Dogs, a mans best friend. But sometimes it seems this is not the deal for all man around us. Way too often we hear the stories of dogs which are left malnuticioned at in a stinking hot garden tied to a pole with a chain, with hardly any food of water enxt to them. Or same thing, people who leave their dog tied to a tree before they go on holiday because they have no option to heave the dog while they are gone.
Luckily Covid with the less travel situation prevents this last one a little bit from happening. But there are still way too many dogs who are with sh&tty bosses and get stuck in a shelter because of bad behavior (most caused because of the situation they were in. Heartbreaking stories this leaves amongst us!
Pixabay
Why choose for a puppy when there are so many other dogs around us who still need a good home. I know amongst these boards there are also a lot of dog lovers and who are working for a the good cause 
The Dodo
The Dodo has some good stories and movies about rescueing animals and how the process with this goes. Often these dogs are found in really bad shape and peopel are scared of them when they are roaming the streets, often covered in fleas ticks and scabies. They look horrible at that moment, but still a beautiful animal is inside of there most of the time. It just needs the time and effort to get that out again. So with food, deworming, spay and neuture (often the reason to decreases the stray popularity on the streets in general) shampoos and loooots of cookies these animals get socialised and trained with humans and other dogs again.
But not so many people want an shelter dog. Because it has its 'history' and is unpredictable. Yes it often is, and most likely us humans are the cause of that behavior. Why not give a dog a chance when you have an instant click with him?
This is my first rescue dog Boogie. A dog who I took from the shelter while he was found roaming around on the streets. Because of malnutricion he hardly had any hair anymore and it took this sweet lady who found him a couple of weeks to get him back into shape again. At that point I came along and adopted him. He was the coolest dog ever, even though every one was scared of him because of his brindle furry coat, and how he was lying on the floor like a pitbull.
Such a sweet animal. The only thing you would notice on him was the scar on his forehead and he was terrified of electrical sounds. It would make him go bezerk so scared he was of it. Once he ran home for about 1.5 km uphill because he got scared of a scootmobile. I found him at home shivering.
Boogie is currently still happy with his new boss!
This is my current dog Sem, a cross breed as well. Also from an adoption foundation because he was untreatable at his old home. Unbelievable that he was unsuitable for that household and such a delight in my household. I guess he found his new place to stay!
What I mean to say is that there are so many sweet animals who are just not in the right place at the right time. And maybe you dropping by to help one is just a good deal for both of you. And yes, it does take time and yes it does take effort, but it is so rewarding. A dog who is rescued is really so greatfull that you are giving him your love, it is so unconditional.
So when you are thinking on maybe getting a dog. Check out your local shelter first. Or check the interwebz for dogs in your neighborhood who might need a new home. Not always because they have bad manners, but sometimes a person has to go live smaller, and they can not take the dog. Nothing wrong with the animal, but it does need a new home then.
Maybe consider fostering a puppy if you have a couple weeks off. Socialising the animal and letting it get used to humans and the normal world. You might get him trained for his new owner, or you just might up not wanting to give him away anymore.
Give it a shot