The Benefits of Owning and Adopting Senior Dogs

As I walk through the animal shelter to help my friend find a dog for her family, I realize my perception of this place is different than most people's.. There are two couples there as well and both of them including my friend want to know why there aren't any puppies here. One of the gentlemen walks by a beautiful golden retriever and says, "too bad this ones so old. She looks like a real sweet heart". This is when it hit me. Most people enter a shelter looking for the perfect puppy for their family. I'm not sure people realize a shelter isn't a pet store but a place for dogs to be placed on display before they are sentenced to death. This is quite literally their last chance. This is why I don't understand how people can be so pompous to walk through and say "where are the puppies?" These older dogs sitting behind bars are looked at as "throw away" dogs and if someone were to adopt an older dog they would be adopting someone else's problems.

Here I am walking through with a completely different perspective…I'm searching for any dogs that might have special needs so I can save them because I believe all dogs deserve a long happy life.

Most dogs in shelters are not there because they are bad dogs with many issues; they are usually there because of the issues the person surrendering them had. There are many reasons people get dogs and sometimes they are not prepared for the level of responsibility or care this new member of their family will need. Getting a puppy in a lot of ways is like having a new baby in the house. They require a lot of attention to keep them out of trouble and it is our responsibility to help them become considerate, kind adults. If the decision to get a puppy is based on status or a whim without thinking it through, then there will undoubtedly be a surprise factor for the new owner.

In addition to this, older dogs often lose their homes because of the death of a guardian who did not have their dog's care outlined in their will (see our September '05 issue archive). The dog's will also become homeless when there is a change in their owner's work schedule, new baby, need to move where dogs are not welcome, kids leaving the house, change in lifestyle that equates to no time for the dog, new marriages, etc.

I am hopeful when reading the latest stats on the ever increasing money spent on dogs in this country that people are changing their perspective on these wonderful lovable creatures and will stop looking at them as disposable objects that are for human enjoyment only. People who think this way are destroying and missing out on a truly nonjudgmental loving relationship.

There is a non-profit designed to outline and encourage the benefits of Senior dog ownership. The Senior Dogs Project was developed to (1) promote the adoption of older dogs; (2) provide current information on the special care that older dogs need so that they and their human companions may fully enjoy their golden years; and (3) documents the strong, loving bonds that people have with their older dogs.

The Senior Dog Project has provided us with the top ten reasons you would want to consider an older dog.

Top Ten Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog

Housetrained
1. Older dogs are housetrained. You won't have to go through the difficult stage(s) of teaching a puppy house manners and mopping/cleaning up after accidents.

2. Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won't chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.

Focus to learn
3. Older dogs can focus well because they've mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly.

4. Older dogs have learned what "no" means. If they hadn't learned it, they wouldn't have gotten to be "older" dogs.

Settle in with the "pack"
5. Older dogs settle in easily, because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.

Good at giving love
6. Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they've been given.

WYSIWYG
7. What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed at first.

Instant companions
8. Older dogs are instant companions -- ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do.

Time for yourself
9. Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don't make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.

A good night's sleep
10. Older dogs let you get a good night's sleep because they're accustomed to human schedules and don't generally need nighttime feedings, comforting, or bathroom breaks.

If you would like further information on their organization, please visit www.seniordogproject.org