Looking for a really special companion? Who needs cupid or lavalife anyway?

Tekko is an energetic and playful three year old Miniature Pincher who loves to please. Originally from Minneapolis, MN, he was taken from his first family by the Humane Society because he was not well cared for. Lucky for him, a friend of mine wanted a small yet active dog to fit his urban condo lifestyle. He found Tekko on petfinder.com, drove to Minneapolis one weekend to adopt him, and they've been inseparable ever since. Tekko has adapted well to living with an 11 year old cat, and loves to run at the dog park and snuggle under a blanket on cold winter days.

Rescue groups are great places to find your new dog. Typically volunteer-run, rescue groups are very organized and very professional. They work with shelters and individuals to find animals in need – mixes and purebreds. They often have transportation networks set up to drive dogs from province to province (or state to state). They have an adoption process and you typically have to sign a contract stating that you will return the dog to the rescue association if ever you cannot care for him or her anymore.

If you’re looking for a truly compatible companion, check out your local shelter. If you’re hooked on one specific breed, give a rescue dog a second chance. Both are far better options than buying one from a pet store. Visit your local shelter or petfinder.com, or Google the breed of your choice and “rescue”.