By Jerry Del Priore

I’ve always been in favor of adopting dogs. There are so many amazing dogs lingering in shelters who need a good home, so it just makes sense to me to bring one home under the right circumstances.

My niece Marisa and her husband Joe own a wired-haired Dachshund mix dog named Charley, who they rescued at three months old, and I whole-heartedly adore him.

Charley is turning six years old next month, and still possesses the pup energy that I love. We play ball for hours, and he never seems to tire. 

Five weeks ago, my girl friend Maggie and I rescued Maya (her former name was Sarah), a brindle (color pattern) American Staffordshire Terrier/lab mix, from Home for Good Dogs Rescue (HFGDR) — a 100 percent foster-based, non-profit 501(c)(3) dog rescue outfit established in 2010 with offices in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.

Home for Good Dogs rescues homeless dogs from high-kill shelters in the South, which are overflowing with unwanted canines on the brink of being euthanized.

Let me tell you, while Maya is a six-month-old puppy now, with a few behavior issues, she has brightened our world with her sweet, cute, little face, high-energy ways, and need for love and attention. I can’t get enough of this affable little pup.

Just to think, if Maya didn’t get adopted, what would happen to her and dogs like her in the same situation?

I’m not condemning anyone for buying dogs from breeders or pet stores, not at all. But there are countless dogs in shelters who are capable of thriving in loving forever homes with the right fit family.

Additionally, if you need more reasons to get a dog, studies have shown that owning a pet, such as a dog or cat, can be good for your health.

A dog may make you less likely to get heart disease, and can improve your health if you already do have it, according to WebMD.com.

It can also relieve stress by reducing your blood pressure, helps your body release a relaxation hormone, and cuts down on levels of a stress hormone called cortisol, which can cause negative overall health effects.  

But it’s vital to know if owing a dog will fit into your lifestyle. If you’re away from home often, then it’s best not to get a dog. If you don’t enjoy being active, settle for a dog who’s calmer, and doesn’t require lots of exercise.

When you find the right dog, you’ll know it. Make the time, and you’re new bundle of pooch will pay you back tenfold in ways you never envisioned.

For more information on Home for Good Dogs, log onto https://www.facebook.com/HomeForGoodDogRescue/ and https://homeforgooddogs.org/.