Some of us, in the aftermath of the Covid crisis, were subjected to a deep dive into the music tastes of preteens, which included a song about the lockdown experience called ‘I’m Good?’ by the Hilltop Hoods.

The lyrics are:

I applied for a rescue dog
But if I get you dog, you’re rescuing me

It’s a neat echo of the experience of many people whose canine family member joined them through an adoption program or from the pound, shelter or foster system. Dogs and humans can provide solace to each other, but there are lots of reasons to choose a rescue pet.

For starters, you can avoid that silly, snappy, chewy puppy period, plus all of the associated wee. You might even find a dog with manners that knows a few words from its previous life. It’s probably cheaper to adopt from a shelter, but you’re also supporting a good cause and they’ve likely ticked a number of the health boxes for you, such as vaccination and neutering.

More importantly, though, you’re saving a life – plus contributing positively to your own.

Maisie, our Cover Dog, was found with her siblings as a pup in the streets of Mildura and adopted at 12 weeks through Starting Over Dog Rescue by Carolyn and Geoff. Choosing a rescue pet wasn’t a difficult decision and Maisie was a cutie. “I saw Maisie with the big ears and thought that’s the one,” Carolyn told the TT [Tarrangower Times]. “Geoff loves her, she’s such a quirky dog.”

Maisie, who will turn 14 years old this year, is Carolyn’s third rescue dog: “I would go a rescue dog any day. Someone’s abandoned them, they’re more in need of a home than any other dog.”

Carolyn says life wouldn’t be the same without pets and that humans should strive to be like dogs (always happy to see you and a constant source of amusement). “I can’t imagine life without a dog or a cat, it’s definitely good for your mental health.”

Many dog lovers have reasons for purchasing from a reputable, registered breeder; there’s no doubt. It’s the shady options, including unregistered breeders and online sales, that are the ones to be concerned about. Anyone looking to obtain a dog should undertake research and due diligence.

The strategic way to ensure that there’s no place for puppy farms in your area is by making it an unprofitable place for them to be. Instead, there are so many benefits to being rescued.

This article appeared in Tarrangower Times, 12 June 2026.