Growing up with a dog is an amazing experience, especially when the bond between you and your dog extends through childhood to adolescence and adulthood. These four-legged friends have always been there for you: your first day at school, first heartbreak, applying to college…
In this list, you’ll find the best before and after pictures of dogs and their owners growing up. There’s no doubt that the owners and their pets make each other really happy!
Guy Recreates Photo With His Dog 15 Years Later To Say Goodbye
Source: Gordondel
As you enjoy the photos, we’ll share with interesting facts about shelter animals. Maybe you could consider adopting! Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. Overpopulation, due to owners letting their pets accidentally or intentionally reproduce, sees millions of these “excess” animals killed annually.
The First And Last Night With My Pup. Rest In Peace
Source: Shakezillla
According to Bark Post, it costs taxpayers roughly 2 billion bones a year to round up, shelter and euthanize homeless animals. Wouldn’t you rather pay that tab with love and belly scratches?
15 Years Later Still Best Friends
Source: Tracie Price
The main reasons animals are in shelters: owners give them up, or animal control finds them on the street.
3 Years Of Friendship
Source: DanielHillSKW
Gotta case of puppy ruv? The average age of animals entering shelters is 18 months… still perfectly puppyish if that’s what you’re after!
“Someone Dear To Me Passed Away Today. This Is My Best Friend Genevieve, On The First Day We Met, And The Last Day”
Source: risherwood
Homeless animals outnumber homeless people 5 to 1. So you can really help these lovely animals by adopting one of them.
Vitalijus And Rex 7 Years Apart
Source: Vitalijus Gafurovas
Science shows that dog owners are less stressed thanks to hormonal and chemical changes that occur from spending time with their pups!
True Love, 13 Years Later
Source: emmareddit
Each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters are too full and there aren’t enough adoptive homes.
“My Dog And I, 1998 And 2012”
Source: reddit.com
Many dogs and cats in animal shelters are turned in by guardians who simply can’t take care of them anymore, so it’s easy to find plenty of sweet animals who are already house-trained and friendly and who may even know a few tricks!
11 Years Makes A Big Difference
Source: imgur.com
According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2% of cats and only 15 to 20% of dogs are returned to their owners.
Before And After
Source: imgur.com
Got the love but not the time to play with cats all day? Just volunteer or foster! Not only will you be able to meet loads of adorable animals, you’ll also play a role in finding them forever homes.
“This Is Brandy And Me On Her First Birthday, And 14 Years Later On Her Fifteenth”
Source: imgur.com
About twice as many animals enter shelters as strays compared to the number that are relinquished by their owners.
“Best Friends Since 1997”
Source: buttonsandbowas
Does the thought of high medical bills make you paws when it comes to shelter dogs? Well, a whopping 90% of animals entering the shelter system are healthy and ready-to-adopt!
“The Day We Got Our Puppy, And 11 Years Later”
Source: imgur.com
It’s impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States. Estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.
“And In Between, 13 Years Of The Best Dog A Kid Could Ever Have”
Source: SandyMQT
Did you know that 20-30% of dogs in shelters are purebred! There are incredible breed-specific rescues everywhere– a quick Google search will help you dig for what you need.
First 9 Months Together
Source: microbelady
Many strays are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.
“My Dog Midas And Myself After A Decade Together”
Source: AlmaGordo
Workers and volunteers at animal shelters know the animals well, and they’ll help you find your perfect match.
“My Best Friend For The Past 15 Years”
Source: ansterthemonster
You can be that ray of sunshine by giving an animal in a shelter a loving home. He or she will pay you back in love tenfold!
“I Had To Put My First Dog Down After 14 Years Of Wonderful Companionship, Rip Docker”
Source: WeGotVices
Before being put up for adoption, most pets in shelters are given a complete medical exam, plus vaccinations and any necessary treatment.
“My 15 Year Friendship! Meet Monty”
Source: SnowBROSnow
Of the estimated 8 million pets that enter U.S. shelters every year, only half of them will make it out.
“My Lifelong Companion And Friend, 2001 And 2014”
Source: imgur.com
Adoption is the easiest, quickest way for a pet to leave a shelter. If your options are choosing to adopt — and save a life — and choosing not to adopt, why wouldn’t you welcome a shelter pet into your home? You can make a difference by adopting a pet.
