Occasionally i get requests from people over 60 to have a dog. Most of those people have been refused dogs by other rescues for being ‘too old’.
When they come to me, I DO direct them away from puppies and younger dogs, my fear being not so much that they can’t handle them – there are some ‘old’ people waaaay fitter than ME! – but that they will die before the dog.
I have been directing older people to dogs over 5 yrs old (depending on breed/longevity) who need homes as badly, if not more cuz people want puppies, but are awesome dogs who have a long life to love someone .
I was thinking that ALL OF YOU have older relatives and friends who you didn’t know were looking for a dog and may have been refused and never told you OR want a dog but know a puppy is more than they need or want and don’t know about PETFINDER or that there are rescue organizations ther than pounds OR that they don’t have to go into a shelter and feel horrible seeing the dogs there but can go on the internet too. Maybe they don’t know that there ARE OLDER DOGS WHO NEED THEM. Middle ages or LAZY people like me should apply for these guys TOO!
Dogs i have here needing older people to love them if other people don’t want them is:
COCOA, an 8-9 yr old female chocoolate lab, med size – she can live another 5-7 yrs, BELLE, a7-8 yr old female blk lab mix, large, can go another 5-7 yrs, OCTAVIA, 9-11 yr old chihua/terrier mix, female, 10lbs who is the NICEST small dog i’ve ever seen!! never bites or even lifts a lip, not a barker, good on her legs and loving!! she can go another 8 or so years! POLLY PUGGLES 10 -12yr old pug mix, female, one back leg is gimpy but getting stronger now that she’s using it – seems she may have been crated her whole life (she & Octavia likely puppy mill breeding dogs) and she really chugqs along outside!! She SINGS like a kitten when she needs attention and ok, she is UGLY but E.T. was cute after two hours so she;’ll grow on you! she can go another 5-8 yrs. RAY - still here – 9-10 yr old blk lab, male, blind from cataracts not cancer or diabetes. Awesome dog who gets around darn good for his ‘disability’. He can go 4-6 more years too!
We will help anyone adopting these dogs with health and food advice to make them last as long as they should too!
Other ‘older’ dogs who need people – Joey, Hoss, Claudia - they’re all apprx 4-5 yrs old and have a good 10 yrs left (13 or so for the beagle) and they are calmer and loving and easier to have around – don’t need exceptional amts of exercise either!!
THis is all just thoughts but i’d really like to know what you think and if there is a market for older dogs and people and where the best place it to let seniors know we’re here with great dogs.
HAPPY CANADA DAY EVERYONE!
