Today, I have a special treat for you – a guest post from one of my favorite bloggers! Editor-at-Large for LIFE+DOG Magazine and Founder of Grouchy Puppy, Sharon Castellanos writes to educate and inspire people to focus on the beauty and joy of having a dog in their life. She shares stories and interviews that strive to illustrate how we all have it in us to give fearlessly and influence positively. I was lucky enough to finally meet her in person during BlogPaws in spite of that whole hurricane thing.
I think pets, like a fine wine, get better with age. Below, Sharon discusses ageism and appreciating older dogs. It’s the perfect post to share with you during Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week.
Do dogs face ageism like people? When I read how people will
drop off their dog to Animal Care and Control because the dog is old, it makes
me a little crazy.
drop off their dog to Animal Care and Control because the dog is old, it makes
me a little crazy.
Why is it so hard for some people to be empathetic? A dog
lives an entire life being your companion and buddy. Who else is that excited
to see you, every time you open the front door, whether you’ve been gone five
minutes or five hours.
lives an entire life being your companion and buddy. Who else is that excited
to see you, every time you open the front door, whether you’ve been gone five
minutes or five hours.
As we age, no one likes to feel aches and pains that come
with the advancing years. We all have to change our diet and take things a
little slower. It is the same with a dog. Why would you expect them to be any
different?
with the advancing years. We all have to change our diet and take things a
little slower. It is the same with a dog. Why would you expect them to be any
different?
Cleo isn’t a puppy and that is a good thing. We love that
she was already an adult when we adopted her. When I think back, it almost was
like cheating because she came with bonus extras. I almost felt as if we should
have paid more. An older dog more often loves to hang out with you, rather than
dashing off to sniff every new and amazing thing. This is certainly true for
Cleo.
she was already an adult when we adopted her. When I think back, it almost was
like cheating because she came with bonus extras. I almost felt as if we should
have paid more. An older dog more often loves to hang out with you, rather than
dashing off to sniff every new and amazing thing. This is certainly true for
Cleo.
Sure puppies are cute but so are old dogs. Who doesn’t love
a sweet face with a little grey around the muzzle? How adorable is it when you
see a small old dog wearing a sweater. They look almost professorial. All they
need is a little pipe and a newspaper.
a sweet face with a little grey around the muzzle? How adorable is it when you
see a small old dog wearing a sweater. They look almost professorial. All they
need is a little pipe and a newspaper.
I can only imagine the regret these people must feel after
they get home. Their dreams filled with the consequences of what they have
done. It has to be tough thinking that you couldn’t give the same level of
commitment to a relationship as a dog can.
they get home. Their dreams filled with the consequences of what they have
done. It has to be tough thinking that you couldn’t give the same level of
commitment to a relationship as a dog can.
The upside to many of these stories in San Francisco is thatwe have wonderful groups who step in and scoop up that senior dog for a new
life with people who can commit. Have you heard of Muttville? Our city has lots
of families who adore the senator or professor look in a dog.
Let me say that Cleo may be old, and now we’re dealing with
age-related issues for her but I wouldn’t trade her or these experiences for
anything. Being with her now helps me reflect on my own mortality and how I
view and treat old people. We all age and I for one appreciate having a dog in
my life who is willing to go through it all with a big happy face.
age-related issues for her but I wouldn’t trade her or these experiences for
anything. Being with her now helps me reflect on my own mortality and how I
view and treat old people. We all age and I for one appreciate having a dog in
my life who is willing to go through it all with a big happy face.
Cleo is a real looker! Thanks for sharing the info about aging, it happens.
The same can be said for senior cats. Young kittens have huge amounts of energy and can be a lot to handle. Older cats tend to not only be calmer, but also more affectionate, content to relax by your side.
Cleo is such a gorgeous girl. I have no doubt she has many long years ahead of her full of love. After living with my crazy young dog for several years, I am looking forward to her calmer senior years!
What a touching post and Cleo is so sweet! We chose to get an older cat when we went to get Milly. She wasn't that old, but certainly passed her kitten years with a couple of litters herself – 7 years on she's still has a big personality, but I can see her becoming more relaxed and happier that way.
My dog, Alex, is 12 years old. But he doesn't act like it at all! He sometimes acts younger then my 4 year old dog! He is the most dedicated dog in the world and I would not give him up for the world! He is just part of my family and I would give away my mom so why would I give away my dog. 😀
What a great and introspective post! Cleo is beautiful! They do have a way of instilling us with compassion and understanding of others. They are truly gifts.
We totally agree, that the older pets are really nice to have. Thanks for this super post about them. And they need homes so badly. Take care.
I have found that my love for each dog grows with every passing year. I absolutely cannot conceive of giving up a senior dog who has spent most of their life with me.
I have adopted an older dog, a 10-year old Lab. We got almost 4 wonderful years with him, and I loved him with all my heart. But, I'll admit, I do find it hard to adopt a dog that I know that I'll lose relatively soon. However, I'll do it again someday when we're ready for a third dog.
Take it from someone that is living with a spastic 13 week old puppy and an 8 YO dog. There is something to be said about the "fine wine" It won't bite your fingers, chew on your stuff or ruin your carpet. Older pets rock!
Kristine – Excellent point about older cats!
cate – I guess Millie was like Bella. A young unwed mother!
Garden Girl – So true! I never understand how people can drop a member of their family off at the pound.
KB – I agree. It's hard knowing that when you adopt an older animal, your time together will be shorter. However, the love makes it worth it.
Karen – Good point! I almost entitled this post "Fine Whine" just because. 🙂
Remember– pups don't stay pups long anyway! You're going to end up with an older dog anyway one day, might as well start out that way!
Great point!
Love the old dogs! They are so loving and grateful. A few years ago my mom adopted a senior dog (supposedly) to give him a good last few years. Well 6 years later and he's still with us and NOW a senior (let's hope)!
That makes SENSE! I appreciate your points of emphasizing the value of senior dogs. Well, with me I personally don't have issues regarding dog's age, I love my dog and even if he's getting older that doesn't lessens my love and value for him, in fact, that heightens!
Stacy – so great that your family has gotten so many years with him. 🙂
pets shops – Exactly… time makes the heart grow fonder!