www.TheNewBarker.com
42 THE NEW BARKER
The Accidental Myth of 
the Rescue Dog
by Dina Athanassie
The other day a new neighbor was walking down the street 
with a cute little dog. I engaged in polite conversation, and he 
proceeded to tell me that his dog was a rescue. He then 
unloaded a laundry list of all the issues this beautiful dog had 
prior to adoption. The ease with which he recited these issues – 
like a well-practiced monologue – indicated it was something 
he had repeated often. 
      ‘My dog is a rescue’ is often followed by a story about neg-
lect, abuse, or how difficult the dog once was. The intention is 
almost always sincere. Rescue dog owners speak from love, 
pride, and a passion for the Adopt Don’t Shop movement. But 
what if the way dog owners speak about their rescue dogs is 
doing more harm than good? 
      There are times when a dog’s background matters. 
Veterinarians, trainers, foster coordinators and, of course, 
adopters need detailed histories to make decisions and provide 
proper support. 
      This is not that. This is about sharing your rescue dog’s 
trauma in casual conversations — at the dog park, in the waiting 
room at the veterinarian’s office, or on social media. Repeatedly 
recounting a dog’s worst experiences creates a narrative that 
follows them everywhere, even when they are thriving in their 
new home. It invites others to view the dog through a lens of 
fear or pity instead of recognizing them for the amazing 
individuals they are. 
      When we repeatedly describe rescue dogs through the 
lens of hardship, damage, or sad stories, we may be quietly 
reinforcing the belief that these dogs are less desirable. In doing 
so, we unintentionally frame purchased puppies as easier, more 
predictable, and more “whole” by comparison. 
      The irony is that rescue dogs are proof of resilience, adapt-
ability, and second chances. They are living, breathing, 
triumphant, feel-good stories wrapped in fur! Yet the stories we 
tell about them rarely reflect this strength. What if we shifted the 
lens?  
      What would that picture look like to potential adopters? 
Author’s note: I believe adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue group is one of life’s greatest joys. In this essay, I explore 
how we speak about rescue dogs after adoption and how it shapes public perception. Please note I am examining casu-
al, social conversations – not animal shelter and/or rescue bios, which require transparency. I believe if we want dog 
adoption to be perceived in a positive light, we must be willing to examine our own behavior in shaping its perception.
MOZART
LEO

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