Adopting Older Dogs

With their cute, wiggly bodies, natural inquisitiveness, and penchant for mischief, puppies are almost irresistible.  Almost.

Puppies are also a huge challenge.  They need house training.  They must learn that “no” means “stop it,” not “keep going!”  As they teeth, they chew everything – your furniture, your favorite shoes, even you – with their super sharp, needle-like teeth. 

If you are ready to do the work and prepared for many setbacks and frustrations, a puppy is right for you.  Some of us are not so adopting an older dog is the way to go.

Gracie was three (we think) when we adopted her.  She was already housetrained.  That was about the extent of her training, though.  She has her own set of challenges which have been chronicled in great detail in this blog.

Brianna, the dog on the front page of our website this week, was adopted by a friend when she was 10 years old.  She had horrible dental issues and has some challenges with housetraining from time to time, given her age.  However, she is a sweet dog who has brought a lot of happiness to our friend.

Adopting an older dog can help you to skip the worst of the puppy behavior.  It is not smooth sailing, though.  You may have behavioral issues to overcome.  You still may need to address the housebreaking issue, although it might be a tad easier.  Dogs older than 1 year have the physical capability to “hold it,” unlike a puppy’s small bladder. 

If you are an active person, you have an almost instant companion.  Depending upon the health of your older dog, he or she may be able to join you on long hikes or runs right away.  Puppies usually are not physically capable of long hikes.  They tire quickly.  As I learned with my Dalmatian, you will then be forced to carry your little buddy back to your house or car.

When you think about adopting your next best friend, consider an older pet.  Unfortunately, a lot of the dogs and cats in shelters are older than one year.  Often, it is not their fault.  Maybe they lost that “cuteness” factor when they were no longer puppies or kittens.  Maybe the family decided to get a puppy, so the 10-year old was kicked to curb.  Whatever the reason, they deserve a second look.  An older dog might fit perfectly into your lifestyle.  Adopt the older dog – and go back to the shelter from time to time and play with the puppies to get your fix.

Rescue Mommy

Kiki is an Old Lady

We know Kiki is old.  It seems she has been a part of our household forever.  She is so active, though.  Unlike a lot of old kitties, she does not spend the entire day sleeping.  She will patrol the house.  She will snuggle in your lap if Gracie is not being too difficult about it.  She carries around her “baby,” a little stuffed toy that she has always regarded as a kitten.  She still jumps onto the kitchen counter, albeit via the bar stool and then onto the counter. 

Her coat is black on top, with white underneath.  She is a walking Oreo cookie.  Over the last few months, we have noticed more gray hair in her face.  That’s it.  Otherwise, you would not guess she is an old cat.

I finally decided to look up Kiki’s medical records.  Because she is a rescue kitty, we do not know her exact age.  When we adopted her, the vet estimated she was about two or three years old.  We thought she was 1.5 years old.  If we use our guess, then Kiki is 18 years old.  We were stunned. 

We hope we are not jinxing ourselves by talking about how fit and healthy she is at 18.  The point of this post is simple.  If you are thinking about adopting an older cat, consider Kiki’s case.  Just because a cat is 10 years old, it does not mean that you will enjoy the kitty’s presence for only a couple of years.  That senior cat could live many, many more years.

As always, we want our furry children to live forever.  We wish Kiki continued health and hope we can look forward to more years with our feisty grand dame. 

Rescue Mommy

The Senior Years

As your pet ages, your vet may recommend semi-annual visits. If you can afford it, I recommend it. I also recommend that you ask for a CBC (complete blood count) at least once per year, preferably at each visit. The test will be costly, so ask the price before you request it. Again, it is a personal recommendation from someone who lost two dogs recently to cancer.

The CBC test can sometimes highlight hidden problems with vital organs. Pets do not always exhibit obvious signs of serious illness. If you can catch a disease earlier, you might be able to avoid pain and additional medical bills later.

In addition to more frequent vet visits, you can expect your pet’s health to decline. Even the most well-cared-for pet will have issues. Even before the cancer diagnosis, Perdy had recurring issues with ear infections that resulted in costly medicines and repeated vet visits.

In this stage of your pet’s life, you will see the value of having a good relationship with your vet. You always have options in the care of your beloved companion. A good vet will help you make the right decision for your friend.

Rescue Mommy