“Shelter dogs aren’t broken. They’ve simply experienced more life. If they were human, we would call them wise. They would be the ones with tales to tell and stories to write. The ones dealt a bad hand and responded with courage. Do not pity a shelter dog. Adopt one.”
Elizabeth and I caught this one by accident on a TIVOed show–what a fantastic ad–KSH.
Very nice. I wish there were the same kind of ad for adopting older children. Sometimes it bothers me that adoption language is used for both pets and human beings.
I agree that “adopt” seems somehow inappropriate when used for taking an animal into one’s home, but we seem to be stuck with it.
We acquired an English Springer Spaniel from ESS Rescue and a cat from the local no-kill shelter and are very pleased with them both, but while they are part of our household, they are not our children and not members of our family. We accept full responsibility for their care and well being and for their death, when it comes to that.
Twice have I tried to adopt older sibling groups, I lost the first group of four when the Yankton Sioux tribal council found out they were to be adopted by whites and their maternal uncle stepped forward to adopt them. I thank God for allowing me to be an instrument in returning these wonderful children to their own natural famly. The second group of three were with me for 6 months before they were able to trust me enought to let me know that they each had a relative who wanted them. Again, I thank God I could be an instrument in returning them to family that loved and wanted them.
These children are all grown up now and have done well.
I don’t think T-V ads featuring actual children would be appropriate; these kids are vulnerable to exploitation and their identity needs to be protected.
Frances Scott
Frances,
I presume you mean only that you don’t anthropomorphize your pets? Our long-lived feline was very much one of the family – with a personality that gave every evidence of his sense of moral superiority over the rest of us – right down down to the paw prints on students’ theology essays (in retrospect, I suppose he may have had issues with their critical reasoning) for which my father had to apologize on at least one occasion.
Great ad. After the death last year of our beloved red heeler cross “Freddy”, who we adopted as a stray from near the border of the Navajo Reservation, we adopted a German shepherd cross from the West Albuquerque animal shelter. She took a little work at first, but is now a treasured and loyal member of the family, as well as oft-needed comic relief! Sure, they’re not human, but I don’t hesitate to use these terms for an animal that has brought so much to us.
The Pedigree ads are wonderful — not just this one, but all of them over the past few years. The Pedigree company donates a portion of their dog food sales to animal shelters and rescues. I know that a few rescues in my area have gotten grants from them, so it’s not a gimmick or just a marketing tool.
Rescued dogs can take some work and a lot of reassurance because of their previously unhappy lives but it’s so worth it! I adopted an older Weimaraner from our city animal shelter a couple of years ago and she is such a wonderful dog! It took me about six months to get her properly socialized — she was terrified of everything and everyone, except me — but she has turned into the happiest, most well-adjusted dog! Incredibly smart and so well-behaved, too.
I hope this Pedigree ad works to encourage people to adopt from a shelter. When folks compliment my Morgan Le Fay, I tell them that she came from the shelter and there are always beautiful dogs there waiting for a home. (hint, hint!) ;>)
Teatime,
Calling your dog in at night has got to raise a few eyebrows 🙂
Heh — “Morgan Le Fay” — very very nice. I like Weimeraners immensely.
My own dog is a rescue, only not from the shelter, but from the side of the road as a three-pound, emaciated, no longer standing one-month-old puppy.
He is by far the cutest, handsomest, most charming dog on this earth. And I’ll challenge anyone who wishes to say otherwise to single, hand-to-hand combat!
His name is Brand — a solid, masculine name that also bespeaks his being a brand plucked from the burning.
God has really blessed me.
Frances (#2), I’m afraid that I must to echo Jeremy Bonner’s response to your comment. I’ve always been very careful to refrain from anthropomorphizing my pets, and will admit that I get a little creeped out when I hear the term “pet parent”. Conversely, I also don’t feel quite right being referred to as my dogs’ “owner.” Generally speaking, then, when speaking to the vet’s office or a kennel, etc, I identify myself as being their “person.” Perhaps I am splitting hairs?
Anyway, irrespective of my protestations about anthropomorphizing them – inexplicably – my dogs have always been Jewish. Currently, I have two “Scottish Terrorists”: Maggie (who I acquired on Holy Saturday, and named after Mary Magdalene) and (Mac)Bethany. Maggie is 4 years old and has always been somewhat aloof. Regardless, she is utterly faithful, and tirelessly follows me from room to room when I’m at home, (while keeping a respectful distance). When I’m in the shower, she assumes sentry duty in front of the bathroom door. Without fail. Bethany, on the other hand…Well, like Maggie, I acquired Beth when she was roughly 8 weeks old. She just hit the 1-year mark but still has a bunch of puppy left in her. The big difference between the two is that, Beth made it absolutely clear from the begining that the ‘adoption’ was very much [i]bilateral[/i] – and never allows an opportunity to remind me of that go to waste. A few months ago, I had a job interview on the other side of the country, and my folks kept Beth for me during my 3-day trip. When I arrived at my hotel, I called my mom to make certain Beth hadn’t alienated any of the other animals or mistaken their couch for a chew toy. My mom said their was no need to worry about that, as Bethany had taken up residence by the front door…and with the exception of regularly peering through the glass (presumably looking for me), she had not moved. That was where she stayed for the entire time I was gone. My mom finally just set up a crate at the front door (forcing everyone to enter/leave through the garage).
Back in our own space, it doesn’t make any difference if I’ve been out of the house working for 10 hours, or taking the garbage out for two minutes, I get the same unabashedly effusive greeting whenever I come back in. No [i]human[/i] has ever been [i]that[/i] excited to see me walk through the door…so, perhaps anthropomorphizing would actually be a demotion for them.