When we think about adopting a dog we generally think about getting one that looks cute, or is a purebred dog or we tend to want to adopt a puppy. While these are all great dogs to adopt there are many small dogs waiting to be adopted. These small dogs for adoption are usually found lost and abandoned. Some have been given by their owners for various reasons to shelters.

These small dogs that have been given into various animal shelters have all the adorable looks of a puppy. Their small size makes them perfect as companions for children and people who live in small homes.

You know there are benefits to dog ownership - especially since they drag you away from your computer to be walked every day. But did you know that cats are natural healers too? There is something about the tactile stimulation of warm fur and the rhythm of a contented purr that has a positive effect on blood pressure, pulse, and breathing frequency. The results of these tests are surprisingly similar to the body's condition after deep meditation.

[While I am writing this article, my hubby, Laurence, is in my "cat room" - setting up a large used crate that a friend gave me. I am fostering some felines from the Greater Sudbury Animal Shelter. His hobby is books, mine is cats. It works.]

 There are many of you who have wanted to bring a dog home as a pet. There are different ways that you can go about this business of choosing a dog but you may want to think about the various needs a dog requires before you consider dog adoptions as being the right thing to do.

When you are thinking about dog adoptions you will need to see what type of dog you want to have. You will need to consider if this dog will be happy with your home and your lifestyle. This is important as some dogs are really suited for patrolling large compounds and other types of dogs love to have nice long walks.

Winter is coming to a close and you wait in anticipation as spring draws nearer, because with the advent of spring summer's not that far away. It's a mixed blessing however, since during the long winter months your work at the animal shelter can only be considered as slightly insane. With summer on the way though, you and your coworkers will have your work cut out for you. That's the time when your "only slightly insane" workload turns into the full fledged pull-out-your-hair kind of insanity.

 While we love the idea of having pets in our homes and lives few of us are prepared for the various changes that must be implemented for these animals to live with us. When this happens many people will just abandon their pets. Sometimes this happens when the pet loses it baby appeal or when the novelty of having a pet has worn off. Regardless of the reason these pets eventually find their way to an animal shelter.

These animal shelters have been created to deal with the many animals and pets that are discarded once their human owners have gotten tired of having them around. The trained staff at the animal shelter will look after the animals that are found on the streets. Their health will be seen to by the vets at the animal shelter and once they have been checked out health wise, they will be cleaned up and groomed.

If you are thinking of adding a feline to your family, consider adopting a cat from your local animal shelter or humane society. The animals have been carefully screened for adoptability and have usually been worked with to enhance sociability.

Unfortunately, many people think that only "bad" animals wind up in shelters. Actually, the opposite is true. People relinquish their pets to shelters when they are no longer able to care for them. Sometimes this is because the owner was unprepared for the responsibility that comes with caring for a pet.

If there is no indication of 'reason for surrender' on the cage at the shelter ask - a cat that has been given up because of bad behaviour may not be the best choice - no matter how cute she is.

Ginger (a.k.a. "Redpuss") is a half-ginger, half white, 12-year-old tom who suffered some bad health problems last year, including cat flu, 6 rotten teeth (with accompanying toothache) and associated chronic infection, a septic lip, ear mites, skin allergies and a heart murmur. His story is documented at the Help Save Ginger page (http://www.just-pet-cats.com/help-save-ginger.html), if you'd like some background information. You may have already read my previous article about him and how a number of generous people donated funds to cover his vet bills.

There are many of you who have wanted to bring a dog home as a pet. There are different ways that you can go about this business of choosing a dog but you may want to think about the various needs a dog requires before you consider dog adoptions as being the right thing to do.

When you are thinking about dog adoptions you will need to see what type of dog you want to have. You will need to consider if this dog will be happy with your home and your lifestyle. This is important as some dogs are really suited for patrolling large compounds and other types of dogs love to have nice long walks.