Pet adoption touches the heart

To the editor:
I read with much enjoyment Rachel’s article on adopting a dog from the Brunswick County Animal Shelter. Our Decision Day was last August when my wife and I agreed to let our daughter get a dog.
Before that I had it made—a lovely family with grandchildren and a great black Lab that lived just next door to us, which I could pet, give treats and play with.
When we picked Gidget up last September we didn’t know how the household would change. It was soon filled with all the equipment needed to raise a puppy from food trays and bedding to toys.
Gidget was a tiny bundle of fur that slept all the way home. In 10 months she has grown into a 60-pound dog. The house has doorways blocked with baby gates unless we want to chase her to get a shoe or other possessions back. Gidget has attended several training classes and is undergoing post grad work (private training) to remind her she is a pet, not leader of the pack.
The article struck a nerve in how I now look at the dogs I see at the shelters and pet stores.
I now find it difficult to visit the adoption areas knowing one particular animal can own you. For now Gidget is all we can handle. My daughter has confessed if she were to do it again she would get a pet from a shelter.
From my observations I know there are many fine animals waiting for adoption.
Bill Allison
Oak Island