
Saving a Senior
UPDATED: Nov 14, 2013
I’ve been a big advocate of the whole “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra for a long time. Our home is under renovation using vintage materials, I’ve got a composter in the backyard, and I shop at second-hand stores for much of my wardrobe.
I’ve realized that, in many ways, I’ve been following the same process with my pets. All my pets are someone else’s throwaways and I just adopted another dog from the local humane society.
At 9 years old, Pebbles was surrendered due to her owner’s health issues. Can you imagine leaving the only home, perhaps the only human you had ever loved, and finding yourself in a noisy, crowded, busy shelter? Every routine, every familiar object would have been stripped away, leaving you confused and desperate for reassurance.
Puppies stand a good chance at being adopted from a shelter, as do purebreds. But adult dogs, especially senior dogs, are more likely to be euthanized, as potential adopters see them as less desirable.
There are dozens of reasons to look at an adult or senior dog as your first choice. While puppies are adorable, they also come with a year (or more) of learning the basics. I was fortunate because my three dogs came home potty-trained, content to adapt to my schedule, and well past the chewing stage.
We will no doubt have power struggles as the three dogs figure out the pack structure and eventually learn that while I only have two arms, no one gets shortchanged on petting and affection. Perhaps the scariest thing (for me) is the thought that since Pebbles is a senior, our time together may be short. But that shouldn’t mean that it matters less.
Several years ago, my mother adopted an elderly Shihtzu, a puppy mill survivor, from a shelter. While Winston only shared 14 months with her, there is no doubt that the quality of life in his final year was, perhaps, the best he had ever experienced.
The day I went to the shelter and found Pebbles, dozens of people oohed and aahed over the adorable puppies and kittens. Their “cuteness quotient” was literally off the charts. But in other cages, adult dogs and cats sat waiting. Their need for a forever home is perhaps even greater, in some cases, desperate. Their reasons for ending up in the shelter are often not behavioral issues, but due to the health or financial situation of their former owners. They may be doomed through no fault of their own.
You can adopt a reduce-reuse-recycle attitude…but let’s change the context. REDUCE the number of unwanted animals by spaying or neutering your pet. RETRAIN your animal and work with professionals, if needed, to modify behaviors rather than simply giving up on a pet. (And don’t forget that some very effective pheromone therapy products are available to help you in that behavior training and adaptation period.) And for goodness sake, consider REHOMING an adult or senior animal.
Consider those three “Rs” when adding a pet to your family, and then add in one more: the REWARD of love and devotion that a senior or adult pet can share with you.
Editor’s Note: This post was so popular last year, that we decided to re-post it in honor of our senior pets. We hope you enjoyed it!
Saving a Senior | Pet Health Central Blog http://t.co/O7RnzfaY #dogs #pets
This was a beautifully written blog and certainly tugs at your heart strings. I actually had a tear in my eye while reading it. Please continue to encourage animal lovers to adopt senior pets. It can be so rewarding. And by the way, if that’s Pebbles, she’s super cute! Bless you for being such a kind person. God loves everyone, but especially people like you. At least that’s my opinion.
You make me cry and want to go adopt a senior dog. 🙁
Saving a Senior http://t.co/NtUI6CJP via @sergeantspet
Our latest blog post Saving a Senior – I’ve been a big advocate of the whole “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra for a l… http://t.co/PTUxGqQh
nice blog for our older 4 legged friends.
I agree, All of our dogs have been adopted. three of which from the same shelter I volunteered at as a teenager.
Remember Nov. is Senior Pet Adoption month: Saving a Senior http://t.co/4AN5NgMq via @sergeantspet
Fabulous! If only more people would have the same thoughts, not only the rescuer but the pets would all be so much better off. It only takes one good experience to make a family keep the ball rolling with rescuing older animals or those pets needing homes that most may pass over. Personalities are everything and that is in your animal too. Thanks for this very well written article. Pete and Daisy’s Mom
Your cause is very noble. I am a huge dog lover, and it hurts me to see all these animals going through this. I have had dogs almost all my life. And you have to know, you are there God. They look to you for everything.
I love this article and from a former animal shelter employee I can tell you it so true that many of the best pets at the shelters are over looked only because of their age, breed or appearance!
I loved your story, I love your dog, she is beautiful. What breed is she?
there are so meany older dogs that need a good home.there is a place down here in philly that house pitbulls that will be put to sleep if not adotped.so please if you are looking for a dog look into it.thanks
God bless you! I love the senior dogs too, and wish I could have more of the “old throw aways” than I do. They are so grateful and loving…
God bless you. I, too, love the senior dogs and wish I had room for more than I already do. They are so loving and so grateful.
I just adopted my second senior. Rosie is 9 years old and is the sweetest, most loving dog I’ve ever had. She’s the second 9 year old I’ve adopted. Hope lived to be 16 years and made my life a joy every day. Both came from circumstances similar to the one you describe; given up because of the owner’s health problems. If people only knew the love that they will receive from these special little “seniors”.
Melissa,
Pebbles could be our Max’s adult cousin! We adopted Max from a shelter 2 months ago and were told he was probably 5 yrs. old. Once we brought him home and took him for a vet check-up, we discovered he was more like 1-2 yrs. We don’t have any breed info on him…were you given any information on Pebbles?
God bless you Mrs.Melissa . everyone should be like you
We have always adopted adult dogs. They are so incredibly appreciative of being given a new loving home!
Wonderful stuff, and a great reminder that a slightly ‘used’ dog or cat is often easier for some folks to take into their home than a crazy puppy or cutain-climbing kitten! Thanks for the reminder, Melissa!
I lost both of my older boys within 10 months of each other, but I’d still adopt older dogs even if you have to deal with aging and health issues –they’re so grateful for a good home, and you can spoil them just like any other dog.
Enjoyed this site and agree about adopting senior pets.