Throwaway.

I am looking into getting a dog later this year.  I want a puppy and at this stage I’m not looking to get a dog from a rescue.  People that get pound puppies are admirable but I don’t feel like it’s the right choice for me at this time.  I have lots of pro-adoption friends who see this “lack of conscience” on my part as “evil” but I’m of the opinion that I am the one getting the dog and therefore what dog I get or don’t get is up to me.  I can’t help, however, but feel a bit guilty after having discussions with them.

The reasons that I do not (at this stage) want to get a shelter dog because of possible underlying health and/or behavioural issues.  My partner and I have a cat and we worry about a dog coming in and attacking the cat.  My parents had a shelter dog for a few years who they adopted from the shelter who ended up one day attacking and eating their cat.  She also had other behavioural issues and was a loving, but difficult dog.  Due to this, if we were to get a dog from a shelter it would have to be a young puppy.

I would prefer to buy a puppy from a reputable breeder and I have been actively looking into what breed best suits my partner and my living situation.  I’ve been very critical about what kennels I inquire about and I am being careful not to be tricked by puppy farms.

When I relay that reasoning to my pro-adoption friends they scoff at me and tell me that “that is no reason not to get a shelter dog!!” and how I’m going to spend “thousands of dollars on a dog when there are unwanted dogs in the pound right now!!!”

So AITA for not getting a dog from a shelter?

