Advocating the Use of Petfinder.com

Today, I would like to discuss a topic apart from writing and entrepreneurship, Petfinder.com. I completely advocate this website to aid in the search of an adoptable pet. Not only will they provide the closest listed pets to your home area, you can also post a free classified ad to adopt out a pet. I found 2 of my dogs on this website. One, Taz, who was the Manchester, Connecticut's Animal Shelter Pet of the Month back in September 2001, became my beloved Benny.

I already had a gorgeous shepherd - husky cross named Luc. Luc was a gift from my step-mother who went on to love and protect all those in his immediate family circle. He was a true pound puppy as his mother was turned in to the Mansfield, Connecticut Animal Shelter when her owner found she was pregnant. All the puppies, save for Luc, had been adopted. I asked about his mother and she too had found a new home.My parents went to see him on a very hot July day in 1999. Then, they brought him home and my step-mother placed the young puppy in my arms. He was my loyal companion, and hers, until the day he died.

When Luc was two years old, I began searching for a companion dog for him. That is when I saw Taz in a nearby town shelter who resembled Luc. Taz looked so cute and was looking for a second chance. Luc and I went to see him. He was the only German shepherd cross amongst many Pitbulls. I felt sorry for all those Pitbulls, yet could not bring myself to adopt one as I lived alone and did not feel I could stop any potential flare ups between my dogs. Luc was not receptive to a new brother and was quite jealous. I wanted to adopt Taz who was quiet and sweet. So, I persisted for an hour hoping Luc would give Taz a chance. He didn't, so I put Luc in the van and put Taz in the way back.

I went on to have Taz, who became Benny, for 6 more years. In between there I was surfing the Petfinder.com website and found Maxx. Another dog, a full-blooded German shepherd who needed a second chance badly. So, I drove my big 2500 RAM VAN to Putnam, Connecticut near the Rhode Island border. I met Maxx who a woman on welfare had rescued from a man who allegedly left Maxx outside for 2 years with a barrel to live in, tied up and nearly starved. She could not afford him with her other dogs, but had badly wanted to save him.So, we took Maxx home. He was very thin and I took him to the vet that weekend for shots. The vet had an accusing look to me on his health. I said I had just adopted him and that's why he was at the vet.

In 6 months, Maxx did not really ever mind me. He put on weight where eventually he became strong and even jumped my 4'feet chain link fence. I realized he was not happy with me, however, he took to Benny. Luc ignored him. So, after 6 months, I made many phone calls to shelters and eventually, the Westport, Connecticut shelter said they had room. I paid a drop off fee after an hour's drive. He went willingly with the control officer. I asked about his chances of adoption. He said he had just placed out an 8 year old shepherd, so he should be able to adopt out a 2 year old one. I made one follow up call and he was still there. I hated to do it, but Maxx was a liability as I never knew what he would do with strangers in view of his background with the cruel owner in Putnam. I had said good-bye and told Maxx he was now in Fairfield County, Connecticut in the wealthiest state in America. So, after transporting him and taking care of him for 6 months, I hope he went on to a much better life.

I still had Luc and Benny. I also had rescued Tyson a Rottweiler and took in a stray who came into my yard in a snow storm in January 2002. I named my stray Red. It took 3 weeks for Red to be captured by animal control. I decided then and there to adopt Red. I had been putting out food and water in my front yard for 3 weeks and it was gone each morning. Then, one day it was still there and I later found animal control had the big, red dog.

Today, it's just Red and me (Mama) down here in North Carolina. However, if I were to adopt another dog some day, I would definitely turn to Petfinder.com as my first resource.