By Carly Newton
That feeling of euphoria that washes over you when you take home your new puppy or kitten is surreal. This tiny and new to the world creature is now your responsibility for the rest of their life.
At first, it does not seem like a long time. Then they get bigger. Your new pet is no longer that fluffy ball of cuteness that took such great pictures for Instagram and Facebook.
Suddenly, they are 5 or 6 or 7 years old and they require more of your time and patience with them as they age.
That responsibility can be overwhelming for some people — changes in your life may make it hard to have such a bothersome pet around. Moving to an apartment that does not allow pets, a new love interest who is allergic to your long-haired dog who is always sleeping on the couch next to you, or even having a baby of your own can all be reasons why that puppy you got years ago is now an inconvenience.
So, you have made up your mind. You bring them to the shelter, and you drop them off with their favorite toy that they have slept with every night since you first got them, and you leave.
The pet that has come to depend on you for everything is now sleeping on a concrete floor in a shelter with strange people surrounding them. They prefer your couch because it feels better on their aging bones and the food the shelter serves them is not nearly as good as yours.
But you do not care.
Sadly, situations like this happen all the time. Look no further than the Facebook page, “Susie's Senior Dogs.” This nonprofit organization focuses on senior dogs and finding them new homes. It is difficult to see how many senior pets are living their golden years in a shelter. Every dog and cat should get to feel true love before they cross the rainbow bridge.
The most recent dog to appear on “Susie’s Senior Dogs” is 7-year-old Ella. Ella has spent half of her life in a shelter in Oshkosh, Wis.
“While the shelter gives Ella everything they can within their means, she is very active for her age and she doesn't get enough stimulation or exercise to satisfy her needs. Ella will thrive with a family that loves to be outside and take her on adventures that leave her happy and exhausted. She's got her hoodie on and she's ready to go,” the Facebook post read.
In the picture that is shared on the Facebook page, Ella is wearing a camo hoodie jacket while looking adoringly at the camera. It is hard to imagine why she has not been adopted yet.
Oh right, she is 7 years old.
Ella’s age may deter families from adopting her because they will not have as much time with her as they would if they adopted a puppy.
The truth is you never know how much time you have. So, adopt the senior dog.
According to the ASPCA website, approximately 6.5 million animals are brought into shelters every year. The percentage of dogs that get adopted is 48% and the percentage of cats that get adopted is 50%. The percentage of dogs that get euthanized is 20% and the percentage of cats that get adopted is 27%.
There are many senior pets that are living out their final years in a shelter who have plenty of love to give to any family: just ask Allison Rand.
In 2017, Rand had just lost her 10-year-old Yorkie-Chihuahua and she was looking to get another dog — a young dog.
But then she met Andre at the North Country SPCA in Westport, N.Y.
Andre was a 10-year-old blind Chihuahua, and he was exactly what Rand was not looking for. But she could not help herself and she adopted him.
Rand got three and a half years with Andre before he crossed over the rainbow bridge.
“People who adopt a senior dog need to know it will not be easy because the older they get, the more they need. But they are worth it. I would do it again in a heartbeat,” Rand said in our interview. “It’s been five months since I had to put Andre down and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him and miss him terribly.”
Rand wants people to know, while adopting older dogs and pets is rewarding, it is important to understand what you are getting into.
“People who adopt older dogs have to be realistic. They will be coming to the end of their life faster than a puppy. Patience and love and acceptance are important to have with a senior. Andre was blind so he couldn’t be left alone outside like a younger and sighted dog could be, so he demanded more of my time and attention,” Rand said.
Despite the extra attention her senior pet needed, Rand said that she would adopt again and wished that more people would be willing to give older pets the best life they can with their limited time.
“Andre was the best dog,” Rand said.
Comments