We take the dog and then worry about it later because the next step at the shelter would be death. Mike Love, who runs Central Valley Collie and Sheltie Rescue, and his wife have found new homes for 619 dogs since 1992. He says only four have been returned. Rescuers say they are overrun with pets that owners haven't properly exercised, trained or fed. The dog ran out of time, contracted kennel cough and was destroyed.
Dogs are different.
The later you are coming home, the happier they are to see you. While collies and golden retrievers attract plenty of adoption interest, the more maligned breeds face dismal prospects. But when you finally place one in that perfect home, it's such a high. Even groups with popular breeds cannot win them all. Sometimes the dogs are too sick to go on.