I setup some alerts with Petfinder to email me when a Chihuahua for adoption is listed by a rescue organization in my local area. The system is good, but not granular enough to rule out dogs that are not quite a good fit. I’m not complaining – the rescue organizations do the best they can with the volunteers and limited funds they have. Their primary job is to find, identify and save dogs that can then be adopted. Petfinder is simply a tool that helps with the adoption part.
- Sometimes am presented with puppies that are Chihuahua/Unknown Mix breeds. Not an option for me, because puppies grow. I don’t want to get stuck if I adopted one that grew to Lab sized. I’m a small dog guy.
- Other times, I get an email about a Special Needs dog – like one that’s paralyzed with no use of its hind legs, or is dog unfriendly, or has a terminal health issue. Nope. My first dog, Ziggy, had IBD and a host of other issues (all unknown when we bought him). It was a nightmare (emotionally & financially) dealing with his many health problems. I won’t put myself into that situation knowingly.
- Then, there’s the pair of bonded sister Chihuahuas that pull at my heartstrings. One looks a lot like Snickers. The rescue wants to adopt them out as a pair because they are so bonded. As much as I want to meet them, I won’t. I already have Wiggles. One dog is easy. Two dogs is more fun, but twice as expensive and challenging. I’m not ready for 3 dogs. I might never be.
So every night, as I scan Petfinder, I tell myself, “No”. I have to remind myself not to make an impulsive decision simply because I miss my little SnikSnak. I tell myself how easy and calm these past two weeks have been as Wiggles and I settle into a one man/one dog routine.
I have a strong feeling I’m not going to make it too long without another dog. But I’m trying hard to make it be the best choice, instead of the speediest one.