Because walking a dog is the greatest antidote to lying in bed and letting your arteries congeal. Either you get up, get dressed and get out or---you know what. So how do you find the dog you want?
I am happy to say that adoption has become so fashionable that when I meet a dog on the street, the human she owns invariably says proudly "she's a rescue." Higher on the scale is "and she comes from a high-kill shelter!" This is a Really Good Thing. Adoption is great--you are saving an animal--and there are millions out there--and you are getting a friend who will never hold a grudge or stop calling. Adopting a cat is wonderful, too, except as they only need a litter box, it might not get you up and out quite as early.
Every breed has a rescue group associated with it and they need homes. Go to www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm to find your favorite dog's rescue group. We did and found our loving friends Nina and Lucky.
While I can't seem to find the exactly comparable group for cats (jump in here folks if you know it), Petfinder at www.petfinder.com is the champion website for finding and adopting any breed of cat, rabbit, bird, horse or pig you are seeking.
Some may come with a little baggage, but really, are you perfect? To quote Peter Mayle's dog, Boy, in A Dog's Life, "to err is human, to forgive, canine." Consider adopting a senior dog: they have manners, don't mind hearing the same stories over and over, and you can teach an old dog new tricks (see healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/02/15/benefits-of-adopting-an-older-pet.aspx for more reasons. They're not old, just retired.
While I can't honestly say sharing your home with a pet is totally carefree, it's a little like children--some trouble and expense but could you imagine life without them?
#retiredinnewyork
#exercisewithdog
#adoptaseniordog
#petfinders
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