We’ve been talking about Christmas and prepping for puppies, deciding what breed is best for you, but I’d like you to consider something else – adopting a senior dog. This is senior dog adoption month, after all.
The ASPCA lists ten reasons why you should consider adopting an older dog. It’s a great list. Imma sum up:
- Everything the dog will be, it already is. Personality quirks, nervous habits, funny things it says behind your back when you’re not looking – all there. Of course, our babies were three years old when we got them (I believe a senior dog is eight years old), and they didn’t bark for the first month. We were all, “Cool! Aussies that don’t bark! That ROCKS!” Nope. They just needed to be comfortable enough with us to protect us. So this isn’t a hard fast rule, understand. We knew from the first minute, though, that the dogs were NOT going to get along with the cats.
- Can be trained easily. Now this one I’ll buy, though our dogs were already beautifully trained when we got them. The ASPCA makes a great point, that the dogs are no longer hyper and so easily distracted. And depending on who had them last, they should already know English. Seriously. And yes, we trained Flash and Patches, pretty quickly, not to eat the cat. I suggest, for ease and speed of training, the use of Jones Natural Chews.
- Sweetie, smooshy, gushy, lovey. Yeah. Most older adopted dogs have a lot more love to give, and they bond quicker with the new owner. Who doesn’t want that?
- You don’t have to watch the dog like a hawk. Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a puppy. Now count how many shoes they’ve chewed. Children’s toys. Whatever. Senior dogs no longer have puppy teeth. Or puppy energy.
- They become part of the family before you know it. Someone has already owned and cared for this dog. It knows its way around a family, or even one owner. Being part of a pack, something larger than itself, is familiar.
- Less mess, less stress. Senior dogs are usually housebroken. If they’re not, like I said, they usually speak English. At the least, they pick up fairly quickly.
- This is, in my view, a very sad reason to get a senior dog, but they just don’t live as long. Shorter commitment is how the ASPCA puts it. But if you’re in a place in life where you really want a dog, but aren’t sure where you’ll be five years from now, getting a senior dog makes a lot more sense than getting a puppy and taking it to the pound in five years.
- Relaxing made easy. Senior dogs aren’t at the door every ten minutes to be let out, wanting hour walks. Theoretically. Flash and Patches aren’t at the door as often, but geez! They haven’t slowed down a whole lot. Maybe it’s the breed … Anywho – if you are the sedentary type, a senior dog may be just what you want. Maybe not just what you NEED, mind you, but what you want. 😉
- Are you susceptible to puppy dog eyes? Are you a sucker for a sob story? Consider the senior dog. You can be a hero for the rest of the dog’s life. People want puppies, as a rule, and senior dogs get passed over. Are you tearing up yet? Seriously, though, the senior dogs need you.
- Consider this:
Cutest dog ever? As cute as any other senior dog! Look at that white around her eyes! That soulful look. *sigh* She still melts me.
There ya have it, the ten reasons to adopt a senior dog. Make one’s day. 🙂 And look! Pet Finder is a great place to find a senior dog in your area!
Until I write again …
Flea
