How senior dogs turn me into the Grinch, but in a good way!
June 14th, 2010 | Published in Dog Information, Uncategorized | 30 Comments
As my late dog Nikki started to age, it really made me appreciate the time I had with her and just how much I loved her. There’s something about a senior dog that just makes my heart grow 3 sizes larger just like the Grinch. They seem to occupy a special place in my heart like no other.
After his heart grew
From the arthritic limp to the sad eyes that are turning white due to cataracts, they bring out the best in me. Though they may be slower and can’t hear very well, my memories float back to just how feisty she was, or the times I came through the door and she jumped up and down like I was the most awesome person in the world.
Or the time we took her to the snow and the ice was sticking to her legs, but she just kept running and having a great time. And all those times when she looked at me with so much love and devotion that I swear I could see into her soul.
It’s these kinds of memories that make me want to give back as much as she gave me. If I wasn’t boarding dogs, I’d love to foster senior dogs and care for them until they go over the Rainbow Bridge (Get your tissues handy.) It would take a lot of strength to see them pass, and I applaud those wonderful people that care for senior dogs every day. They are the best of us.
Next time you find yourself wanting to add a new dog to your family, please consider a senior dog. Click on Senior Dog Rescues to find information and a rescue group near you.
Since they tend to have more medical problems, you can avoid unnecessary Veterinarian bills by feeding them holistic pet food as nutrition is the key to keeping them healthy and happy for years to come.
My dog Nikki in her last years
Of course you have to be prepared for what medically comes with an older dog such as:
Arthritis
Cataracts or losing their site
Loss of hearing
Graying and coat may become dull
Muscle mass loss
Slowing down,
and other medical conditions.
However, the good far outweigh the bad. You just needs a little more patience and a whole lot of love.
Please view this video from the Petfinder Foundation to see all the wonderful qualities senior dogs have and they are just waiting for you to take them into your heart!
June 14th, 2010 at 9:55 am (#)
Oh noooo! This post made me cry! I love senior dogs but I find it so heart breaking every time a dog dies even when it’s not mine. I admire anyone who could foster senior dogs, it will be enough of a stretch for me when my own two are old
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June 14th, 2010 at 10:02 am (#)
What a wonderful post….been years since I owned a dog, but I feel the same way about my elderly cats through the years, and I have been a better person for having had cared for and loved them!
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June 14th, 2010 at 10:16 am (#)
Hi Stephanie, I’ve never owned a cat, but we did have a Gecko for a while and I even fell in love with her! I guess it’s just the fact that they need us so much more when they’re older.
June 14th, 2010 at 10:17 am (#)
I was getting teary eyed when I was thinking about what I was going to write. I could have give so many examples of things she did when she was young, but could no longer do. It’s the Rainbow Bridge video that makes me lose it.
June 14th, 2010 at 10:27 am (#)
“… And all those times when she looked at me with so much love and devotion that I swear I could see into her soul.”
Pass the tissue please. What wonderful words and what a wonderful cause to champion.
I have had several dogs in my past all of whom live to grand old age and we helped them all in their later years to cope.
I now have a cat who is just over 15 years old and still plays like a kitten but I can see the signs that she is not. She will be loved and cared for until her time to go.
Bless you for sharing and encouraging a very just cause.
-Ron-
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June 14th, 2010 at 10:29 am (#)
So many good points for having an older dog instead of a puppy (although puppies are nice too). I notice a lot of dog owners get frustrated at the effort required in taking care of a young, vibrant canine due to their busy schedule, level of energy or commitment, etc. Perhaps even more reason for the wanna-be dog owner to head down to the local SPCA and rescue a pooch there! Thanks for this enlightening post and the wonderful video!
June 14th, 2010 at 10:58 am (#)
Thanks Ron, I really tried to just write from my heart and not edit my feelings. I could have written so much more as she was the light of my life and I miss her alot. You sounds like a great pet owner and I’m sure your pets are well taken care of. Thanks for the comments.
June 14th, 2010 at 11:00 am (#)
Hi Lee, I guess an older dog isn’t for every family, but they are so much less trouble than a puppy. Personally, I don’t think I’d ever get a puppy. We got our dog when she was 9 months old and it was perfect. I have to admit that there’s nothing like a cute puppy! Thanks for commenting.
June 14th, 2010 at 12:47 pm (#)
Great post, Chris! I especially like the pickture of your Nicki. She exudes sweetness!
My cat, Sugar, lived to be just shy of 24 years old… yes, I said 24! She was an awesome companion, and I cherish those final years together. Needless to say, her energy subsided with her age, but her soul & personality never changed.
I hope this doesn’t sound morbid, but her remains are in a beautiful box, right here on my desk. Comforting for me…
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June 14th, 2010 at 2:00 pm (#)
Great post. There are so many benefits as you point out by adopting an older pet. Same goes for cats. And older dogs come trained.
Michele C. Hollow´s last blog ..A Champion for Pit Bulls
June 14th, 2010 at 4:43 pm (#)
I wish we as a society were as aware of the beauty of aging as you are Chris! I think all that you posted about your wonderful dog also applies to our elderly. Both my Grandmothers lived with my parents before they died, and while it wasn’t always easy, it allowed us to grow up knowing them in a way we never would have if they hadn’t been there. Thanks for reminding us of the beauties of aging for all living beings!
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June 14th, 2010 at 5:51 pm (#)
I cried during this post too. We just lost our senior dog. He was with us the entire time our kids were home.When He passed it was like the end of childhood for my kids.
I loved him as a senior dog. He had been such a great companion he deserved to be treated well even when he could no longer remember to go outside to do his business.
We now have a grandpup that I adore but he is not my Spike.
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June 14th, 2010 at 6:04 pm (#)
I love puppies but not having to go through the house breaking, chewing, learning the boundaries process- priceless! About 2 years ago we adopted an adult dog. It was a great decision. We seriously considered a senior dog but we have a grueling set of stairs. (They’re getting to be a bit much for us.) If I ever get to live on the ground level again I am looking forward to adding to the family.
I totally endorse holistic pet food. Believe it or not, it is possible to have a dog that doesn’t have “dog breath”.
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June 14th, 2010 at 6:15 pm (#)
I almost couldn’t finish reading/watching this because it wrenched my heart; it made me want to go right out and adopt an older dog. I have two older cats though, so not a good idea. But I will definitely have this in mind when the time is right, and I am going to share this others I know who are considering getting puppies. Thank you for sharing this!
June 15th, 2010 at 8:41 am (#)
I know, I was crying just thinking about the post. I guess I did my job and got people to start thinking about the older dogs. Thanks for commenting.
June 15th, 2010 at 8:43 am (#)
Hi Kerry, yes, I would never get a puppy because of the things you said. Good for you for getting an older dog – 2 years is a perfect age! You’re very smart not getting a senior dog with stairs – in the end our dog couldn’t climb the stairs anymore and we really hated for her to be downstairs all along at night. In the end, that’s how it ended – her downstairs and us sleeping. She had a massive seizure and luckily we heard her fall and took her to the vet to be put to sleep. Chris
June 15th, 2010 at 8:45 am (#)
I know, I felt the same way about my dog. My kids didn’t really remember her as a young dog and as she got more decrepid , I was the only one that still loved on her as much as I could. She was my baby and I didn’t want her to think that she wasn’t loved anymore! I hope you grow to love your new dog like you did Spike.
June 15th, 2010 at 8:50 am (#)
Irene, that’s a great perspective. I think it would be the same thing as the elderly teaches you patience and tolerance. I have to admit it’s easier for me to care for an elderly pet than a human, but it’s similar. They stop eating and get skinny like my father did, and have lots of medical problems. But we can never forget that our parent and grandparents were young once and lived a full life. We tend to forget that seniors had fun and did crazy things. We seem to always see them as old and therefore not relevant. It’s very sad.
June 15th, 2010 at 8:51 am (#)
Hi Michele, I should have included cats, but my mind always goes to dogs. Yes, they come trained and best of all potty trained!
June 15th, 2010 at 8:53 am (#)
Heidi, Nikki’s remains are in a box on top of my TV in my bedroom, so don’t feel bad. I know she is gone, but I couldn’t bear to have nothing left of her. We put her collar around the box with a tuft of hair. 24 years old is a long time! OMG, she must have been very special to you.
June 15th, 2010 at 1:22 pm (#)
Chris, I haven’t cared for a senior dog before but I would think that it can be very rewarding especially if that pet have been with you since they were young. This post helps prepare me for when my own dog gets older and I look forward to having her until her later years. Thanks for the helpful post.
Anna
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June 15th, 2010 at 2:33 pm (#)
Hi Anna, I hope your dog lives to a ripe old age in good health. That’s really the key! Just love her everyday. thanks Chris
June 16th, 2010 at 9:48 pm (#)
Dear Chris, So lovely to read your compassion and love for those old dogs who have spent their best years sharing so much love, devotion and happiness. My dear dog brings so much joy into our lives, I cant imagine life without her. I think its a great idea to encourage would be adopters to share some warmth and giving with human’s best friend in their reclining years. Add color and style to those old bones with a cool raised bed a matching blankie and cuddle toys. Matching your home decor to make your dog look good and feel good in the room cant hurt either!
Jen Duchene
Home Makeover Mixtress Blending cool & cozy style.
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June 17th, 2010 at 9:34 am (#)
Spoken like a true dog lover and decorator! I couldn’t have said it better myself. Enjoy the many years you have left with your dog.
June 18th, 2010 at 10:40 am (#)
Oh Chris you touched my heart and reminded me so much of my old black lab who I lost last year. He was deaf and a bit arthritic but he gave me so much. Nearly a year on and the house still is not the same.
I love puppies but I too would take the route of getting an older dog. For any of your UK readers – the association for guide dogs for the blind often look for people to home retired guide dogs. These dogs have served their blind owners for years and deserve a really good retirement.
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June 18th, 2010 at 10:58 am (#)
Hi Marion, Good suggestion for the guide dogs. Talk about being trained! I’m sorry you lost your black lab and I don’t think we ever really get over the ones that touched us so deeply. Maybe it’s time for a new dog!!??
June 19th, 2010 at 3:05 am (#)
It doesn’t matter if we are dogs or human beings does it? When we get older we age. Love your suggestion of getting a senior dog. Holistic pet food also seems like a good idea to me.
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June 19th, 2010 at 11:35 am (#)
Hi Catarina, thanks for the comment. A Good pet food is the key to humans and animals living a long, healthy life.
June 20th, 2010 at 5:56 am (#)
Hi Chris,
As a doctor, your article is very touching. Never having a dog before made me realize for the first time when I read your article the medical problems they have – not very different than human problems.
But from a personal point of view – knowing that the heart breaking moment of your dog dying on you is so close is something I couldn’t possibly bare… I guess seeing sick old people die and those cute helpless creatures die requires different personal characters…
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June 25th, 2010 at 5:25 pm (#)
I’m sorry, I just saw your comment. Yes, it is very heartbreaking to watch them die. I also saw my mother pass away 2 years ago. Either one is very easy. Thanks Chris