Whether pure-bred or mixed, there are dogs being thrown away every day who deserve a good home and would make wonderful pets. Although there's nothing cuter than a young puppy, remember that rescues come in all ages and all sizes. Sometimes an adult dog can make a faster and smoother adjustment to living in a new family, and if you choose wisely they're already house-broken and responsive to direction. Here are some guidelines that will help an adoption succeed:

1. Know your breeds
2. Know the sum of the parts
3. Don't judge a dog on physical appearance
4. Know your limitations
5. Stop the cycle!

Don't judge a dog on physical appearance

Temperament is very important, but difficult to determine from just looking at an animal in a cage. Take the dog out for a long walk, away from the noise and confusion of the kennel. You may find that a frantic dog settles down, or that a quiet dog is really a maniac.

When we first saw Bonnie inside the kennel, she was so nervous her teeth were chattering. However, once we took her outside she quickly recovered her confidence and impressed us with her air of self-possession. In our home she has proven to be a sensitive dog, but not a timid or cowardly one. On the other hand, we walked a handsome collie-husky mix and quickly realized that he was entirely too boisterous and large for us to handle comfortably. Adopting him would have been a disaster.