Recycled Pets! It's Always Adoption Season

Part One

Regardless of how many times you’ve done it before, bringing home a new dog is always exciting. I did it myself just a few weeks ago, when I finally brought my Sugar—a sweet little boxer mix—home for good.

I was extremely excited, not only at the prospect of bringing home my first new dog in years, but also at being able to perform a rescue in the process. Sugar’s original family decided they could no longer take care of him, and so he was taken in by a foster family until it was approved for him to come live with me. At the time, Sugar was nursing a broken leg—he’s still walking around in a bright green cast, but we’re hoping to have it off soon!

In spite of his sad history, he has the sweetest temperament, and so I was eager to have everything ready for him the minute he walked into my house.

While I was finishing stocking up on all the things I would need for my new baby—food, bed, toys, etc.—it struck me that a column about bringing home a new dog could be both fun and relevant. After all, no matter what time of year it is, it’s always adoption season!

This column, and the next, will give a brief overview of the things you will need for a new dog and how you can find “green” versions of each item.

Since there is so much to do in preparation for a new dog, we’ll divide this column up over a couple of weeks to make the reading easier.

So, to begin!

I could probably write a list of at least a hundred items when thinking about what one needs for a new dog. However, to save time, I came up with what I consider to be the most important. These items will need to be on hand before your dog even enters your house. 

• Food

• Collar and leash

• Bed

• Toys, especially if you are bringing home a puppy

The first thing to decide is where to go for all these items. Being a small-business owner myself, I think it is very much in the spirit of going green to support the local scene by shopping at independent pet stores. That’s why I consulted Pet Emporium, one of the only independent pet stores in the area, located just down the street from me in beautiful Mount Pleasant.

William Warren, whose father, Bud, owns the store, was happy to help me out with some advice, which you’ll find sprinkled throughout this column.

I’ve decided to reserve the part one of this column to talk about food, simply because choosing the right food is one of the most daunting tasks about adopting a new dog. There are hundreds of options out there, and they all claim to bring something unique to the table. I have been equally at a loss in the past when food shopping, so I asked William for some advice on organic and all-natural dog foods this time around. He recommended three different choices for me.

• Grandma Mae’s Country Naturals

“It uses chicken as a protein source, it’s all natural, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, it’s in an affordable price range,” William told me. “No by-products, no fillers.”

This product is on the very affordable end of organic foods, which is a definite plus.

This food is recommended for dogs of all sizes and breeds, but William suggested it might not be the best suggestion if your dog is experiencing skin problems.

“It’s a lower content of omega 3/omega 6 fatty acids,” he explained. “Those promote optimum skin and coat health.”

• Nutrisource

William recommended this line because, on top of using all-natural ingredients, it offers both grain-free and potato-free formulas.

“Potatoes are high on the glycemic index, and potatoes can be traced to urinary tract problems, skin problems, ear infections, and more because of their yeast-friendly nature,” William said.

This food is safe for dogs of all sizes and breeds. William especially recommended it for brachycephalic dogs—dogs with pushed in faces, like pugs. He said the potato-free formula can help alleviate gas problems in dogs, which are often found in brachycephalic dogs because of their tendency to gulp down air with their food. It is also a great food for large dogs that tend to have joint problems because it contains extra glucosamine, a substance that helps keep joints lubricated.

• Lotus

William recommended this all-natural food because it is cooked by baking instead of extrusion, unlike many other dog kibbles. Baking is a longer process and allows the food to keep more flavor in without the use of additives. It derives its protein from chicken duck, or lamb.

Again, this product is safe for all dogs. However, if you passed on the Grandma Mae’s because your dog has skin problems, this may be the food for you.

“I recommend duck formulas especially for dogs with skin problems,” William advised. “Duck is a fattier bird and so it gives more fatty acids for the skin and coat without the smell of fish.”

After sampling a few food choices, my Sugar chose Nutrisource and seems quite content with his selection.

Do you have a fond memory of bringing your dog home the first day? What did you forget that you wish you had put on the all important list of items to have on hand Day One? We’d love to hear your comments!

Sharon Harvey is owner of Charleston Naturally an eco-chic boutique specializing in natural, organic and sustainable products and gifts for home, pets, baby and beauty located online at www.CharlestonNaturally.com and 918 Lansing Drive Mt. Pleasant, SC.