National Puppy Day! 10 Reasons to Adopt a Rescue Pup!
Happy National Puppy Day! I love that there is a holiday just for promoting adoption and celebrating the unconditional love we get from our fur babies!
Adopting our rescue pups last year has transformed our lives in ways we could never have imagined. As someone who has always loved dogs, I never knew just how much love I would get in return when I became a Dog Mom. My heart has never been as full as it is now, and Kenobi and Koufax are the centers of my universe! When Mr. San Diego and I decided we were ready to become pet parents, we knew adopting from a rescue was the way to go.
Both of our boys were saved from local city dog pounds and fostered by Cody’s Friends Rescue in Dallas/Fort Worth. They were set up with amazing foster families who helped prepare them for their forever homes. We are so proud to be a part of the Cody’s Alumni Family and love all the organization's work!
I could list a million reasons why having a puppy is amazing - from unconditional love, epic snuggles, having companionship, etc. - but to celebrate this fantastic holiday, I wanted to share ten reasons why adopting a rescue IS THE BEST!
1 - You Save more than one Life!
There are millions of homeless animals in shelters that are put down every single year when they can’t find a home. Millions. Adopting a rescue helps save a pup from possible euthanasia! Not only is the pup that you’re adopting saved, but it opens up a spot for another dog to be sheltered and rescued!
2 - rescue pups save you money!
We loved working with Cody’s Friends Rescue because they made the entire process so easy and affordable. Their donation fee covered the vaccinations, microchipping, and neutering for the boys. It was $325 to adopt a puppy (less if it’s an adult pup), which is WAYYY less than buying from a breeder and less than it would have cost us to vaccinate and neuter on our own dime. Most rescue groups vaccinate and spay/neuter their dogs, so you generally don’t have to spend much on them upfront!
Available Cody’s Dogs: codysfriendsrescue.org
Cody’s Adoption Process: codysfriendsrescue.org/adoption-process
Cody’s Instagram: @codysfriendsrescue
Cody’s Facebook: facebook.com/CFRDallas
Rescue Pro Tip: Petco and PetSmart have New Puppy Guides that include A LOT of amazing coupons on essentials you’ll need for your new pup! The guides are usually $20 each, but they are FREE if you can show proof of rescue adoption! We got the guides from both stores and saved SOOO MUCH MONEY on everything from crates, food, and toys. If it’s your first time being a pet parent, these coupons are absolute lifesavers!
3 - rescues are known to be healthier!
I have nothing against honest breeders and people who choose to buy instead of adopting. Truly. All dogs need homes and love! However, many dog breeders aim to keep their puppies purebred, and it oftentimes results in puppies with higher levels of inbreeding - which has been linked to a bevy of health issues. Rescue pups are generally super mutts with a wide array of breeds, so they have fewer health risks than many purebreds!
4 - you’re not supporting cruel breeding
Puppy mills are shockingly still a thing, and they make me sick to my stomach. These puppies are not only living in inhumane conditions and treated abhorrently, but they’re also usually sick and killed when they can no longer reproduce. Don’t buy a dog from a pet store or from places like Craigslists with private breeders, especially if they don’t bother to meet you. You’ll most likely end up with a pup with a load of health issues, and your money will go to keeping the vicious cycle going.
5 - DNA guesses and tests are SO MUCH FUN!
I absolutely LOVED trying to guess what Kenobi and Koufax’s main breeds could be. We had so many wild guesses! We purchased Embark DNA tests for both of the boys, and it was SOOO cool to find out what mixes they were. I love sharing with anyone who asks that my all-black Koufax is almost 1/3 Husky and that Kenobi, who looks kind of like a Beagle, is primarily Boxer! Minds are blown, it’s a great conversation topic, and it’s just so frickin’ cool to unravel the mystery of where they came from.
Kenobi’s DNA Results: karinadiscovers.com/blog/2020/10/21/kenobi-dna-test-results
Koufax’s DNA Results: karinadiscovers.com/blog/2021/3/4/koufax-dna-results
Save $40 on Embark Breed + Health by using my Referral Link: https://www.talkable.com/x/XsBVM6
6 - you’re supporting an amazing community
The rescue community is absolutely incredible, and I’m so inspired by the families who take in homeless puppies, show them love, and get them ready for their forever homes. I’m even more inspired by the rescues who take in animals that have been neglected, injured, or are aggressive to give them the medical and emotional care they need! It’s no easy or cheap task, but most rescues are small non-profits who work tirelessly to save amazing dogs and give them homes full of love and support.
7 - you generally know what to expect
Since rescue groups usually have their dogs stay with fosters before they’re adopted, there is someone who can tell you what the dogs are like! Are they good with kids? Other dogs? Are they treat motivated? Smart? Hyper or lazy? Fosters usually work on crate training, pee pad training, and basic commands too! Before we adopted Kenobi and Koufax, we got to read a bit about them and meet them in person beforehand. Cody’s has a 10 day trial period, so you can bring your pup home and see if they’re a good fit! How incredible is that?!
8 - you rescue them. they rescue you.
I used to think it was silly when people would say their rescue dogs rescued them, but I TOTALLY GET IT NOW.
I’ve dealt with depression on and off for most of my adult life and have generally managed it pretty well. Before we adopted Kenobi, I used to have spells where I would feel…nothing. Just absolute nothingness. I knew it was happening but I could do nothing to change my mood. I just had to acknowledge it and manage it until it passed. It would happen every few months and was just a regular part of my life.
I swear to you, since we’ve adopted Kenobi - I have not had A SINGLE FULL DAY like that. I still find myself starting to fall into that familiar pit, but then one of the boys will jump on me, smother me with kisses, and I will have snapped out of it without realizing it. They honestly changed my life without even trying. It makes me emotional typing this out. I thought I would have to deal with it forever, and now I have two of the cutest drug-free remedies. I’m forever grateful to them, and I like to think that we’ve made each other’s lives better!
9 - you could get a cutie like Kenobi!
Rescue pups are a mixed bag of cuteness! Our little Kenobi is so loyal, loving, playful, and snuggly.
10 - you could get a cutie like Koufax!
Koufax is a hilarious little personality with so much energy and love to give!
So stylish!
Do you love Kenobi and Koufax’s style? You can find their collars and bandanas at billywolf.com and save 10% with “kenobi10”!