Adopting older dogs brings wisdom and love

[Boronia]

This is a no-brainer (for me anyway!)

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-16/the-benefits-of-adopting-older-dogs/8811918

Adopting older dogs brings wisdom and love

ABC Radio Hobart

By Paul McIntyre

Posted yesterday at 12:07pm

 

Photo: Adopting an older dog can give them a new lease on life. (Supplied: Kate Esser)

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When Kate Esser decided to get a companion for her dog, she thought an older friend would be a better fit than an overactive puppy.

Ms Esser adopted Nellie, a wirehaired terrier, and began what has become somewhat of a mission to give elderly canines a loving home for the last years of their lives.

 

Photo: Kate Esser says she gets more out of adopting older dogs than the dogs probably do. (Supplied: Kate Esser)

 

"For me an old dog starts at seven years old," she said.

Since adopting Nellie is 2008, Ms Esser has given a home to five older rescue dogs, her latest adoptee being a white and tan Staffordshire jack russell called Dorothy.

"Dorothy is nearly 13 and extremely relaxed about things. She's incredibly patient," Ms Esser said.

Older dogs can often be overlooked in rescue shelters, with people assuming they have been given up due to problem behaviour or just preferring the cuteness of a young puppy.

 

Photo: Dorothy the jack russell was one of Ms Esser's older adopted dogs. (Supplied: Kate Esser)

 

"Often old dogs are in a pound because their owners have died or gone into care," Ms Esser said.

"Usually within a couple of weeks I can see what their idiosyncrasies are.

"Dogs are like people — every dog is different and within a couple of weeks you understand what the dog is like and what their needs are."

Tips for adopting an older dog

• First make sure you have time for a dog. Puppies and older dogs need exercise and interaction each day.
• As dogs get older, trips to the vet can increase. Can you afford to look after an older dog if it needs medication or operations?
• Some older dogs may have bad habits they formed with their previous owner. You will need patience and time to retrain them.
• If you already have pets you will need to know how that older dog behaves around other animals.

 

Teaching old dogs new tricks

Ms Esser said she had learned that older dogs found it easier to adapt to their new home compared with puppies.

"They're incredibly easy to train as they just want to please," Ms Esser said.

"My one message is you can teach an old dog new tricks — many, many new tricks."

 

Photo: The owners of rescue dogs found in shelters have often died or gone into care. (Supplied: Kate Esser)

 

While an older dog may be easier to train and less hassle than an energetic puppy, there is the downside that the death of an old dog comes much sooner.

"You know that upfront," Ms Esser said.

"You accept it, you have a cry and you reflect on how happy you made them and how good the end of their life was."

Ms Esser said though she cried at the death of each of her old pals, she still got more from having them in her life.

"I probably get more out of it than the old dogs."

 

Edited August 16, 2017 by Boronia

[BarbedWire]

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Edited August 17, 2017 by sarsplodicus

[Scottsmum]

As much as I loved Scottie - i think my next pooch  will have a bit more milage on it. I'd totally have another senior but need a bit longer with my next

[Papillon Kisses]

That's such a lovely article! Thank you for sharing it.  

[ricey]

Yay! The old dogs can be the best dogs, no doubt. I have just adopted an 8 year old "Amstaff" (old family red nosed red LOL) and she has brought such joy into my life, and started to fill the hole left when Hobbes my tiger brindle pit bull died. This poor girl had spent 2 years in rescue and usually in kennels as no one wanted to give her a go or deal with her issues. FFS! This is a dog that is perfect with humans, including very small humans, but gets very scared around other dogs. Not that hard in the scheme of things really. As much as I would like to get a puppy and raise it right with appropriate socialisation and training, the adult and senior dogs are more my thing. As to whether this brings me wisdom as outlined in the original article, that is for others to judge. But yes, they help me feel loved.

 

ricey