Unwanted

None of our special needs dogs were adopted this week. I was really surprised, and really sad. These special needs dogs are all so sweet and they need someone to love them! Why doesn't anyone want them??? I think this will be the hardest part of volunteering for a dog rescue organization - not dealing with the dogs, but the people. Its not always easy to foster - the dogs require a lot of time and attention, and they chew things they shouldn't, they have accidents in the house, they don't always behave like I wish they would. But they bring so many rewards -- unwavering love and affection, loyalty and devotion. They just want to love someone and be loved in return. They don't judge, or hold grudges, or place blame. And they don't go holding out for the perfect owner - they accept their person, even with all their faults and shortcomings, just as they are. That's why I'll always prefer to deal with dogs instead of people. These special needs dogs we have - they aren't much different than other dogs. I got to spend a few hours with them at PetSmart on Saturday, and they were all such good, well-behaved dogs. I don't understand why they haven't been adopted. I know there are many people out there who care about these dogs and have adopted their own rescued dogs. But there are so many more who only care that they get a dog that will scare away intruders, or be a hunting dog, or keep their kids entertained. These are not bad reasons to want a dog, but if you only think of the dog as a possession and what it can do for you, you're going to make a poor dog owner, and miss out on a lot of joy that comes with truely loving a pet. I ran across a post on a web-site which I think explains it rather well:

Note to adopters: Lassie and Cleo and Rin Tin Tin and Toto don't show up in rescue. We don't get the elegantly coiffed, classically beautiful, completely trained, perfectly behaved dog. We get the leftovers. Dogs that other people have incompetently bred, inadequately socialized, ineffectively "trained," and badly treated. Most Rescue dogs have had it. They've been pushed from one lousy situation to another. They've never had proper veterinary care, kind and consistent training, or sufficient company. They've lived outside, in a crate, or in the basement. They're scared, depressed and anxious. Some are angry. Some are sick. Some have given up.
But we are Rescue and we don't give up. We never give up on a dog. We know that a dog is a living being, with a spirit and a heart and feelings. Our dogs are not commodities, things, or garbage. They are part of sacred creation and they deserve as much love and care and respect as the next Westminster champion. So please, please don't come to rescue in the hopes of getting a "bargain," or indeed of "getting" anything. Come to Rescue to give, to love, to save a life -- and to mend your own spirit. For Rescue will reward you in ways you never thought possible. I can promise you this -- a rescue dog will make you a better person.
-excerpt from http://www.midwestbloodhoundrescue.com/11%20Newsline.htm