On my Rescue Me blog the other day we featured a beautiful Golden Retriever who is looking for his forever home.Meet Tobey - an 8-year-old, red-gold Golden who loves being with people and has a seemingly unlimited capacity for being petted. Tobey loves attention and recently graduated from a beginning obedience course.
All across the US there are hundreds and hundreds of active, healthy and happy senior pets that are looking for their forever homes. The ASPCA and Petfinder.com are joining rescues and shelters throughout the country during the month of November to help these wonderful (but often neglected) pets find equally wonderful homes.
From sources Senior Mutt Match, The Sanctuary for Old Dogs, The Senior Dogs Project, and Best Friends Network here are some great reasons for adopting a senior dog into your family!
1. Loyalty, Loyalty, Loyalty!
Chances are good that by adopting a senior mutt, you have rescued a wonderful, loving canine from an untimely, unfortunate and unwarranted death. A senior mutt can sense that he or she was saved and will be eternally loyal to his or her new “forever” family.
2. Ease Of Guardianship
Senior mutts are mellow, relaxed and ready for a new home. They are past the puppy chewing and destruction stage and usually come with basic training. Most senior mutts are happiest sitting at your feet or curled up in their bed next to yours.
3. No Huge Lifestyle Change
You don't need to worry about puppy proofing your house and constant training. And older dogs let you get a good night's sleep!
4. Stress Reliever
Life today can be very hectic. Studies have shown that animal guardianship can decrease blood pressure levels and reduce stress. Senior mutts enjoy leisurely walks, which will encourage you to exercise for even a few minutes on your busiest days.
5. WYSIWYG (“What you see is what you get.”)
Senior mutts are full grown and their personalities are completely developed. When you meet with your senior dog, you will know what kind of wonderful, loving canine he or she is and will always be.
6. Doggie Wisdom
Senior canines have learned many of life's lessons. They know, for example, that shoes are for walking and bones are for chewing.
7. Calm, Cool & Collected
Most senior dogs do not demand the time and attention that a younger dog does and are satisfied with casual walks and cuddling. Many senior mutts snooze the day away inside while you are busy at work and are waiting calmly at the door for you when you return home.
8. Old Dog, New Tricks
Senior dogs can learn new tricks and be valuable family and community members. They also make excellent therapy dogs.
9. Companionship For All
Senior dogs make wonderful companions for everyone, especially senior people and busy professionals.
10. Save A Life
Senior dogs are often the first to be euthanized in area shelters. Passed over for cute and cuddly puppies, they often have little chance to be adopted.
To find out more information on senior pets, visit the terrific websites listed above - they have loads of info on caring for your senior pet. And we encourage you to stop by these sites if you are looking for your next best friend:
As a recently adopted senior dog (not that I act like it ost of the time), here here I say!
ReplyDeleteToodle pip,
Harry x