Adopt Not Shop

Welcome to Wet Nose Chronicles!

This blog is for all dog lovers out there who are looking for insightful information ranging from dog food reviews, health and wellness articles, dog rescue organizations, and much more. Owning a dog is very rewarding, but also comes with a lot of responsibility.

My name is Brittany Newell, I am a student, business analyst, and all around crazy dog lady. Allow me to introduce you to my four legged children, Ella (brindle boxer) and Dakota (white boxer).

Ella and Dakota are both 1 year old boxers. I brought Ella home as a puppy when she was 8 weeks old (a year ago) and Dakota is a rescue that I adopted less than a month ago. After becoming a “rescue mom,” I fully endorse the “adopt not shop” initiative. In other words, all future dogs that come into my home will be from a rescue organization, not a breeder.

As part of my first post, I would like to pay homage to the rescue that I adopted Dakota from and share some helpful information when looking to rescue a dog. The Rescue’s name is Ruff Start Boxer Rescue and you can visit their page by clicking the link. They are located in Wallace, MI, which is in the Upper Peninsula for any of Michigan friends looking to adopt. I promise you they’re worth the drive.

Before being rescued, Dakota was tied to a small chain outside in the freezing cold all day and night. Adopting him gave him the opportunity to sleep in a warm bed and tons of love that many dogs are waiting for the chance to experience. 

For those of you not looking for a boxer or not local,Petfinder is a great website that serves as a database for shelters and rescue organizations to post pictures and information about available pets that are local to you.

Lastly, I have provided a list of things you will want to have before bringing a dog home, I know it sounds rudimentary, but you would be surprised at how helpful a list can be walking into a pet store as the experience can be overwhelming.

-A veterinarian that you trust (if you don’t know one, check out google reviews, I found them to be very helpful when selecting a vet)

-Have an appointment already set up before you bring your dog home to be checked out (be sure to mention your dog is a rescue because many vets will offer a free “rescue check-p”)

-A leash & collar

-Dog Bed

-Dog Food (Try to stick to something with one basic protein, so you can rule out food allergies if necessary)

-A toy that will keep them busy (my recommendations – Red Barn Bully Sticks or Monster Mouth)

-High Value Treats (ex. Chicken Jerky Treats) that you only give 1-2 times a day

-Low Value Treats (ex. Small biscuit that you can use several times a day to reinforce good behavior and use to teach basic commands

-Dog ID Tag with his her name & contact information in the event your dog gets loose

Thank you for reading and be sure to check back for new posts with helpful information on food reviews and other health and wellness topics!

Sincerely,

Brittany