Mighty Mutts

You are an individual, you shop for things to help you define your individuality, you are a combination of infinite factors resulting in a unique person. Why not have a dog that's just as much of a one of a kind as you?

No two mutts are the same, even if they come from the same parents. Dominant and recessive traits flash in unique patterns resulting in a snowflake-esque plethora of canine companions. In this way, the dog becomes more closely interwoven with you because you know, no matter how long you live, you will never see another just like yours.

You can't label them shepherds, you can't label them setters, you can't label them terriers. You call them friend, you call them family.

Many purebreeds are very susceptible to a huge variety of hereditary disorders. The exclusive breeding within these breeds only amplifies the rate and severity of this particular ailments.

While mixed-breeds can exhibit these same disorders, they are usually less severe. This is because mixing genes, the strengths and weaknesses, of different breeds strengthens the gene pool as a whole.

Buying a purebreed can be extremely expensive. Granted, there are some people who buy dogs as show dogs and are able to make money by entering them in competitions and using them as breeding dogs. But for most people, companionship is the reason for dog ownership. And for most people the price tag for companionship is quite steep.

Mutts, on the other hand, are plentiful and cost effective. Adoption from a shelter generally costs around $60-100 including spaying/neutering and shots. Compared to dogs who have prices ranging in the thousands, mutts are a steal.

Of course, I can't say that you won't want to pamper your new pooch with showers of gifts and treats and toys. I know I love to.

Every day, thousands of dogs are euthanized (humanely killed)in shelters because homes cannot be found for them. That's over a million a year. These are dogs who die homeless and unloved. The majority of these are mixed-breed dogs.

These dogs are unique, their specific recipe never to exist on this planet again. They are snowflakes slowly melting on the tips of our noses without us realizing it.

Next time you want a dog, consider taking a trip to the shelter instead of the pet shop. Save a life and enrich your own.

In September of 2002, I was sick one evening. I was light-headed and half asleep when my family returned from going "out to eat." They came into my room and I peered at them through fuzzy eyes. My sister set something on the bed beside me. Reaching out, I felt a warm, furry, ball curled up next to me. It was my first dog since my lifelong friend and companion had died a few years prior.

She was a runt but we named her Angel. As best as could be told, she had some Labrador in her, but I don't even try to unravel her mystery. I like her best as my baby girl. I call her Bardimest Juje (Bar-duh-must jooj) and she lives a very happy life making me and my family happy. She enjoys chasing birds, deer, and other creatures that tend to happen upon my back yard. She pecks the door knob with her nose when she needs to go outside.

She is one of the most precious things in my life.