i can't even look for a dog without crying

i desperately want a dog and have been doing tons and tons of research on breeds and care and such...i decided that i want to adopt an older dog from my local shelter but i can't even look at pictures and read their stories without crying.

how am i ever going to walk into a shelter and adopt only ONE dog?

the worst is that i want to volunteer but i'm afraid of how attached i'll get and come home crying everytime.

like how can i not take this girl home after reading how she was poorly she'd been treated and yet somehow is still so friendly???


or am i crazy?

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

OMG she looks soooo cuuute!!

you arent crazy... we felt the same way when we went to pick out hershey!!

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

No I always feel that way too - but what makes me feel better is thinking that whoever you DO choose - you changed their life and made it 1000 times better by accepting them into your family! And there are lots of other people around the world are doing the same thing!

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

No...you're not crazy. It's so hard when there are so many to choose from.

When we adopted our dog...we walked through the shelter reading the cards, looking at all their faces, letting them sniff out hands...but non touched us like the one we adopted. He was in the last room and he just melted my heart. It really is like they choose YOU.

Good Luck...you can do it. And you will make a big difference in the life of a shelter dog

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

what a beautiful pittie!!! you could always foster dogs and when you find the right one, adopt it!

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

I know exactly how you feel We can only do our part to help = and whatever that is, no matter how big or small, we are helping. Even saving one life is a big deal. Good luck.

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

I completely understand. Both of our dogs are adopted...if we had the room, I wish we could adopt more! I would love to volunteer at a shelter as well, but I don't think I could handle it either.

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

I am in tears thinking about it.

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

I've been thinking myself that it would be easier to have two dogs instead of one. A friend of mine did just that - he adopted two Labs, sisters, at the same time. They are each other's best friends, each other's playmates.

I know what you mean about their stories. If you express an interest in that pup you posted, maybe you could wait in a different area and they could bring her to you? So you could spend some time with her and not be distracted from the other dogs?

It's natural to want to help them all. I also think it's great that you're doing your research ahead of time to make sure you can handle a dog in your life.

She's beautiful.

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

you're not crazy you're an animal lover! Maybe you should go to the ASPCA and they match a dog with you so you dont have to walk through the kennels.

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

This is why I decided not to be a vet. I worked at a wildlife rehab center for one summer, and was traumatized every time a little bird would die. It is understandable to want to save them all! Obviously, I would recommend going to a no-kill shelter. At least then you know that hopefully anyone who you don't pick will one day find a good home. Many shelter workers are animal lovers, so if you voice your concerns and tell them what kind of dog you are looking for, I would think they would be able to set you up and bring dogs that might match your criteria in to meet you.

Good luck

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

thanks for all of your responses everyone!

greeny and suz - my girl, abby, is at the shelter in my town, which is the largest no-kill shelter in the tri-state area and i'm going to start volunteering there this weekend! i'm so excited!

i'm going thru a crazy transition in my life so i can't bring her home just to move her again but i'm so excited that soon i will be taking one of those cuties home

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

Posted by DirtyBlonde

thanks for all of your responses everyone!

greeny and suz - my girl, abby, is at the shelter in my town, which is the largest no-kill shelter in the tri-state area and i'm going to start volunteering there this weekend! i'm so excited!

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

I attempted to volunteer at north shore. I went and took the tour and I came home already wanting to take home this one dog...my husband told me there is no way I could do it and he's right. I would've taken them home. I wish I could've helped but my heart would've been broken:(

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

I cant go into the shelters. I always feel so bad for the animals. I donated some things to the shelter before the holidays and then I did the lady asked if I wanted to go in and see the animals. I could not do it. I knew that if I did I would want to take them all home.

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

DH and I went to NSAL in December 2007 with the intent of getting a new pup for my MIL, since her dog had recently passed away. There was a 10 week old American Pittbull there who was trying to play with everyone who walked by her cage. Every single person (and you probably know how crowded it gets on the weekends) walked past her once they saw her breed, not even paying one iota of attention to her. I kept watching and she finally gave up and just layed down looking defeated. It absolutely broke my heart.

That's how MIL ended up with this cutie...(who by the way is the sweetest dog!)

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying

I hear you! DH and I are about to begin our adoption search this weekend . I already have a feeling it is going to be difficult. Just thinking about seeing the dogs, there hopeful staresll, and have to pass until DH & I both give the thumbs up has me. I've been looking on www.BoxerAngelsRescue.com & petfinder and its been rather hearthbreaking to see so many animals who need a home .

Re: i can't even look for a dog without crying