A new year, new resolutions, and three hundred sixty five days to find a way to implement your new plans and chase your dreams. From lifestyle goals like organization and time management, to physical transformations such as diet change and exercise routines, New Year’s resolutions come in many forms and often fade. Let's make 2025 the year to make lasting changes to our lives to improve them for the better, to carry us happily into the future. One New Year’s Resolution that many make surrounds companionship. For individuals, this often means joining a dating app or letting a friend set you up on a blind date. However, another way to find “companionship” in the right setting is by adopting a pet. A dog, cat, or other pet may be the change you need, and the extra source of love, as well as a perfect recipient of all the love you have to give. Whatever pet you choose, there is a perfect pet for you. Read on to learn about dog adoption, or fostering, locally in Rhode Island. There are so many benefits of adopting a dog, both for you and the animal, so if you have ever thought about this process for you or your family, spend some time researching options. There are so many benefits of adopting a dog. First and foremost, dogs can improve your emotional well-being. Dogs can provide companionship, comfort, and a sense of purpose. Whether you live alone, or with others, the added joy and love from a dog is immeasurable. The bond from a pet is different than a human, and although hard to describe from another’s perspective, it is a feeling that needs to be experienced to be understood. Studies have shown the benefits of having a pet to love and care for, and how it can improve happiness, and your overall mental health. Spending time with an animal can even reduce stress levels. Making a resolution for a more active lifestyle? A dog can help aid in that goal. Now, we are not saying get a dog so you will work out more. But a dog can cause you to increase your daily activity level! Dogs are natural motivators for physical activity and can help you meet your daily exercise goals. This is also beneficial for your heart health and physical well being! When you adopt an animal from a shelter, you are not just helping that one animal – you are helping the entire shelter! This is because every time someone adopts an animal from a shelter, it frees up space for another homeless animal to be taken in. By adopting a shelter dog, you are indirectly helping many other animals as well! As an added bonus, adopting a dog from a shelter helps to end the cycle of puppy mills, where dogs are often kept in unsanitary conditions and bred repeatedly. An additional advantage of adopting from a shelter or rescue as opposed to purchasing an animal from a breeder or other seller is cost savings. Adopting a dog from a rescue is usually less expensive. Also, shelter dogs are vaccinated to protect them from diseases that circulate in the shelter. Rescues have treated dogs for illnesses or ailments, as well as plotted a course of treatment should your future pup need continued care. You can meet and greet the perfect dog! Dogs from shelters often have experienced many different situations, so his caretakers know in what situation they will thrive. An older dog may be a better fit for your work from home lifestyle. A younger dog who has lived with other animals may be the best for your growing family. As we welcome in the new year, the decision to adopt a dog is not merely a commitment to caring for a pet but a journey towards improved well-being. The physical, mental, and emotional benefits of having a canine companion are supported by research and countless personal success stories. Embracing the joy and love that a dog can bring into our lives is a transformative resolution, enriching our daily experiences and contributing to a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling year ahead. Not quite ready to adopt? Consider fostering an animal. Too often, shelters and rescue facilities become overrun with animals in need of a safe place to recover, or wait to be adopted. Many dogs need a quiet place and dedicated attention they don’t always get from a shelter. Fostering can even save a dog’s life; when shelters become too full, dogs may be turned away, sent to less desirable facilities, or euthanized. Similarly to adopting, fostering helps you get to know an animal before a long term commitment to ensure you are the right fits for each other. Contact local rescues to find out about their adoption and fostering programs. Learn more and decide which is right for you. If you are serious about adding a dog to your life, the perfect pooch is out there waiting for you! Here in Rhode Island, we have many shelters, and pet rescues who work tirelessly to care for the dogs brought to them daily. One such establishment is Vintage Pet Rescue.
Vintage Pet Rescue is a 501c3 non-profit located in Foster, Rhode Island. What makes this rescue unique is that they protect and advocate for homeless senior dogs in need. This rescue provides cage-free sanctuary living for all of their residents. No matter the length of the life of their dogs, they work towards finding each rescue a safe and loving place to live the rest of their lives. Along the way, they are increasing public awareness and interest in saving senior pets. VPR was founded by Kristen and Marc Peralta. Their love for senior dogs is “the driving force behind the organization where we are committed to rescuing vintage (senior) dogs from shelters and assisting owners who can no longer care for their senior pets.” Kristen, Marc, and their team of volunteers make sure these animals are provided with love, attention, and medical care for the last months or years of their lives. To date, VPR has saved the lives of over 1,000 dogs. Their incredible work rehabilitating and rehoming senior dogs has been recognized around the country, and continues to inspire. Recently, OPTX held a Trunk Show at which we raffled off prizes donated by wonderful sponsors from our community. 100% of the profits from our raffle tickets was donated to Vintage Pet Rescue, who graciously accepted our invitation to the trunk show, and arrived with the cutest senior V-I-Pup, Biscotti! He explored our showroom, mingled with guests, and almost went home with our CEO, Lynne! A new pet is a big change. A rescue like Vintage Pet is a great place to start your research. They can help you determine if fostering or adopting is right for you. Then they can match you to an available dog for whom you may be a forever family! Especially if you are willing to make a huge difference, and have a lot of time and love to give, VPR may be your perfect match. Their senior dogs may have less time than others, but they still have a lot of love left to give. Some of the sweetest pups come to them because of an owner’s passing, or they have ended up in a shelter, or they have medical needs that need extra attention. Whatever the case, these dogs are also looking for a loving home and yours may just be the perfect place! Want to make a change for these pups, but not ready to make the commitment? A donation to help the animals is always an option! A monetary donation to a program like Vintage Pet Rescue goes a long way in caring for all the animals they are able to house, feed, treat, and care for. Remember many of the benefits of a shelter include beds not cages, individualized meals, medications and treatments, as well as 24/7 love and attention from caregivers. Consider making a donation to VPR or any organization, any time throughout the year! If you are not in the market for a dog, or a pet at all, this is not the New Year’s Resolution for you. Pet adoption may even need more careful thought before becoming a reality. Here are a few ways to ensure you make the right resolution, and how to choose the best one for a successful 2025! Before deciding on a resolution, take some time to reflect on the past year. What went well? What could have gone better? Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, and identify areas where you struggled. This self-assessment provides valuable insight into patterns and habits that can guide your goals. Next, think about your values and priorities. What truly matters to you? Whether it’s health, relationships, or career growth, your resolution should align with these core aspects of your life. For example, if you value family but struggled to spend quality time with loved ones, a resolution to prioritize family dinners might be a meaningful goal. A common mistake is setting vague or overly ambitious resolutions. Instead, use the SMART criteria to create a clear and actionable goal:
Choose resolutions that will have the most significant impact on your life. For example, if you’ve been neglecting your health, prioritizing a fitness goal might make the most sense. By narrowing your focus, you’ll be better equipped to make meaningful changes that stick. Start small, with attainable steps to achieve your goal. Once you’ve chosen your resolution, create a plan to achieve it. Start by breaking it into smaller, manageable steps. For example, if your goal is to “read more,” begin with a commitment to read 10 pages a day. Gradually increase the volume as it becomes a habit. Building supportive routines is also crucial. Incorporate your resolution into your daily schedule and use tools like reminders or apps to stay on track. Enlist an accountability partner—a friend or family member who can encourage you and keep you motivated. Finally, prepare for challenges. Life is unpredictable, and setbacks are inevitable. Anticipate potential obstacles and develop strategies to overcome them. For example, if you know you struggle to find time to exercise, schedule workouts early in the morning or during lunch breaks. Flexibility is key to maintaining a resolution. Life changes, and your goals may need to adapt. If circumstances shift, don’t hesitate to revise your resolution to keep it relevant and achievable. For instance, if an injury prevents you from running, pivot to low-impact activities like swimming or yoga. Regular reflection is equally important. Set aside time to assess your progress and motivation. Celebrate small victories along the way—they’re milestones that deserve recognition and will help sustain your commitment. Above all, approach your resolution with positivity and self-compassion. Focus on progress, not perfection. It’s okay if you don’t achieve your goal exactly as planned. Acknowledge the effort you’ve put in and the growth you’ve experienced. Reframe your resolution as an opportunity for self-improvement, not an obligation. This mindset shift makes the journey more enjoyable and reinforces the value of striving for personal growth. As the new year begins, take some valuable time to reflect on the last 365 days. If you are making a resolution, use the SMART guidelines to maximize success and decrease burnout. Find ways to improve your lifestyle, your health, and your well-being through small changes (or a big change, if that is what life calls for!) Take the time to prioritize you, your health and happiness in 2025 and make the year the best one yet. Happy New Year! |
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