Loving and Learning from the Older Dog
By: Cindy Jamieson
Date: 27 February 2010
I’ve been helping families find the right dog for over twelve years. During visits to their home I always ask, “Have you ever considered an older pet?” For the most part the answer is “no”. But occasionally someone will say “yes” and I know I have found a person who might soon know the true meaning of “rescue”. For those of us who adopt older animals, we feel that they are one of the best kept secrets in the pet world.
WHY WOULD AN ANIMAL BE RETURNED?
These older animals have often experienced separation from more than one family over the years through no fault of their own. Sometimes it’s a divorce, sometimes it’s finances, and sometimes the family has to move. There are many reasons a pet will be returned. Many of those reasons have nothing to do with bad behaviour on the animals part.
They leave these homes after being there for years and loving their owners unconditionally. They don’t understand why they’re being given up. They only know that all of a sudden everything is new and it can be scary for them--but all they want is another family to love and to be loved.
THE EASE OF TRANSITION INTO YOUR HOME
One of the most wonderful aspects of adopting an older dog is the ease of transition into a new home. Remember…they have lived in a home before, so they have learned what is expected of them. In a very short time they know where their food bowl is located, where the door is to go outside, and where their bed will be. Very little time is required for them to become comfortable in their new surroundings.
ONCE YOU HAVE ADOPTED AN OLDER DOG, YOUR LIFE IS FOREVER CHANGED
There is no way around feeling changed once you know the love of any older animal. Something changes in your head and your heart. You begin to see the world through new eyes. You see their strength as they recover from yet another move and wonder how you can be more like them. You see their courage to love again and want to be more like them. You see their loyalty and wonder why the world can’t be more like them. You see them persevere when the cold mornings make it a little harder to get up.
Then you realize… it really is them teaching us…not us teaching them.
Loving and Learning from the Older Dog
Loving and Learning from the Older Dog
By: Cindy Jamieson
Date: 27 February 2010
I’ve been helping families find the right dog for over twelve years. During visits to their home I always ask, “Have you ever considered an older pet?” For the most part the answer is “no”. But occasionally someone will say “yes” and I know I have found a person who might soon know the true meaning of “rescue”. For those of us who adopt older animals, we feel that they are one of the best kept secrets in the pet world.
WHY WOULD AN ANIMAL BE RETURNED?
These older animals have often experienced separation from more than one family over the years through no fault of their own. Sometimes it’s a divorce, sometimes it’s finances, and sometimes the family has to move. There are many reasons a pet will be returned. Many of those reasons have nothing to do with bad behaviour on the animals part.
They leave these homes after being there for years and loving their owners unconditionally. They don’t understand why they’re being given up. They only know that all of a sudden everything is new and it can be scary for them--but all they want is another family to love and to be loved.
THE EASE OF TRANSITION INTO YOUR HOME
One of the most wonderful aspects of adopting an older dog is the ease of transition into a new home. Remember…they have lived in a home before, so they have learned what is expected of them. In a very short time they know where their food bowl is located, where the door is to go outside, and where their bed will be. Very little time is required for them to become comfortable in their new surroundings.
ONCE YOU HAVE ADOPTED AN OLDER DOG, YOUR LIFE IS FOREVER CHANGED
There is no way around feeling changed once you know the love of any older animal. Something changes in your head and your heart. You begin to see the world through new eyes. You see their strength as they recover from yet another move and wonder how you can be more like them. You see their courage to love again and want to be more like them. You see their loyalty and wonder why the world can’t be more like them. You see them persevere when the cold mornings make it a little harder to get up.
Then you realize… it really is them teaching us…not us teaching them.