It’s a typical early evening at the park, you’ve taken your dog for their daily exercise. Your dog runs off to play with another dog. You realise it’s getting late- and call your dog… but the young pup turns selectively deaf. He/ she is enjoying themselves and has no interest in listening to you….
These teenagers of the dog world- adolescent dogs are entertaining, loving and balls of inexhaustible energy. Time, patience and understanding are key to handling these dogs as pets. Not to mention the inordinate energy and physical capacity needed to keep up!
Looking for a sedate well behaved dog? Maybe what you need is a senior dog, also known as second chance dogs. The advantage? Most of them have a quiet wisdom and calm energy.
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Senior dogs and Retirees
“…...we found effects of both loneliness and social isolation on physical function limitations, on happiness, on one’s sense of optimism, on one’s sense of purpose in life,..”
How social isolation, loneliness can shorten life, Alvin Powell, The Harvard Gazette, Oct, 2023
Retirement comes with a new found freedom but also a sudden unexpected loneliness. The end of a daily routine – packed with interactions with people, busy streets, traffic, schools, kids, an unwritten camaraderie which abruptly disappears.
The solitude of retirement (even for couples) is overwhelming. Humans are living longer and even with an explosion of ‘connectedness’ through social media and the internet, human connection is declining rapidly. Within households individuals are more focused on devices than people. We realise that living amongst or with spouses or family members is not the answer to feeling connected.
But dogs, they still win the internet and are the magic which can pull us away from our devices into the outdoors and back to the joy of interactions with nature and each other. No matter what age you are, dogs provide a quiet companionship and senior dogs are tranquil companions without huge physical demands.
4 positive aspects of owning a senior dog
- Pets make us feel less alone and join us to associations and communities.
- Dogs give people purpose and lift emotional states
- Senior dogs require less energy from pet owners
- Adopting a senior dog gives them a comfortable and peaceful environment in the sunset of their lives
Senior pets in senior homes are gaining popularity across the world. Mature animals match the energy levels of a mature community.
Age plays an important role in the decision making. Young families often take on pups because rationally the people outlive the pets. So while you may worry about your pets welfare after your demise, an older dog is already in the sunset of theirs.
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Adopting a senior dog- the better choice for a family?
There is no definitive yes or no, each family has its own dynamic, needs and real life circumstances. A family with very young children, or infants may benefit from the presence of a calmer senior dog. The demands of a puppy and human infant can be overwhelming.
For teens and young children, a senior dog can have a calming effect. In our hyper wired world, where children as well as adults are bombarded with an overdose of information and being on call practically 24×7, a senior quiet dog can be just the slow down they need.
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Senior Dogs and known behavioural traits
In the case of senior dogs it is easier to know their personalities. They have matured into their personalities so there are fewer surprises along the way. While there are numerous anecdotal stories of senior dogs fully embracing their second chance in a happy home, these dogs are not destructive nor do they require the constant attention a younger pup needs.
Veterinary and Medical Costs
Adopting and caring for a senior dog comes with immense joy but also with responsibility. Financial needs of senior pets can be high, if you are on a budget, be sure to share this vital information with the shelter/ organization. One of the advantages of taking in an older dog is that in most cases, their medical conditions and histories are known.
Puppies are cute, but hard work
Puppies are bundles of inexhaustible energy, entertaining and loveable, but like human infants need time and care. A puppy brings with it a long time commitment, on average for 10-12 years. On the other hand, senior dogs, many of whom are abandoned, are often content with a comfortable loving home.
Maturity comes with age, for human beings and animals. If you have a young family and a hectic work schedule, adding a puppy to the mix means neither you nor your new pup will have the time to know each other.
Photo by Sarah Chai: https://www.pexels.com/photo/baby-lying-down-on-the-bed-7282828/
Bringing home a senior dog is an emotional decision, we know it is for limited days. Because maybe somewhere in the recess of our minds, is the hope that someone will care for us at the end of our days instead of leaving us to ‘carry on living’ their own lives…
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