Oftentimes they have spent their lives with a person who passed away or had to move into a nursing home, and that person’s family refuses to take on the responsibility of caring for them.
Another reason many older dogs end up at shelters is that as they enter their senior years, their owners no longer want to undertake the extra time and expense required to care for them. This unfortunate scenario happens all too often.
Adopting a senior dog is a rewarding experience that can give a second chance to a deserving older canine. But senior dogs also come with special considerations and responsibilities.
Anyone who is considering opening his heart and home to an older canine should first ask himself the following questions:
What is the Home Life Like?
Quiet households are the perfect fit for a senior dog. On the contrary, households with young children or a hectic lifestyle will not provide an appropriate fit for an older canine. As a rule, older couples or single people with calm, stay-at-home lifestyles are the perfect candidates to adopt an older dog.
What are the Expectations?
Anyone looking for a jogging companion or someone to accompany him on long walks should opt for a younger pooch. Just like people, senior dogs slow down in their “golden years”. But people who enjoy snuggling on the couch while watching a good movie might just find their new best friend in a senior dog.
Do they Follow a Steady Routine?
Just as people become more set in their ways and less able to cope with change as they age, the same is true for dogs. Senior dogs like the stability of a predictable daily routine. Anyone whose job or personal life requires a constantly changing schedule should opt for a younger, more adaptable furry companion.
Are they Financially Willing and Able to Make the Commitment?
Just like with people, as dogs age, ailments tend to creep up on them. Some might be minor, while others are more serious – and expensive. Prospective guardians of senior dogs should be willing and able to take on the financial responsibility to appropriately care for their medical issues.
Are they Willing to Give the Dog Extra Time to Adjust?
Many senior dogs have lived in the same environment – and loved the same person – their whole lives, only to be plucked from their familiar surroundings and thrown in with strangers. They are scared and confused and will need lots of love and reassurance – and most of all, time – from their new guardian as they strive to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings, people and possibly other animals.
Although senior dogs require special care and consideration, for anyone in a position to adopt an older canine, the rewards are endless.
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