"I can't imagine not getting a "rescue"dog, either from the Humane Society or a breed specific rescue"

Me neither, I like to think Mae picked me. Did you get your dog as a puppy?

The breed-specific rescue clubs are a good cause but can be hard to adopt from. My ex and I tried that first but since most dogs are from an abuse/abandonment situation they prefer retirees.

So we ended up searching the pounds till we met Mae. Her only fault is she's not good with other dogs, she was not socialised by her first owners but she wants to please me so she's made great strides in that direction.