by Linda Goodman …
Having a senior or older dog in your life is a privilege. Whether you’ve had your dog since they were a puppy or have adopted a dog aged seven or older, you’re one of the lucky ones.
Why do so many older dogs find themselves in rescues today?
Older dogs don’t end up in rescue for just one reason. While some of the causes have been around for decades, newer pressures linked to a wider crisis are now adding to the growing number of senior dogs in need of help. In this personal blog, I’ll share some of the reasons behind this, along with my own experiences of life with my much-loved senior companions.
One of the reasons that saddens me most is when a dog’s beloved owner has either died or has had to go into care, and no other members of the family are willing or able to take the dog into their own family. It’s heart-wrenching when you know that these loving companions have meant so much to that person and equally distressing for the dog to suddenly find themselves in an unfamiliar situation. Unfortunately, when people make their Wills, they often forget to make provision for what will happen to their best friend if they outlive their owners. I’ve made provisions in my will, and over the years I’ve had many conversations about this with friends.
Other reasons are that an owner may find themselves in financial difficulty, or they lose their home either rented or owned, or a marriage breaks down where neither partner is able or willing to keep their dog. They see no other option but to relinquish their dog to a rescue in the hope that they find another loving home. If you find yourself in financial difficulty, and are struggling to feed your beloved pet, search for Pet Food Bank services in your area.
Another reason that I personally think has contributed to the problem is the Covid puppy boom – the time when a puppy was a much-needed distraction during lockdown. A couple of years after Covid, rescues were seeing dogs of approximately 2 years old being surrendered. You could say these dogs became excess to requirements. For the ones that weren’t surrendered at that time, these dogs are now around 6 years old – one or two years from being classified as a senior.
Owners of ‘pandemic puppies’ may see the impending increase in their pet insurance premiums when they become classified as senior dogs as an expense they could do without. This is something I believe insurance companies need to be held accountable for, and they urgently need to address it, as in my opinion they are currently willing contributors to the dog rescue crisis the UK is experiencing. And let’s be honest here and say the veterinary industry and the exorbitant prices they charge are also partly to blame.
And then there’s the unthinkable. People literally abandoning their old dogs, leaving them to wander the streets or dumping them in more remote locations hoping nobody will notice. I’m often on social media and I’m seeing all too often rescues taking in old, sick dogs that have been dumped.
The joys and benefits of sharing life with a senior dog
Not only do seniors bring a special kind of joy to our lives, consider the benefits. The first major benefit is that these dogs are not puppies! Anyone who has struggled with the antics of bringing up a puppy will know only too well what a nightmare they can be. I’m reminded of the book written by Eric and Sara Sims called “Puppies Are Dicks: Adopt an Older Dog”. It’s a hilarious book about why people should avoid puppies and instead adopt older dogs.
A senior dog has left all that puppy kerfuffle, mayhem, chaos and destruction behind them. Now all they want is a warm bed, good food, some play time and a walk. Most of all, they want your time and companionship. Dogs live for us and our time is the most precious canine commodity we can give them. It’s why retired people make some of the best senior dog adopters of all. They have time to devote to this most precious relationship. Senior dogs are a whole lot less demanding than younger ones and their pace of life is perfectly suited to those of us who enjoy a slower pace of life.
Also, if you’ve always had two dogs and one of them sadly passes away, consider adopting a senior buddy for your existing dog, especially if they too are older.
Getting old is part of life
The one thing we can’t stop is time. We all get older and strive to retain our youth for as long as possible and we all understand that one day we will die. Dogs don’t know about aging. They have no perception of whether they’re young or old. That’s just one of the many beautiful things about dogs. They live in the moment and their needs are simple.
Yes, when they’re in their senior years they can get some aches and pains from arthritis. Don’t we all? But it’s also worth remembering that illness can happen at any time in a dog’s life whether young or old. There’s no guarantee that a senior dog is definitely going to develop health problems as they get older. So perhaps we should stop second guessing the fate of our best friends and like them, live in the moment.
Adopting a senior dog is a beautiful thing
Of the many dogs I’ve adopted over the years, the majority of them have been 6 or 7 years old, although I did once adopt a 10-year-old Westie and a 14-year-old cocker spaniel. I can honestly say that I have never regretted my decisions. The love and devotion of all of these dogs has only ever enriched my life, and I’ve learned so much from my older friends too. Above all I’ve learned patience and a level of mutual kindness that only the human/animal bond can provide.
By adopting a middle aged or senior dog you’ll be playing a vital role in animal welfare, as well as being a responsible dog lover, because far too many older dogs are overlooked in rescues just because of their age, which I’m sure dog lovers out there will agree with me, is a complete tragedy.
Visit our Rescues page for information on rescues, sanctuaries and organisations that specialise in the adoption of senior dogs across the UK including Senior Staffie Club, The Oldies Club and Forever Frosted Senior Dog Sanctuary.
WOOFABILITY 