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Congratulations on deciding to adopt a pet. Pet ownership involves a lot of responsibility, but it’s also very rewarding. Of course, it’s normal to have lots of questions about what to expect. Here are some of the most common scenarios you’ll encounter during pet adoption and tips for each stage.

Pet Adoption Process

Once you’ve decided to adopt, you’ll need to fill out adoption paperwork and may be required to complete an adoption interview. To ensure it’s a good fit, meet your new pet in person before adopting. Some facilities also require a background check before releasing a pet to an owner.

Pet-Proofing Your Home

Once you’ve found the perfect companion, your journey begins. Prior to bringing your new companion home, you’ll need to prepare your household for a pet. This includes pet-proofing your home to make it a calm, safe, happy environment for your four-legged friend.

There are many DIY home preparations you can do in advance. For instance, you might move medicines and cleaning supplies out of reach or secure any wires so your dog can’t chew on them. This Humane Society article offers excellent tips.

Naming Your Pet

One of the first things you’ll want to do after bringing home a new pet is determine his or her name. If you’re naming or renaming your new pet, you might be looking for some unique name ideas. Luckily, Rover.com has created the ultimate list of the most unique pet names. Here are the Top 10 Unique Pet Names that made Rover’s list this year:

1. Beau Dacious – Whether you love a good pun (“bodacious”—see what they did there?) or are simply a fan of “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” there are many reasons why this name is a, like, totally excellent choice, dude.
2. Won Ton – Although it might seem odd to name a pet after your favorite cuisine, one might argue that this name could be strangely appropriate if your pet is a Chinese breed. This name also makes sense if you choose to name your beloved pet after Wonton Soup.
3. Reeses Puppycups – This self-explanatory pun is appropriate for anyone who loves the chocolate/peanut butter combo.
4. Sitka – In addition to being a remote region (and a national historic park) in Alaska, the word “sitka” comes from the West Coast’s indigenous Tlingit tribe. It could be perfect for the right type of pet, such as a sled dog.
5. Lupin – This is one of many “Harry Potter”-themed names to make this list. Any J.K. Rowling fan fondly remembers Professor Remus Lupin as the werewolf from the series. The word “lupin” comes from the Latin word for “wolf.”
6. Willie Nelson – Whether you come from the Heartland of America or are Nelson’s biggest fan, naming your pet after him is one way to honor your favorite country musician.
7. Gryffindor – Another nod to “Harry Potter” on Rover’s list, this name pays tribute to Harry’s own Hogwarts house, known for bravery and courage. This pet shelter has even created a free online quiz to help you determine whether your dog is a Gryffindor or not.
8. Artoo Dogtoo – A play on R2D2 because what list is complete without at least one “Star Wars” reference?
9. Tater Tot – This name fits short, stocky pets. Think: Corgis or dachshunds.
10. Tyrion – Last but certainly not least, Tyrion is a name that will undoubtedly delight any “Game of Thrones” fan. A fan favorite in the books and show, what Tyrion lacks in appearance and height, he makes up for with intelligence and charm.

It’s a lot of responsibility, but if you decide pet adoption is for you, it can be one of the most rewarding choices you’ll ever make. The world is full of many animals in need of good homes. By making the choice to adopt, you’re saving

Aimee fancies herself a DIY goddess. She loves crafting, refurbishing furniture, remodeling rooms, and landscaping. She runs DIYDarlin, which provides DIY project resources and tutorials.

If you’re interested in being a guest blogger on No Ordinary Liz, feel free to contact me with your creative ideas!!

The post Not So Ordinary: The Unique Circumstances Around Adopting a Pet (Guest Blog) first appeared on #NoOrdinaryLiz.

There are things in life that are generally expected to take our breath away, you meet that great love (yep, still looking), you experience the birth of a baby, (adorbs) or you hit your big toe on the corner of your dresser…OUCH!  Whelp, I’m still holding my breath that is…until this past weekend!  No, I didn’t find that great love, or hit my big toe, BUT I did experience something so much greater than any of that!  Are you curious yet?

I don’t know if you remember me talking about CHOSEN in my previous posts, but this past weekend we had the half marathon here in Tampa.  I was introduced to this race by a good friend of mine, and blogmate, Orangespoken who had a friend that was looking to adopt and participate in this race.  I’ve written about BabySanchez in a previous post.  Over the past couple of months leading up to this race, I’ve gotten to know the Sanchez family a little bit better.  We’ve moved from the “friend of a friend” kinda stage to now “friends.”  I have been keeping up with their adoption story and hearing them praise CHOSEN!

 The wonderful Sandra Sanchez! 

That weekend, I didn’t hit the payment and do the 13.1 miles as the other 500 or so runners did, I decided to volunteer at the finish line handing out the medals to those who came across it.  I wanted to look in the eyes of those who were running to give others a SECOND CHANCE, HOPE, a LIFE, a HOME, and LOVE to congratulate them or to comfort them as some had big tears as the finished!  What they didn’t know was that SECOND CHANCE was standing right in front of them.

So why did CHOSEN take my breath away?  See for yourself…

  Seeing these kids who are or in the stages or being adopted running as fast as they could to greet the runner with a medal!  

 Seeing those in PURPLE shirts supporting BabySanchez!  What I found to be most amazing about this is that Sandra had over 70 ppl running for her!  Most of these ppl she didn’t know……but met after the race 🙂

 Two strangers who are from different paths, came together on one for a purpose!

 The people’s SECOND CHANCES!

  The encouragement we get from a friend…

  CHOSEN’s Angels…

 She was running for her SISTER… To be able to capture that moment….

 This AMAZING boy ran for himself and his family!  What an inspiration it was to see him cross  this…

 Ed, who was on a CANE completed the 13.1 mile marathon.  I was so moved with hearing his story, that I had to run out to him and walk with him to the finish line!  This right here was the most inspirational moment, I’ve ever experienced and to know the reason behind it…  he has adopted children…

 Loved this picture!  Waiting on the sidelines and being the cheerleaders for bringing home BabySanchez!

But the BIGGEST MOMENT for me was…

 watching Sandra Sanchez run across that finish line and being greeted by her son who put the medal on her!  Such an epic moment. 

 🙂

Yep, CHOSEN, you did take my breath away, not once, but SEVERAL times!  I have never experienced a more real, heartfelt, motivational race such as CHOSEN!  I walked away that day with my heart so FULL!  I know that BabySanchez will arrive very soon for the Sanchez’s.  CHOSEN soon will be taking their breath away!  I just know IT!

If you’re interested in adopting or would like to participate in a race near you, be sure to check out CHOSEN.

The post is written by me about Chosen Marathon. The opinions are all mine.

The post CHOSEN Took My Breath Away… first appeared on #NoOrdinaryLiz.