Getting dumped at a shelter by an owner who decides you are just too old is a cruel reality for many dogs over the age of 7 (when they are officially considered seniors). After years of living with one family, this is particularly devastating for the dog, who will often seem severely depressed and bewildered at the shelter. If you have it in your heart to give one of these dogs a second chance, they will be the most loyal companions.
Because senior dogs usually come potty and house trained, they are great for first-time pet owners. They need less training than a younger dog.
Senior pets are often surrendered by owners, and therefore the animal shelter will likely have more history on the dog’s medical condition. However, when you visit a shelter, senior dogs are more likely to be severely depressed and confused. Once adopted, with some extra TLC, however, senior dogs usually bounce back, and may be even be more loving than a puppy because they are so grateful to have a home again.
Meet Gerri, a cute border collie mix, available for adoption in the Denver area through Outpaws Rescue. This senior girl is about 12 and came to Outpaws after her family moved and left her alone at a shelter, where she was scared and depressed. Now that she is in a loving foster home, she’s come out of her shell and loves to chew on bones and cheer on the Broncos in her new pink jersey. If you would like to meet Gerri and live in Colorado, please complete an online adoption application.
When you adopt an older dog, you’re more likely to see exactly what you are getting from a behavioral and size perspective. Older dogs’ personalities are already formed, so it is easier to gauge at a first meeting what they will be like.
Unless your senior dog has been living on the streets or outside, it will come house trained.
Most senior dogs will also know their basic commands, and if they have forgotten, will re-learn faster than a puppy with a quick refresher course.
This cute senior is named Sasha and she hails from the Humane Society of Grand Bahama but is available for adoption through OutPaws Rescue’s Grey Muzzle Program in Denver. She is an 8-year-old “potcake,” which is what stray dogs are called in the Bahamas. She’s adjusting to life in the Mile High City, but is looking for her forever home. Sasha loves to curl up on her dog bed in the living room and will lie there all day and night if left to her own devices, although she will readily get up for a treat or pets or cuddles. To meet Sasha, complete an Adoption Application through OutPaws Rescue.
Senior dogs work well in apartments with elevators — climbing multiple flights of stairs can be hard on them. They aren’t as energetic and bouncy as younger dogs and more likely to spend afternoons snoozing than whining for a walk.
Senior dogs tend to be less active than younger dogs, so you won’t have to devote as much time to exercise.
Puppyhood isn’t easy. Puppies wake up every few hours wanting to eat and they can often be destructive until — or beyond — adulthood at around 2 years old. An older dog will be more mellow and not as likely to tear up your house.
Many senior dogs are very snuggly, so if you’re looking for a dog that would rather spend time on the couch than run laps around the yard, this is the dog for you.
Senior dogs are great companions for senior citizens, especially a smaller dog. Besides providing comfort and offering lots of love, dogs need to be walked daily, so they also offer a good reason to exercise.
If you can’t adopt a senior dog but want to help one out financially, there are a number of senior dog sanctuaries across the U.S. looking for sponsors so they can save more dogs. Sponsorship usually entails committing to a certain dollar amount each month that goes towards the dogs’ food and medical expenses. To help dogs in the Denver, Colo. area, OutPaws Rescue runs the Grey Muzzle Program for senior dogs and can always use help with sponsorship.
One worthy senior dog rescue is Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary in Tennessee, which provides forever foster homes to older dogs that would otherwise be euthanized — many have medical issues. Many of their dogs have been featured in this slideshow. Check out their Facebook page for more on the rescue.
