I just want to remind everyone that the official kickoff of American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month has begun. It’s a great time to adopt a rescue dog or help out by volunteering your time at a shelter.

Send me in your dog’s rescue story, using the ‘Bark Back‘ form, and if I feature it on the blog you will win 50 zealies.

You can become a hero to a dog this October by observing and celebrating the American Humane Association’s Adopt-A-Dog Month® event. Millions of dogs in shelters are facing an uncertain fate, and many more are joining them each day due to the effects of the recession on pet owners. But there are simple steps each of us can take to make a difference in these dogs’ lives.

Save the day for a homeless dog — and find a faithful companion who will be at your side for all of life’s adventures — by adopting a dog from a shelter or breed-rescue group during October. It’s the perfect time to visit the shelter, meet potential sidekicks and discover how much fun and happiness a dog can add to your life.

Companionship, improved physical and emotional health, social interaction and devoted love are just a few of the super-size benefits of having a dog. Dogs also encourage people to exercise, enhance family and social relationships, promote laughter and act as a nonjudgmental audience and sounding board.

Bringing a dog into your home is a lifetime commitment (the dog’s lifetime, that is) and can require immense lifestyle adjustments for everyone in the family. If you aren’t ready to adopt, but still want to make a difference for homeless dogs, here are some other ways to celebrate Adopt-A-Dog Month:

Volunteer: Shelters and rescue groups are always looking for dependable people who can help in almost any way. Are you good at taking pictures or working on websites? Offer to take appealing photos of adoptable dogs and post them on the organization’s website. Do you have a way with words? Volunteer your time to help edit the organization’s newsletter or website. We all have something to offer; we just need to ask how we can help!

Support: While financial support is always welcome, your donation of blankets, toys, dog food and volunteer time are just a few of the things you can offer homeless dogs in your community. You can also make contributions to help fund grants that are available to community shelters and rescue groups through American Humane’s Second Chance Fund and its Foreclosure Pets Grant. These grants help abused, neglected, abandoned or relinquished pets and are funded entirely by donations, so your support goes directly to help these animals get the care they need to survive.

“Right now there is a greater need than ever for people to go to a shelter and find their new best friend,” said Marie Belew Wheatley, American Humane president and CEO. “The nation’s economy is negatively impacting community shelters and rescue organizations, filling them to capacity many times over. This October, we hope people will renew their commitment to help these animals that are so in need of forever homes.”

We’re only a couple weeks away from the start of American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month.  It’s important to help them get the word out about how great rescue dogs are.

Want to be a Superhero?

Rescue a Shelter Dog … and Get a Loyal Sidekick for All of Life’s Adventures

You can save the day for a homeless dog — and find a faithful companion who will be at your side for all of life’s adventures — by adopting a dog from your local shelter or breed-rescue group during American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month® in October.

Adopting a dog is a heroic feat that’s easy to perform, and animal shelters and breed-rescue groups are filled with amazing dogs: large, small, mixed breeds, even purebreds. In fact, millions of loyal, lovable dogs are surrendered to our nation’s animal welfare organizations every year because their owners simply couldn’t take care of them anymore. Now they’re homeless — and just waiting for a hero like you!

During Adopt-A-Dog Month, we encourage you to visit your local shelter or breed-rescue group, meet potential sidekicks and discover the many super-size benefits of having a dog: happiness, companionship, improved physical and emotional health, and devoted love. Dogs also encourage people to exercise, enhance family and social relationships, promote laughter and act as a nonjudgmental audience and sounding board. Now that’s super!

American Humane works year-round to support animal welfare organizations, promote adoptions and enhance the bond that people share with their companion animals. And each year during Adopt-A-Dog Month, we give shelters tools and resources to continue fostering connections between people and pets.

If you would like me to feature your rescue on the For The Love Of Dog blog next month write a story about their adoption and send it to me using the Bark Back form.  One can never tire of reading rescue stories with happy endings. The Dogster with the best rescue story will be awarded 100 zealies!  Better get those paws typing.

Our beautiful rescue crew: Copper, Bo, Logan.  They are such a huge part of our lives, sometimes I wonder if we rescued them, or they rescued us?

*Pic courtesy American Humane

Today we’re kicking off the start of the American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month.

Throughout the month of October I’m going to feature articles regarding all things adoption; tips, advice, adoption stories, and ways to help even if you’re not looking to adopt.

Big dogs, small dogs, adult dogs, puppy dogs — you can find them all at your local shelter or breed rescue group. And each one is guaranteed to enhance your life, make you smile and rock your world.

Millions of dogs are surrendered to our nation’s animal welfare organizations every year, not because they are bad or unlovable, but because their owners just couldn’t take care of them anymore. Now these dogs are homeless, and they need a second chance.

American Humane works year-round to support these animal welfare organizations, promote adoptions and enhance the bond that people share with their companion animals. And each year, we celebrate American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month and give shelters tools and resources to continue fostering connections between people and pets.

We encourage everyone to visit their local shelters, learn about the services they provide and — best of all — see all the wonderful dogs they have ready to be adopted.

Having a dog rocks. Experts say dogs promote exercise, help lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, and fight depression and loneliness. Plus, dogs often can serve as “social aids,” helping people get to know others, sparking conversations, and encouraging increased social contact and greater bonds between people.

If you’re ready to have your world rocked, check out the resources at American Humane to learn about the adoption process, behavior and training, and pet care.

So, are you ready to rock your world?