Top 5 Reasons You Should Adopt A Senior Dog
Beach days.
Que “This Old Dog” by Mac DeMarco
My partner sent that song to me late one night as an apology years ago. It made me sentimental and flustered. The song lives in my head rent free, one because of how I felt the first time I heard it and two, it reminds me that my dogs are getting old. It’s a bittersweet feeling. Gratefulness and mourning all in one. Having senior dogs gives me a sense of fufillment while also leaving me in fear of that day that I’ll feel empty.
Having senior dogs is AMAZING! I’m not trying to have a sob fest of living in future anxieties and sorrows. I heard the song the other day and it made me want to share my experiences of having Maxx for over 12 years now. It’s crazy to think about. 12 YEARS! I remember our first encounter clear as day. I’ll share that story some other time. Sisi is also 12-years-old and Roxxi turns nine in May, so I have many years of experiences to share in future blog posts!
I’m here today to share the joys of having a senior dog; whether you’ve grown with your dog and raised them from a pup or if you have or are thinking about adopting a senior canine companion. Here’s a list of five reasons having an older dog is one of the greatest joys you’ll ever experience.
You’re saving a life.
Adopting any dog is saving a life since we live in a society that doesn’t value non-human life as equal to human life. Dogs often get the short end of the stick, especially breeds who have been labeled as vicious and senior dogs who end up in shelters. These dogs are usually the first to be euthanized so adopting one is literally the difference between life and death.
Older dogs are usually already trained.
No need to worry about potty training an older dog (usually). Senior dogs in shelters have usually had many homes or their caregiver has passed away, meaning these dogs understand basic communication and will let you know when they need to go potty. Senior dogs may have health conditions that cause them to use the restroom in doors (ie: Roxxi’s back issues), but they will likely still let you know in advance that they need access to the outdoors.
Temperament
Older dogs have already grown into themselves physically and mentally. If you’re adopting the dog from a shelter you won’t have many surprises once you get home. The behavior shown at the shelter is more than likely the behavior of that dog. Puppies on the other hand are full of surprises when it comes to behavior, which can be fun but also may require time and training.
Older dogs tend to be calmer.
Maxx has always been a chill dog. I actually thought he was a senior when he was a pup because of how lazy he is and his white whiskers. Sisi and Roxxi on the other hand have all of the energy in the world, so old age doesn’t necessarily mean a calm dog, but you at least get to skip the puppy phase. Puppies have endless energy and can exhaust you, whereas older dogs know when to turn it off. Think of them as human adults: They know when to have fun and when to turn it off. (Except Roxxi. She gets bursts of energy at 3 AM. We’re not sure what’s wrong with this dog! 😂)
An Everlasting Love
Adopting a senior dog gives you the opportunity to choose the personality that fits perfectly with your lifestyle. This reduces chances of your adoption not being a perfect match, although I can’t see myself not finding any dog to be perfect. (Patience, training, and love will get you there.) By adopting a senior dog you can feel great about giving them a forever home in their golden years.
