Listen into the chatter of our home and you are likely to hear the catchy chorus of Richard Berry’s 1955 hit song “Louie Louie…oh yeah… we gotta go” drifting through the air. Just three weeks ago we made the decision to become a family of four with the adoption of our first dog, “Louie,” a year old black and gray Schnoodle, from Atlanta Pet Rescue.
I grew up with a long line of Schnauzers and have fantastic memories of our dogs as a child, so I naturally wanted to extend the same delight to my two young children. Because we had lived a nomadic lifestyle , moving from Japan to the US frequently for the last ten years, our dreams for pet ownership was just that- a dream. Everything changed when a career change also led to becoming a first time homebuyer. Finally, no longer at the mercy of landlords, pet deposits and moving, it was time to find the perfect pet! As some in our family suffer with allergies and other “issues” it was easy to narrow down that we were seeking a hypoallergenic dog. We did our research, talked to friends and overwhelmingly were encouraged to consider Atlanta Pet Rescue in our search.
At first I was surprised with the intensity of the application process that Atlanta Pet Rescue requires. They don’t reserve/hold pets and they require an interview with all of us present. I thought, “If these animals need a home why not just give them away without all the fanfare”. The perception didn’t change much when we applied for a puppy and after review was asked to consider an adult dog, due to my work hours.
Finally, after months of waiting for the right dog that met my seemingly endless wish list, I spotted “GG” on the APR website, rushed to get the kids out of school early, and go for the interview process. When we arrived we were greeted by helpful and cheerful volunteers. The place was amazingly clean and the process was very organized. One of the volunteers took the time to get to know the personality of our family- all with the goal of matching our wish list and chemistry with a dog that would be a great match. Everyone I encountered at Atlanta Pet Rescue was passionate about the care of the animals in their keep. I finally understood why they held to the policies they have!
“GG” now “Louie” has become a happy member of our family. He came to us crate-trained, house broken, micro-chipped and APR even equipped us with a collar, leash and a bag of Red Bandana Pet food! He even came trained to sit and shake. Now he is training us to bark less and wag more!
Sydna Worthington, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International agent, as well as a volunteer with Atlanta Pet Rescue, was one of the people who added to my decision to check out this no-kill shelter. She is a pet lover as well, with four dogs, two of which were rescue dogs. She loves the time she spends at the shelter. The giving of hugs and getting grateful kisses from the dogs she walks puts a smile on her face for days!
To find out more about adopting a pet or volunteering your time visit their site at: www.atlantapetrescue.org