We hear it often in the rescue, "I'm looking for a dog for my Mom," ... "My sister just went through a divorce and she could use the company," ... "Our brother is out-of-work and lonely and would like a dog," ... etc.
A dog does NOT make a good gift. A dog is not a thing. An adoption as a gift, is not about you-feeling-good doing this for someone else. A dog is not a quick-fix; it is, however, a permanent commitment. A 3-way adoption is something the rescue will not do.
A dog, however, has instincts and can sense indecisiveness, instability and unwantedness. The person adopting a dog needs to have a bond with the animal. A small similarity to consider is, "Would you purchase perfume or a book for a person?" The answer is no. Perfume and books are of a personal taste and unless you know for sure what that person likes or dislikes, your wasting your efforts and money.
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We watch the dog's reaction to the person as much as we observe the person. Some families have been great families to adopt to, but the dog, for whatever reason, felt a need to hide behind the foster Mom. The dog's "opinion" counts just as much as the family's.
If you are thinking about getting any animal as a gift—don't. Because "Mom" may not want another mouth to feed ... the "divorced sister" will find someone else in time that may not be a dog lover ... and the "out-of-work brother" will find employment again ... then what happens to the dog?
