The shelter at which I work is worried.

The number of adoptions is down substantially over the past few weeks. Some of the slowdown is the economy. But the adoption of animals can also be very seasonal.

Winter is usually not the preferred time to adopt a new pet, what with the kids in school, little extra time, and house training, when it’s yucky outside, is a challenge.

Here though, are some very good reasons to adopt a pet in the middle of winter:

1) Some one has to remind us of the joys of jumping through mud puddles, now that the kids have grown up.

2) A real, living bed warmer. Cats are great at this. Multiple cats are better because then you have more than one spot on the bed pre-warmed.

3) Someone has to remind you of the need for a king-sized bed to make you realize how little of the bed you actually need for sleeping, because of reason number 2. Think sleeping with a lab.

4) The best time to go for a walk at the beach is when it’s rainy. There is no one there and the labs don’t care about getting wet.

5) A four-legged reason for using those really cute, polka-dotted rain boots and matching umbrella. (Always looking for the fashion angle.)

6) A four-legged reason to actually use that adorable raincoat for the dog, which most don’t need, but what the heck, it’s raining.

7) Someone must protect you from getting too close to the wood stove.

A four-legged reminder that playing hide and seek in the house is really fun and a great way to work recalls successfully.

9) Someone to remind us that keeping a house clean during the winter is pointless.

and the best reason for getting a new pet in the winter is?????

You tell us!