to help you with challenges you might face daily, But the best reason of all to me, for adopting a shelter dog...that lovable face, that whole wagging body of unconditional love that greets you when you walk in the door after a long hard day.

At your local shelter, there are many dogs waiting for wonderful, safe and loving homes. They vary in breeds, sizes, ages and personalities. I am almost certain the right one is just waiting there for you, so that he/she can make their way right into your heart. If you're looking for a specific breed, then search up specific breed rescues in your area to help you find your special furry companion. You know what the best thing is? When you adopt a dog, you become a hero to this fuzzy faced creature, giving a dog the proper home and love it deserves. So many dogs are available for adoption across the country, yet so many of them never find homes and sadly, they are euthanized. Just think of the difference you can make for one dog by adopting one this month!!

Need a few ways to help you celebrate Adopt a shelter dog month?

Adopt from a shelter or rescue group

Adopt from your local animal shelter or rescue group when you’re ready to open your home and heart to your new best friend! Be sure to talk with staff at the shelter so that they may assist in finding the perfect dog for you and the lifestyle you lead. Don’t forget, older dogs make excellent pets also. They too have just as much love to offer.

Spay or neuter your dog

Have your dog spayed or neutered, thus preventing the possibility of unexpected, and potentially unwanted, puppies. Spaying and neutering your animals have been shown that they can lead longer, healthier lives and have fewer of certain behavioral problems than animals who have not been spayed or neutered.

ID your pet

There is nothing worse than losing a pet. It’s heartbreaking. Make sure you put identification on your dog. You can do a tag, a microchip or both. By doing this, you reduce the chances that your pet will become a presumed “homeless” dog that ends up at your local shelter. The chances of dogs who enter shelters that are reunited with their owners is 15-20%. Please make sure your dog is outfitted with proper id so that she/he can be returned to you.

Support your local shelter

Call your local shelter. Consider donating your time, some money or even supplies. Shelters are always in need of leashes, beds, toys and pet food. Show the pets at your local shelter or rescue group that you care. Every effort, even the smallest can make a world of difference. 

Pecan says "Thank you so much for reading! Please consider making a difference in a dogs life and adopt one this month. If not, then please, help out at your local shelter!!"

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It's the month of October and I am behind on my posts!! Shame on me!!I hope this finds everyone well! October is such an important month for awareness of a few different things, and I am going to talk about them over a series of posts in no specific order because each one is as important as the other. 

October is breast cancer awareness month!! I am happy and proud to say that my mom is a breast cancer survivor. In May of 2013, she was diagnosed with Ductal carcinoma in situ. According to cancer.org, it is expected that in 2015, an estimate of 60,290 new cases of female breast carcinoma in situ are expected to be diagnosed.  This accounts for about 20% of all breast tumors in women.

We were very lucky that she caught it early through a regular mammogram. It was at stage zero. This is proof that early detection is so important. This is also proof as to why mammography is so important in addition to self breast exams. Mom was told it was very small and more than likely, she wouldn't have been able to detect this with just a self exam. She had the lump removed and went through radiation treatment. So far so good, and any testing she has had to go through since then has been coming back negative.  She is doing great today!!

                

My mom is an amazing woman and I love her dearly! She is living proof that early detection is so important. So please make sure you are doing self exams regularly and schedule yourself for a mammogram. Breast cancer IS treatable if caught early, It is no longer the death sentence it used to be. Thanks for reading and if you haven't already done so, please schedule your mammogram soon!!