We know someone who recently made a spur-of-the-moment stop at an animal shelter and walked out a few minutes later with a new dog. A dog that wasn't housebroken. That nipped. That needed a crate.

    Our friend had the best of intentions -- everyone wants animals out of shelters and in homes -- but this was not the best way to adopt a dog. The process takes planning and work. Here's a game plan for someone seeking to bring a dog home.

    Think it out

    The worst mistake that people make is impulse adoption.

    Don't pick an animal because it reminds you of your old dog, or because you pity the animal, or because you lost your job and need to feel loved, or because the kids want one, or to save a marriage or relationship.

    The No. 1 objective is to save a life. People don't realize the number of amazing dogs being euthanized. Dogs make great companions. They're great from a social perspective. Nothing breaks the ice like a dog when you're out meeting people.

    Once you have a good reason to adopt, use your head. Also ask yourself: Do you have the time to feed, train and exercise a new dog? A puppy needs two years of intensive training; older dogs, a year. Can you afford the financial investment? Even routine medical care isn't cheap. Does the entire family approve, not just one or two members? Everyone will need to pitch in. Will a new dog get along with other pets in the home?

    If you're looking at a puppy, know how big it's going to get. If it's from a shelter or one of those "free-to-good-home" ads, take your best guess and be prepared for an adult dog that's 10 to 30 pounds plus or minus that estimate.

    Choosing a breed … or not

    Figure out what you want: big, small, male, female, energetic, laid-back, etc. Every factor should be considered.

    Is there a purebred that appeals to you? Study up and learn more about that breed's dogs, from how big they get, to their temperament, to how much they shed. Talk to a rescue group that deals in that particular breed. It can tell you a breed's quirks -- and it might even have an animal that would be a good fit.

    If you have no particular breed in mind, consider a mutt. There are a lot more mixed-breed animals needing homes.

    They also tend to be less prone to breed-specific health problems, and there's a school of thought that they're smarter than purebreds. They're also going to cost a lot less, in most cases.

    Just remember, the bottom line isn't always the bottom line.

    我们看到最近一些人在动物收留所门口一时冲动，几分钟后带着一条狗出来了。这些狗没有经过训练。这种领养有点盲目，宠物也需要一个箱子。

    我们的朋友意图很好-大家都希望动物离开收留所，生活在家里。但这不是最好的收养动物的方式。我们需要计划工作过程。介绍一个策略给想要带一条狗回家的朋友们。

    仔细想一下，人们犯的最大的错误是冲动地收养。不要因为一只狗让你想起了你以前的狗，或者你同情动物，或者你丢了工作，需要安慰，或者孩子喜欢动物，或者为了拯救一段婚姻或者爱情，而去收留一只动物。

    第一的目的是挽救一条生命。人们不知道有多少很不错狗被安乐死了。狗是很好的伙伴。从社交的角度他们很有用。没有什么象狗一样，在你和别人碰面的时候打破你们之间的坚冰。

    一旦你有了收留他们的好的理由，请你好好想想。也问问你自己：你有时间喂养，训练，遛他们吗？一条小狗需要两年的大强度的训练；老一点的狗需要一年。你能支付的起经济投资吗？即使是常规的医疗也不便宜。是不是全家人都同意呢，不仅是两个或者三个人同意。每一人都要努力投入。一条新的狗能够和家里的其他宠物和睦相处吗？

    如果你想养一条小狗，你就该知道它会长成多大的一条狗。如果它来自收留所或者那些"免费到你家"的广告，你就该好好猜猜准备好那条狗在估计的体重的基础上多于或者少于10到30磅。是否要选择品种？

    想清楚你要什么样的：大，小，公，母，精力充沛，懒散等等。每一个因素都要考虑。

    有那种纯种的狗对你很有吸引力吗？专门研究和学习狗的品种，比如它们能长多大，他们的脾气，它们的排泄量。向处理特殊品种狗的人询问。这样会获得特殊品种狗的怪僻-或许这样的狗并不适合你。

    如果你已经相中了一种特殊的品种，考虑一下杂种吧。有很多的混合品种的动物没有家。

    杂交动物它们的品种有关的健康问题也少，有一个学派也认为它们比纯种动物更加聪明。它们的花费在大部分情况下也少很多。

    记住，底线永远不是底线。