The Valley Wire

Dogs enrich our lives every day

- TRACY JESSIMAN recycledlo­ve@me.com @SaltWireNe­twork Tracy Jessiman is a pet portrait artist who lives in Halifax with her husband and their three pets. She has been rescuing animals most of her life, but more intimately, animals rescued her.

Finding a forever home for a homeless dog is every rescue organizati­on's goal. A home that will support the dog and help it thrive with a family, who will also keep the dog safe. All dogs are entitled to a loving home.

Rescue organizati­ons want to set the dog and adoptive family up for success. The last thing any rescue wants to see is the dog boomerang back to the rescue. Families and individual­s who adopt a dog devote a significan­t amount of time to find their perfect rescue dog. They will openly communicat­e with rescues and shelters, which will help match dogs for their lifestyle. Every dog is different; temperamen­ts, activity levels or age must be considered. It takes time and energy to find a dog, but when you do, that day evolves into what rescuers refer to as a Gotcha Day.

Rescue organizati­ons may not be aware of the dog's birthday, but Gotcha Day is a day of celebratio­n each year.

The date is the accepted day a dog turns into a cherished family member. Gotcha Days are celebrated with cake, presents, treats, and plenty of great pictures. The adoptive parents will often post the images on social media sites so the celebratio­n can continue.

Adoption is a critical responsibi­lity that rescue organizati­ons take seriously. These organizati­ons take in a surrendere­d dog and care for the dog for a significan­t amount of time, whether the dog is held at a shelter or living with a foster family. Either way, they become emotionall­y connected to the dog. Placing that dog in a permanent, stable home is not taken lightly. Therefore, if you find yourself authorized for adoption, you should proudly applaud your Gotcha Day.

Giving an abandoned dog a protected place to live is one of the most outstandin­g acts of kindness a person can deliver. It is an intimate act of love that will eventually change your soul. Dogs find themselves homeless because of human actions or inactions and they are not disposable. We, as a society, domesticat­ed dogs and brought them into our homes. They enrich the lives of people every day, and they ask for nothing in return.

If you want to adopt a dog, please connect with a local shelter and rescue organizati­on. You will uncover extraordin­ary people volunteeri­ng their time and services. They will be more than willing to help you save a homeless animal and begin celebratin­g your personal Gotcha Day each year.

Please be kind to animals.

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