Typically, National Senior Pet Month takes place in November. However, I just read this article in Bark Magazine about senior dogs that it made me want to highlight them early. I’m sure we’ll do a tribute come November as well. Mom’s first dog was an adopted 11 year old eskie, toothless and deaf. He was fantastic, came house broken, settled right in and became mom’s little white shadow.
There’s a lot of myths surrounding adopting older dogs, such as they all have issues, they can’t be trained, etc. While an older dog may not have as many years to live as a puppy, he still has a lot of love to give and life to live. Giving a senior dog a second chance helps de-mystify the idea that old dogs don’t make great pets. Many older dogs are more mellow, require less activity and are happy and content to be your companion. Dogs at every age will have different issues and personalities, but if you look, I’m sure you can find an older dog that will match you!
Check out The Senior Dog Project website for some great resources on older dogs! It includes a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list about adopting one, what to do if you have to give one up, and special care tips for senior dogs. Senior dogs have a higher euthanasia rate in shelters. Give an older dog a second chance today!
The benefits of adopting/rescuing a senior dog (reposted with permission from the Senior Dog Project website):
Top 10 Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog
- Housetrained: 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.
- Won’t chew inappropriate items: Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won’t chew your shoes and furniture while growing up
- Focus to learn: Older dogs can focus well because they’ve mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly.
- Know what “no” means: 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”: 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: 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: 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: Older dogs are instant companions — ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do.
- Time for yourself: 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: 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.