Paloma is a runner. She loves to run. She does not run anywhere specifically, mind you, she just enjoys the event. Sometimes she gets to run in wide-open spaces, like at the park, sometimes she runs alongside her mom’s bike, and occasionally she just runs back plus forth through the house. To her, it does not much matter, just as long as she gets to run. The way her life come into being, however, it was possible that she might never have gotten the opportunity.
Paloma is a one-year-old half English setter/half English pointer mix. Her name, which is Spanish for “dove,” was bestowed upon her because as a very young puppy, she was entirely white. The result of an accidental breeding between two show dogs, Paloma and her six sisters were unwanted and unexpected by the owners of both parent dogs. Fortunately, all seven dogs made their progress to a pointer rescue shelter, and have since all found happy homes.
Paloma’s chronicle is not a one off. Thousands of dogs across the country go unadopted and are in need of rescuing. Often these animals spend the rest of their lives in shelters, colloquially known as “the pound.” Those cannot be adopted are euthanized. The reasons these dogs land up in shelters vary. Some of them were bought as Christmas presents for a child, but soon the parents had second thoughts as it became clear that the puppy could be more trouble than they anticipated. Others ran away and were picked up by the local human society or animal control, but went unclaimed by their owners. Still others had to be given up thanks to their owner’s allergies or other health problems. Yet most of these Dogs Waiting for Adoption still have plenty of years of affection and companionship left in them, and would love nothing more than to be taken in by someone who will love and care for them.
Filed under: Adopting Pets, Adoption, Dogs, Pets, Puppies
