If you're thinking about bringing a new canine home for your family, consider adopting one from a shelter. You'll find shelters are filled with dogs that would make ideal companions if given the chance. Some are there because they became lost and were unable to find their way home. Others are there because their previous owners were unable to continue caring for them (e.g. they moved into an apartment with a "no pet" policy). A reputable shelter will take the time to make sure a pet in their care is a good match for you and your family.

This article will provide five important tips for adopting a shelter dog. The following suggestions will help ensure you bring home a healthy, happy, and affectionate canine.

I’ve come to distrust the loyalty of cats.  From my desk I can hear George scratching at my back door.  The sun is starting to set, so, as usual, I know he’ll be waiting scruffy and desperate on my back doormat.  I’ll open the door to find him sitting silently with his tail tucked around his legs meowing piteously for his dinner, the perfect picture of the luckless stray.  Indeed, when I first met George and his feline associate in crime, Fionna, I thought they were strays.  Of course, it was only a day or so before I discovered that they live only a few doors down from me and, indeed, spend most of their day indoors.