although i thought adopting a puppy/dog would enrich my life, i found it discouraging and disheartening. applying to adopt and choosing the dog to adopt was the most discouraging part of the process. once i stepped foot into the kennel area, i was grief-stricken! all the dogs were housed in closet-sized cages. the cold concrete floor was wet and mixed with urine and feces. some dogs with longer fur had blankets while dogs with thinner and lesser fur did not. im not trying to degrade animal shelters. i would volunteer to participate in the rescue of homeless animals in a heartbeat. yet, like most people, i don't have the time to do so. anyhow, shelters are non-profit organizations that cannot afford the outrageous amount of incoming animals and provide optimal care of each and every one of them. they truly try... yet, it's not enough. i wish i could adopt every single dog at the shelter(s)... i'm going to save one life... i'll let all ya'll play with him/her soon! =)