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We bought our first dog, a pure breed, for $1,000 at a pet store. This dog was incredibly whiny, disobedient, and hard to handle. Friends of ours adopted their two dogs from the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (SPCA) for $100 each. Their dogs were housebroken, gentle, and very well trained, and we were envious of their luck. Plus, the SPCA had already spade both their pets at no extra cost, and our dog was not neutered, we would have to pay for that ourselves.

After a couple months discussion of looking for a new pet, we decided to scope out the SPCA as well, knowing the benefits our friends had from getting their dogs from there. Our experience was great. We already had another dog, plus we had a young child as well. The SPCA tests all animals before allowing them to be adopted for compatibility with other dogs, cats, and children. So, we got a list of all the dogs compatible with other dogs and children. Then, we visited every dog that matched the list of compatibility. We visited with a couple of older dogs, but decided to look at the dogs within a couple years old to have a more playful companion for our son.

When we met "Lucy" in the visiting room, she ran directly into my lap, wagged her tail, and gave me a huge kiss. She seemed excited to visit with us and played with the few toys that were available. She had been spade only days before and was up to date on all her vaccines, plus she came with three months of heart worm medication. It was almost a given that she was the dog for us. After some routine paperwork to make sure we were legitimate about adopting, we had a new member of the family. We decided almost immediately to rename her Ember due to her red fire coloring.

After getting her home, she proved to be a great companion. She loves attention, getting petted, getting brushed, and running around. We take her to the dog park, and on walks. The only concerns we had with her is that she was two years old when we adopted her, and had never been properly trained. She is not completely housebroken, she doesn't know how to walk on a leash well, and we don't know if she has ever been abused. But she never barks or fights with other dogs, she rarely whines, and she is crate trained very well. She has learned sit but struggles with other commands. She is a great dog, and always very happy and eager to be a part of the family. And our other pet store bought dog? We ended up giving him to a family that was able to handle him better.

Adopting a dog from a rescue league has been, for us, better than buying a dog from a pet store. It was easier to see her attitude and how she would act around the family. It almost feels as though she knows that we saved her, and is almost grateful to have a real family that she can call her own.

Learn more about this author, Elizabeth Kelley.
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