According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2020 is the year of the Rat. I’d say, according to much of humanity on planet Earth, 2020 was (and continues to be) the year of the dog. Our dogs won this year!
While most of humanity worldwide is suffering because of this terrible pandemic, our dogs received the greatest gift; more time with their humans! Many of us quickly shifted from in-person to remote work-from-home routines. Many are still working from home. That means, to our beloved dogs, their humans are home!
2020: The Year of the Dog
Foster and Adoption Increases in 2020
Many people decided to take the plunge and welcome a new dog or cat into their home in 2020. For lots of people, the decision went something like this; I’m at home more often and my family has always talked about welcoming a 4-legged friend into the house. Now that we have more time to devote to training a dog and acclimating him to a new environment, let’s do it!
At the beginning of the pandemic, Americans stepped up and snatched up many of the shelter pets, either by fostering or adopting them as a way to save them from being stuck in a lonely shelter during the initial shutdowns. By July, that surge was an outright sales-boom.
Most shelters, non-profit rescues, and private breeders were all reporting an increase in demand that was so great there were no dogs and puppies to fill it! Some rescues even reported dozens of applications for a single dog. What a way for the unwanted to become wanted!
According to data from PetPoint, an industry site that teams with shelters to track intake and adoption data, dog and cat adpotions were up considerably during the second half of March. Furthermore, while the estimated adoption rate at the beginning of March was 58%, it jumped to 85% at the end of the month.
During the second wave in the summer, many people realized that they’re not booking flights or taking long vacations away from home. Road trips and staycations were becoming the norm, and those types of trips are much easier to include your best friend on. Dogs continued to win, since they were being included in everything their owners do!
Benefits of Dog Ownership
Americans were (and many still are) lonely, bored, their children are bored, and a canine companion is a perfect way to fill that void. A dog will get you out of the house to (safely) socialize and exercise, will give you something to do in your free time, and will provide you with companionship like no other.
Your dog will get you out of the house. Every day. If you’re working from home or still pretty much quarantining, you’re not alone. Many of us have given up our gym memberships, and it’s hard to maintain a fitness routine at home where it’s pretty boring. Here’s to the year of the dog!
Although you probably won’t be hitting the weights with your canine friend, he does need regular walks. By regular, I mean every day. Preferably multiple times a day.
If you’re a doting dog owner, you know your best friend has active periods throughout the day. Usually your dog enjoys a morning walk before they spend the day resting (and you working, probably sitting, looking at a screen).
Of course, if you’re dog is lucky, he probably gets a longer walk in the afternoon or evening when you’re done working for the day and he is finished with his 8+ hour rest.
My dogs and I are like the postman. We are out in all weather, every day. Sometimes I think I want to skip it if it’s too cold, or wet, but usually, they won’t allow that-except for Wally. He doesn’t like the cold in the AM, but he is prone to weight gain, so the walk is a must!
At the beginning of quarantine, I noticed SO many new dogs in my neighborhood. They were winning with walks! Also, at the beginning of quarantine and when I was online teaching for the remainder of the last school year (spring 2020), Wally, Oliver and I would enjoy an “Epic Walk” every single day when I’d emerge from my office and hours of sitting.
We’d walk at least an hour, 3-4 miles every day. This was an excellent time for me to pause, take in the spring changes happening all around, and reflect on how truly privileged I am-healthy and motivated enough to get out on these forays, still able to work, and completely enjoying the companionship of two best friends.
Every weekend over the summer, my husband Chris and I would pack up the dogs and make the short trip to the family cabin on Lake Michigan. Since we canceled our big vacation in March, this was our vacation activity for the year. We wouldn’t even consider not bringing Wally and Oliver. It was like the vacation was planned JUST for them; a long, tongue-lolling ride in the car, off-leash romping in the surf, all the outdoor time they could take, followed by a cozy night’s sleep on a piece of furniture of their choosing. Wally and Oliver won this year!
The Future of Dog Ownership
Many people, including myself are concerned that as we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel with this pandemic ending, people will get bored with their new dogs, and shelter intakes will surge.
There are a few reasons why I refuse to believe this. First, if you’ve ever enjoyed the companionship of a dog, you know how quickly they bond to you and vice versa. Many people are still at home more than anywhere else. At home with their dogs. This pandemic has given us lots of time to bond and form strong attachments with our canine friends.
As a whole, Americans adore pet ownership, and treat their dogs as family members. According to data from The Insurance Information Institute, 67%, or 85 million U.S. households own a pet. 63.4 million of those households report dog ownership.
Most people enter into dog ownership as a long term committment. That means, they’re not simply giving up their pet as soon as their life circumstances change and things start to get back to normal when the pandemic is over. Most people have formed those unbreakable bonds with their dogs, and will adjust their lifestyle to fit that dog.
Industries and businesses like dog walking services, fresh pet food subscriptions, and pet insurance are booming right now. These businesses exist because we love our pets and want to provide them with a happy, healthy life.
Rescuing is the “Cool” Thing to Do!
Very soon, President Elect Joe Biden will take up residence in the White House with his two dogs and a cat. Major will be the FIRST ever rescue dog to live in the White House.
People have access to more information than ever and are realizing that rescue dogs are intelligent, worthy, and mixed breeds are often quite healthy when compared to some purebreds. Plus, if you are in the market for a purebred dog, there are rescue organizations that can provide you with a rescued dog in a breed of your choice.
In fact, 2021 is looking like another year of the dog, particularly resuce dogs! With Major moving into the White House, the “Adopt, Don’t Shop” movement will be front and center. This is the view that encourages people to choose pets from shelters and rescue organizations instead of adopting from commercial breeders. If a rescue dog is good enough for the White House, it’s certainly good enough for your home, right?
Whether your dog is from a rescue, breeder or somewhere else, you know how much they love you. You know that when you’re having a bad day, they understand and will sit quietly with you and just “be”. You know how much of a comic your dog is, and how much humor they infuse into your daily life. You know, but may not be aware of just how much emotional support your dog provides for you. You know, hands down, that having a dog is always better than not. Dogs are always there for us, no matter what!
Tell me about your 2020 Covid-19 experience with YOUR dog! What were your favorite activities? How did your plans change to include your dog? Did you rescue or adopt a new dog in 2020? Are you planning to? Will 2021 be another year of the dog? Only time will tell!