I have been a dog lover all of my life, and my parents can attest to me begging for a dog for Christmas every year. Finally, when I was 15 years old my dream came true. My parents told me that we would be rescuing a dog from a shelter. We went to go to a local pet shop on an adoption day, and we automatically connected with our newest furry member of the family.

The day that we went to the pet shop, I saw a big van carrying almost 15 dogs in crates. Each dog was different in size, color, and personality. One thing that they all had in common was that sad look in their eyes. Most dogs were shaking in fear and anticipation of finding a family that would love and appreciate them. Dogs are meant to be loved and taken care of; not to be crowded in a shelter with hundreds of other dogs.

ASPCA has stated that there are about 3.9 million dogs that enter shelters every year in the 13,600 animal shelters that exist across the nation. Thirty-five percent of those dogs are thankfully adopted, but thirty-one percent of those dogs are euthanized. No dog should have to lose it's life because a shelter does not have room to hold them. These animals do not have the ability to fight for their own lives, so we must be the ones to do it for them. Although many people adopt, the most popular option for buying a dog is from a breeder.

Adoption is the better option financially and to save the life of a dog who could be put to death.When you buy a dog from a breeder, you can be paying upwards of $3,000, which does not include shots, microchip or fixing. When you partake in an adoption, you may pay $250 or less. This money pays for the dog, shots, the microchip and fixing. In addition, the money is a donation, which will go to the shelter that helps to care for the other dogs still in the shelter. Also, the adoption agency checks each potential home to ensure that the dog will be in a healthy environment. Yes, with adoption, you are often times unaware of the dog’s exact breed and past, but most online websites will give you the best analysis of the dog’s temperament and past experiences.

Many of these dogs have been through abuse or homelessness and have not experienced what it feels like to be in a loving home. In my personal experience, my dog was abused in his past family and was not shown much affection in the household. When we first brought him home, we had to learn his quirks and the fabric of his personality. But, he also learned about our family and what it feels like to be loved. We all learned together how to treat a dog right. In return, we could feel how grateful he was to finally be in a family that loved him more than anything. Over time, we saw him grow from a shy, scared dog into a confident, energetic one. We breathed life into him just as he brought happiness into our home.

The satisfaction that you will feel knowing that you were able to save a dog from a lifetime of despair and welcome him into a home filled with great times, is unmatched. You have the power to change a dog’s life for the better. In return, your dog will show you the most gratitude and love that only a dog owner can understand. So, the next time you or someone you know are considering owning a dog, choose adoption.