Page 8 - Boca Expsoure - November '20

Page 8, Boca Exposure
Ready, Set, Adopt!

Now Is the Time For Dog Lovers To Take The Step

By Tina K. Valant. A lifelong animal lover, Tina is a confirmed adds to your well- to avoid being bitten? Can you all respect a dog’s personal space?
dog-o-holic, with over four decades of experience in rescue, being in many ways. My suggestion is to opt for a young adult dog.
training, pet assisted therapy, nutrition, fostering, rehabbing, The unconditional Puppies require lots of time, energy, patience and training.
rehoming, et al. A 30-year resident of Boca Raton, mom to a love of a dog Personality traits are known at 9 to 12 months of age. Bonus: At
rescued menagerie, she was named “Animal Friend of the Year” companion for seniors that age, the dog is done teething, is house- and leash-trained.
by the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners. Another adds immeasurably Your rescued dog is going to bond with you when you care for
notable hobby of Tina’s is raising and releasing 10 types of native to their emotional it; treat it with kindness and uphold boundaries. Don’t think this
butterflies. When she’s not playing with animals (and insects), this health and happiness. happens only with puppies.
award-winning photographer is an author, speaker and mental For children in a Breeder, Rescue Or Shelter?
health advocate. She can be reached at www.TinaKValant.com. family, growing up I am a lifetime proponent of “adopt, don’t shop.” That being
With most of us having spent the past year largely spent in with one or more dogs said, one of my best rescue pals breeds and shows Aussies –
self-quarantining, and science experts telling us not to expect teaches them a sense Tina gets a kiss from a sweet fella Australian Sheep Dogs. The time, energy and expense involved
the pandemic to ease up until at least mid- or late 2021, this is of responsibility, in recently surrendered from a hoarder as a longtime, knowledgeable, reputable breeder is staggering.
a good time to consider what psychologists and other health addition to providing situation. She fostered him, learning Her puppies are spoken for prior to birth. Not everyone who can
professionals have long known: bringing a pet into your home the joy that comes with all his quirks, likes, dislikes, and then afford one of her pups gets one. She carefully screens prospects,
a loving and eager found him the perfect family. She was and has a contract that if the dog cannot be cared for, it must be
four-legged playmate. just given two more to rehab and returned to her.
The Singles Scene from page 7 With that in mind, place. Photo credit: “Extraordinary Do you have your heart set on a specific breed? Plan on
here is a guide to some Photography” by Tina Valant spending $1,000, plus, plus. Thoroughly investigate in-state
time of this publication but do opt in and call today if you are things you should keep reputable breeders. Do your research! Visit. Some show/breeders
tempted to do so. Revolution Dating is love, life and laughter in mind once you have decided to take that step for yourself and retire young dogs, and are looking for companion homes.
as you can see in the faces of these fabulous people! Call 561- those you love. Avoid temptation. do not enter puppy stores. The majority
630-XOXO (9696) to begin your revolution of love. End 2020 First, I will assume that you have always loved dogs. (if not all) of their inventory is from out-of-state puppy mills.
on a high note! All calls and inquiries are confidential. A LIVE But you didn’t have the time, energy, finances; your living When you buy from them, you support misery, and risk genetic
Matchmaker is standing by seven days a week! Call. Meet. situation didn’t allow pets, or the time wasn’t right. Your kids defects, high vet bills and heartbreak. Caveat emptor – buyer
Mingle. #SingleWannaMingle have been begging for a dog, and are old enough (ages 5 and beware.
up) to take on some responsibility. Breed-specific Rescue Groups. Aside from saving a life,
Fast forward. Any above concern has been alleviated. You’re there are multiple benefits from choosing this route. Almost
ready to open your heart and home. Set yourself up for success every breed has a rescue organization. Most reputable rescues
with this paw-to-heart conversation. have dogs in foster homes for three to six weeks. They know the
How much preparation, money, time, and energy does it dog, its medical condition, quirks, and the best type of home for
really take to have a dog? First, the hard questions. Be honest: each individual. Listen to them. Adoption fees for a rescued dog
• Are there pet restrictions (breed, mix, weight) where you live? average $175 to $300. They have been medically checked out,
• Rain or shine, can you devote at least 90 minutes per day to spayed/neutered, microchipped, and are up-to-date on shots.
feeding, walking, cleaning, grooming, playtime, etc? Your rescued new family member is primed to join the right
• Is there a designated area in your home for the dog’s bowl, household.
crate and bed? Are your home/yard safe, in the sense that you Other Shelters. Some shelters offer no-cost adoptions, but
can prevent your dog from running away or getting onto a they sometimes experience a high return rate. Free has little to
Male Seeking Female! James neighbor’s property? no value if the dog runs away, gets injured, etc. Strays, owner
is a Senior Project Manager. • Have you set aside a minimum of $1,000 annual budget for surrenders, and dogs bailed out from animal control can be found
He joined Revolution Dating a small/medium-sized dog? This does not include emergency at shelters and local humane societies. Most of the time, their
after hearing about it for care. A bigger dog requires more food, more space, longer walks, history is unknown. The dog could have been returned multiple
years. He doesn’t “need” bigger scooping, more exercise equals more expense. times, be an escape artist, have injured/killed another pet, have
a dating service as you Female Seeking Male! Charity • Who will watch your dog if you go on a trip? In case of health, bite or aggression issues. Is that a wheel you want to spin?
can see...he wanted to meet is an Owner/Operator of a hurricane evacuation? If you are unable to properly care for and Unless you have taken canine behavior and/or training classes,
sincere women who have Medical Spa. She joined the provide for your dog, or if you “expire,” what happens? Is there and are up for a challenge, stick to a local reputable rescue.
a good heart and he trusts club because she wanted to someone else you can depend upon to love and care for your dog? Bottom line: The right dog is out there, dreaming of you. Be
THE Florida Matchmaker meet quality men outside of How dog-savvy are you and/or your kids? patient. Understand that this is a process. Fill out an application
to make it happen. her circle! I’m always amazed at people’s lack of dog skills, or first. Email a copy to yourself. Unless requested, do not call or
unwarranted fear of dogs. Do you or your kids know how to email the rescue. Do your due diligence – it pays off in the long
correctly approach a dog? Ask permission from the owner to run. Remember, most rescues are run by us volunteers.
interact? Know polite, dog-welcome body language and sounds Best wishes, and bark if I can be of assistance!

Male Seeking Female! Marty
Female Seeking Male. is retired and loving life.
Jill is a Biotech Support Marty joined Revolution
Administrator. Jill joined Dating to weed through the
Revolution Dating because good the bad and the best!
she was ready to be serious He knows this club is a Men
about finding someone Magnet loaded with beautiful
special. quality women.

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