Fifteen months after the pandemic arguably began, we see a light at the end of the tunnel. The willing are vaccinated. People are traveling again. Masks are off – mostly. And offices are starting to discuss The Return.

There’s also been an influx of returns to pet shelters. Now this piece isn’t shaming those who must rehome a pet — I covered my own personal turmoil on this topic already — but this is a unique opportunity for the many who want a purebred dog to get one ethically.

This is my plea for people to visit pet shelters when getting pets, especially for dogs.