Pooches Seeking Forever-Families

Are you looking for the perfect pup to complete your family?

If you need some fur in your life, head to the Humane Society of Harford County's Adopt-A-Thon at PetSmart in Dundalk, MD (1559 Merritt Boulevard) Nov. 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., not only to find the perfect friend to bring unconditional love into your home, but also to do an amazing deed—save a life.

This is the perfect occasion to look for your new dog, it will be festive and fun and the Humane Society promises that “adoptions counselors will be on hand to answer your questions and help you find a love match.”

According to the ASPCA, "approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and approximately 3 million to 4 million are euthanized.” Animal shelters are chronically overpopulated and underfunded by pure nature of the fact that there are just too many homeless animals out there.

An unfortunate stigma is attached to rescue dogs—that they have been abandoned because they are bad, untrainable, unlovable, ill, or just plain shabby. But the honest truth is, no matter what you are looking for in a dog, you can find it in a shelter dog.

If you are looking for a puppy, you can find one in a shelter. If you are looking for a house trained dog, you can find one in a shelter. If you are looking for a purebred, you can find one at a shelter!

Did you know that 25 percent of shelter dogs are purebreds? There are even more flawless family dogs in shelters today because the economy has forced so many owners to give up their dogs simply because they can no longer afford to care for them.

In the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you that I have a particular bias in this situation, because one of my best friends in the world came from the Harford County Humane Society. His name is Sampson.

We adopted him last fall, and he just turned two-years-old, Oct. 20. Sampson is a boxer, and the biggest clown you could ever meet. When he became a part of our family, he was housetrained, knew how to sit, and how to give you his paw.

He is a perfect gentleman on a leash, and soaks up love like a 75-pound sponge. Sampson is the best hugger in the world; he always knows when you’re sad and need a big warm boxer hug. He sleeps in my lap when we watch TV and plays with my 23-pound beagle with the utmost care.

Sampson has always been completely healthy and doesn’t have an aggressive bone in his body, not towards people, and not towards dogs.

Are you looking for any of those qualities in a dog? Do you want a warm, fuzzy friend to hug when you’re sad, to remind you that there’s always time enough in life to play, and to love you absolutely, positively, no matter what? Then you should head down to the Dundalk PetSmart this Saturday and open you heart to someone who really needs your love.