For years now I’ve been hearing that black dogs, especially big ones, are far less likely to be adopted out of shelters than dogs of other colors. I’ve known several shelter employees and volunteers who swear this is true. It’s called Black Dog Syndrome, and several studies verify that it actually happens.
But just as many studies prove that it doesn’t. I hope it doesn’t. I hope our silly prejudices don’t extend even to the hair color of dogs. I must admit that of all the dogs I’ve owned in my lifetime, Quagmire has been the only black one. But I don’t think that’s due to any conscious effort on my part. It just seemed to work out that way.
But I will make this solemn vow: every dog I adopt from here on out will be one that is harder to place. Give us your three legged, your half blind, your greying muzzles, your black dogs yearning to breathe free! I will make my home the island of misfit dogs, two at a time, until I’m too old to care for myself or them.
Because we misfits need love, too.
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