Five Reasons Why Old Dogs Rock

Tuesday, October 2, 2012 - 11:00am
Old Dog Laying Down

You know it’s true: Senior dogs are the best. As much as we can’t resist puppies, there is something about an old pooch that really makes our hearts sing. In honor of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, we’re counting down the top five reasons why old dogs rock.

1. What you see is what you get. Older dogs are open books—from the start, you’ll know important things like their full-grown size, personality and grooming requirements.
2. Seniors are super-loving. Adopted dogs already in their golden years are devoted and grateful. They create an instant bond that cannot be topped!
3. They settle in quickly. Older dogs have been around the block and already learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack. They’ll be part of the family in no time!
4. Seniors enjoy easy livin’. Couch potato, know thyself. Consider adopting a laid-back canine retiree rather than a high-energy young dog who needs constant monitoring.
5. They’re CUTE! Need we say more?

Did you adopt a senior dog? Tell us about your elder states-pooch in the comments below. Then check out In Praise of Older Dogs, our collection of member stories about senior dogs and the pet parents who love them.

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Comments

Tue, 10/02/2012 - 22:33 — john avant (Visitor)
i am in new Orleans where te terrier

Mon, 10/08/2012 - 01:26 — Karen Davis (Visitor)
I know this breed well, it's a rat terrier affectionately known as a "ratty". These dogs are extremely loyal, highly intelligent, loves to please, not a high maintenance dog as they are short haired. Very easily trained, loves people, easy to travel with. I wouuld take this guy in a heartbeat but currently have 5 and a rescue. I have 1 ratty and 5 teddies. Teddies are Teddy Rosevelt terriers which are shorter legged and weigh less than a ratty. These are not yappy little dogs but only bark when something or someone is not supposed to be in their territory. They are also wonderful for keeping the mouse population at bay as well as alerting you to other unwanted critters. I sincerely highly recommend this breed as they will fit in for any type family from single people to seniors & everything in between.

Tue, 10/02/2012 - 22:33 — john avant (Visitor)
i am in new Orleans where te terrier

Thu, 10/04/2012 - 23:46 — rochelle (Visitor)
I have tried everything I can to adopt a rescue Doberman. I know this breed best and have had two from babies until one passed on at age 18 from old age. My next one lived until age 7 passed on from spinal tumor

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 10:03 — Andrew (Visitor)
You can find Doberman looking for homes on Petfinders.com. I just did a search on that site and it listed 53 in/near Louisiana including a bunch in the Baton Rouge Shelter. Adopt a rescue Doberman! Good luck! http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?animal_type=Dog&pet_breed=Doberman+Pinscher&location=Louisiana&distance=0

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 09:41 — Jeanne Piehl (Visitor)
I adopted a 9 year old German Shepherd female who was the best dog ever. It took a few days for her to realize this was her new home but when we bonded, it was a great partnership. Bailey was a great watchdog and my constant protector. She had a stroke when she was 10 but did live 4 more years. She was a loyal pal to the end.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 16:27 — Stephanie (Visitor)
I also adopted a 10 year old german shepherd. She lived to 14 and it was the best 4 years of her life and mine. She was wonderful. I wouldn't trade those 4 years with her for anything. I always get seniors - they're the best!

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 09:43 — Darryl (Visitor)
We adopted an 8 year old puppy mill breeder pug mom, she was the greatest dog that ever lived!!! We had her for almost 9 years:-)

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 10:41 — Jamie Aitchison (Visitor)
We adopted a puppy mill breeding pug, too! She is the cutest, most loyal dog I've ever known. It's been nothing short of amazing to watch her transform from a timid shell of a dog (unsure what to do with grass or toys) to a silly, playful little love bug!

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 09:44 — Karla (Visitor)
I adopted a 11 year old poodle two years ago, it's been one of the best experiences I've ever had... seeing Peke enjoying her bed every single night like it's something new, jumping as a puppy when I arrive home even thought she mas more than one health issue... you get to learn a lot from an adopted old dog, it helps you to become grateful and to see the life in a different way.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 09:46 — Bonnie (Visitor)
Gypsy Rose face caught my eye on Petfinder. She was surrendered by her family after being with them her whole life because she had a few accidents in the house. I picked her up last night and what a beautiful lovable girl she is! Her families loss is my gain as I could ask for a sweeter girl!

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 10:12 — marcia (Visitor)
Just in case this might help, I have 2 older large female dogs who had incontinence issues. My vet prescribed PPA/Proin to help and it did help alot. Maybe Gypsy Rose could be helped too? I'm no expert, but thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. Best of luck with your new girl.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 09:47 — Diana (Visitor)
My friend runs a non-kill shelter and so she receives many requests to take in dogs. When she got a call from the volunteers at the NJ SPCA about Rigatoni, who had been dumped because he "didn't have enough spunk" at 13 years old, she gave him his last home. He's not the prettiest dog, but man does he have personality. He lumbers along at a snails pace, but if you leave food out, watch him climb a picnic table to steal what he can with the grace of a cat. His face is grizzled, his legs are bowed but his heart is mighty. We are lucky to him in our lives for these last few years

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 09:56 — Christina Burz (Visitor)
I adopted Max three years ago when he was 9. His family had given him up to a kill shelter because they said "he was too lazy"! He's a wonderful companion. I'm perfectly happy that he sleeps late in the morning rather than getting up at the crack of dawn; that he's content to play with his toys for a few minutes rather than nudging me constantly; and that he only needs to walk around the block once rather than insisting on a mile-long hike. I'm old too so we're perfectly suited!

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 09:58 — Maria (Visitor)
My Australian Cattle dog is 12. She was a shelter dog on death row when a local rescue took her into their program when she was 2 years old. I love her with all my heart and can't imagine life without her over the past 10 years. I look forward to life with her through her golden years.

Tue, 10/09/2012 - 21:47 — Ginger Goodrich (Visitor)
I too adopted a wonderful Aussie Cattle Dog from a local no-kill when she was 2. She's 9 now. I've adored her from the first second that I spied those radar-dish ears and intelligent eyes at the shelter...and the older she gets, the more I cherish her. I feel so blessed to get to share my life and home with this older gal, and she has enough character and personality for a dozen dogs! She's playful, silly, and sweet as heck--all the great characteristics of any young dog, without all the potty training and that endless drive to go-go-go! A nice stroll each morning and all the love I can give her is all she wants, and she doesn't mind that I work full time--she's just happy to snuggle up whenever I get home and watch tv with me. I will never adopt a puppy again, not as long as there's sweet senior dogs in need of a home. And, to the other cattle dog fan: I read a couple of years ago that the oldest dog on record was an Aussie Cattle Dog--who was 28 years old at the time of the article! I can only hope that mine lives that long too.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 10:03 — diane (Visitor)
I recently rescued an 11 year old Chocolate Lab. The owners were being evicted and were going to take him to a shelter. From the scars all over his body I believe he was a puppy mill dog but what a mush he is and loves my other dogs.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 10:07 — marcia (Visitor)
Over the last 15 years I have owned 7 what I call "re-treads". The youngest of them was 4 when he came. I have had 4 collies that came when they were 9 or 10 years young. The maltese that still graces our home came 5 years ago when she was 8 and being released from a puppy mill. The latest collie came in January and he is an absolute delight. Also took a friend's 12 year old Jack Russell for about a year when they were relocating. Love(d) them all and happy to take the seniors who have manners, love and a great personality.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 10:16 — Julie (Visitor)
I adopted little Peanut from a rescue when she was 10 yrs old. We instantly bonded and she was such a loving little girl. Unfortunately she died very unexpectedly at 12 years old. My heart was broken but, after a while I wanted to adopt another older dog because Peanut showed me how special older doggies are, how loving. So I adopted Ashie at 11 years old. She was dropped off at a kill shelter but taken in by a rescue group and I found her through PetFinder. She is also a special, loving little girl. I have discovered that older dogs DO ROCK. It's as if they have this innate sense that they have been blessed with a second chance at life and their love is so encompassing. And, there is no house training, no shredding of paper all over the house, no chewing of shoes, LOL. I will now always look for the older doggies who need a loving home because I have gotten back the love a hundred times over.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 10:30 — Richard (Visitor)
I have adopted two old dogs and one is still with me and they are the best. The best thing about adopting them is that they are house trained and give you all the love you can ask for.My last 4 dogs have been adopted and I will always adopt until I die. It is the best feeling in the world to give these dogs a new life.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 10:31 — sami smith (Visitor)
I adopted a 6 year old collie/lab who was "unadoptable" and turned in to shelter because she did not like children...believe she was abused... She trained and became a therapy dog for children, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and grieving Hospice Center for children. Rescue dogs, making a difference, one paw at a time!

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 10:36 — Phoebe (Visitor)
Seniors are the best! My Maggie Mae, who is featured in your "In Praise of Older Dogs, passed away last year at the age of 18, and we miss her so much. In 2008, I adopted Marie, another senior dachshund who was found wandering the streets, ill and emaciated. She went on to become a two-time cancer survivor but unfortuately lost her courageous battle just seven weeks before we lost Maggie. My 7 year old dachshund Venice now has two new doxie "sisters" - Farrah, who is about 13 and is also a former stray; and Peanut, a formerly abused 10-year-old. Venice and Farrah join me at work every day, and Peanut is doing a great job learning his "office manners" so he will be able to join us soon. I encourage everyone to adopt a senior - nothing matches the love of a senior dog for his or her rescuer!

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 10:37 — Jennifer Akers (Visitor)
I volunteer at a dog rescue and ended up adopting a 12/15 year old cocker/golden retriever mix, he is so darn sweet and follows me everywhere I go. He was an easy addition to the other 2 in my pack as he gets along with everyone :) I dream of doing a senior dog rescue someday!

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 10:48 — Shannon (Visitor)
I was looking for an older dog to adopt when I went to the APL after seeing a picture of a small gray poodle that they took in after he was dumped at the city kennel. When they received him, he had rotten teeth that needed removed, an infected eye they removed and he was also neutered at that time. After everything this little dog had gone through, I knew I wanted to save him. So I adopted Monocle, the one-eyed wonder dog. My 8-year-old terrier mix has become his protector and Monocle has given him company while I'm at work. I will always adopt senior dogs from now on. It makes me happy when Monocle trots around following me. It's been the best decision I have ever made.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 11:03 — Sherry Capehart (Visitor)
I wish EVERYONE, just once in their life, could have the wonderful experience of a dog like, Pogo. He was a 7 yr old Bichon mix. He was the most loving, well manored dog I ever had. My whole neighborhood loved that dog. He was one of those dogs that just knew what a good life he had and was always by my side. I had him for just 5 short years (cancer) but what a loving, rewarding expierence. I've continued to have older shelter dogs. What a blessing they can be!

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 11:05 — Leslie Miller (Visitor)
I have 2 11 year old shelter dogs, 1 9 year old foreclosure dog and a 10 year old hospice foster. Old dogs rule. I also have a 9 year old guinea pig that I got from the shelter 8 years ago. He just keeps going. He is on his 4th companion

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 11:18 — Rachel (Visitor)
I adopted an 8-year-old dog 5 years ago. Still going, just a little slower and greyer. We bonded immediately! He has never given me a lick of problem, and I adore him.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 11:23 — bev (Visitor)
My 2 adopted rescues (older dogs) are certainly not couch potatoes! They thrive on going to the park and following their sniffers (both hounds). Just because they are older does not mean they just want to lie around the house. I don't believe they had ever been to a park in their long lives, and now as seniors, they go 4-5 times a week. They have a new lease on life, and they seem to know it! Older dogs DO ROCK!!!

Mon, 10/08/2012 - 16:23 — Cat (Visitor)
I agree. My 8-10 year old terrier mix (formerly from a hoarding case) has lots of energy when she thinks she is going for walk. Though I miss her early months when she kept watching me trying very hard to make me happy, staying close, and going where I wanted to go. Now she can get so stubborn and sometimes really hold her ground till she gets to go in the direction she wants to go. She has certainly made sure I get a lot more exercise than I had been getting up till I adopted her. I have to admit I hadn't planned correctly for the cost of owning a dog. She does very well inside considering inside a home was all she new for who knows how many years.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 11:40 — Richard Andrews (Visitor)
After being without a dog for nearly eight years we decided we were ready again. We had 3 criteria: 1. Shelter dog. 2. At least 5 years old. 3. 30-40 pounds. Two years ago, we found Emma at the Brighton Animal Shelter - a great organization. She met all the requirements and then some. We think she's a beagle-lion mix. She is a great traveler, flexible and adaptable, loves other dogs, and is wonderful with people. We often wonder who benefitted most from the adoption - Emma or us. We think we all came out equally well.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 11:42 — sue wheataley (Visitor)
Just adopted a 10 year old hound from a shelter in West Va. What a joy. She is so sweet and lovable and a couch potato. Who knew she would bring such joy into my life. I'm a senior too so we get along just fine.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 11:51 — Kathy Kormos (Visitor)
I adopted two senior dogs 2y yrs ago and everyone asks if they are puppies. Jenny is 16much and Junior is 13. I am a senior too, and the love is as strong as when we were all in our prime. Regular vet exams is one reason for their vitality.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 11:51 — Kathy Kormos (Visitor)
I adopted two senior dogs 2y yrs ago and everyone asks if they are puppies. Jenny is 16much and Junior is 13. I am a senior too, and the love is as strong as when we were all in our prime. Regular vet exams is one reason for their vitality.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 11:55 — Pat Mollohan (Visitor)
We took in an older dog two years ago. Her name is Molly and she is a golden retrieve. She was 11 when we got her. Owners really just didn't want to be bothered anymore with her and they were going to take her to the shelter, where due to her age and hip issues we were sure she would be put down. Needless to say Molly is thriving and just loving being with us, and three other dogs!!! We are so blessed to have her in our lives. We all love you Molly.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 11:58 — Brenda Reynolds (Visitor)
My family took in a elder pitbull that had been neglected her whole life. And what a perfect little angel. You couldnt aske for a better fun loving quite little dog. She is loving, she is house trained,likes walks and gets tired much quicker then my 1 yr old pitbull. I actually am looking forward to my 1 yr old gettnig older. We had to put alot into getting Miss Zena health, but she has been worth every minute of it. She also never messes with the cats or her chihuahua brothers. It been awsome.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 12:28 — Theresa (Visitor)
I have two senior DOgs, My Sammy is 11 and Alfie is 8 or 9. I was fostering Alfie and fell so in Love with him that I adopted him. These two Boys are my best friends. Even though they are seniors they dont act like it. They Love to go on walks when its not to hot out and get so excited when we pull up to the park. We spread out our blanket and stay at the park for a couple of hours, walking around meeting new people and pets. I cannot even imagine my live without my two boys. I will now only foster the Dogs that are the oldest and that have been at the shelter the longest, They are so darn greatful, and its like they know that you saved them and are so darn greatful. I Love my Old guys and I know they Love me.... Yes, senior Dogs do Rock

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 12:30 — Jean Doby (Visitor)
I adopted a mini doberman after she had her last liter of puppies. She is old and getting fat. I have a fenced in back yard so she has plenty of room to roam. She was ready to be put down when I got her and she has really bonded with my 3 other small dogs and my brother. She does not like to be out of sight of my brother. She is the most loving and caring dog I have ever seen and still has some spunk to her. My bro and I love her so very much.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 12:35 — Natalie White (Visitor)
I adopted a 16 year old Minpin named Petey last year from a couple taking him to the shelter because they didn't have time for him anymore. It was the best decision I never made!! He is deaf, partially blind, arthritic, hunch-backed, and in the beginning stages of congestive heart failure but he is the greatest little man. I don't know how he gets up outa his little bed every day but he does. I would trade in all 5 of my other dogs for 5 more Peteys. :)

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 12:49 — melissa brady (Visitor)
We adopted/rescued a 13yr. Old maltese/chihauha mix who was in bad shape. Deaf,blind,matted,rotted teeth, toes curled under and borderline kidney failure. After she was all cleaned up she was the most gratful,devoted dog we ever had. Our kids loved her and she was full of pep. She went everywhefe with our family. She only lived a year and a half but we know that was the happiest time of her life and she died happy! It was a very extra sad day for my whole family! I have a 2 other purebred dogs that we purchased but we said from now on it will always be a recued older dog! They are the best! We miss our little dog and one day we will adopt another older shelter dog.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 12:51 — Gina (Visitor)
Older dogs do indeed rock! I adopted Joey at the tender age of 12. He lived in a cage for the first 12 years of his life. When I got him, he was deaf and had cancer. He joined my pack of 5 and settled in very nicely. He only had 10 months to live, but he was pampered until the end. A very loving little boy. Mitzi was 10 when she joined my family when her elderly owner died. The same with Parker. He was 9. Casey was thrown out of his house to make room for a new puppy. He was perhaps one of the sweetest and silliest of all my dogs. Pia was 6 when her family tossed her out like a bag of garbage. She lived for another 8 years with me and was so sassy and sweet that I miss her to this day. I don't have dogs in my family now, and I miss them terribly. I do however, have 6 fantastic cats that were strays or ferals that I adopted.Please adopt older dogs and cats.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 13:27 — Betsy Kruckenberg (Visitor)
I'm like everyone else, puppies are so cute but there is something very special about older dogs. I have adopted several older dogs and they are so sweet. When you adopt an older dog you don't know how many years you will have to share with them, but there is great satisfaction in the love and devotion they share with you, however long you share your lives together.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 13:30 — Roxanne (Visitor)
I just want to thank all these kind people for giving the older dogs loving homes. I lost my old dog 3 years ago and I have never felt such grief. He was a shelter dog on death row when I adopted him. We had 11 years together and I've never had a better companion.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 14:01 — mc (Visitor)
I couldn't agree more. I managed at a dog shelter for a period and i came to really love the old dogs out of that experience. they were attentive, smart, and easy to communicate with. they had been around long enough to get human body language. good sense of humor too on many of the old guys. you can teach old dogs plenty of new tricks. i will never adopt anything but older dogs. puppies are really overrated.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 14:10 — John Rubano (Visitor)
We adopted Rosie from the Arkansas Valley ASPCA in Colorado when she was 10 years old. She is the sweetest most loving dog we have ever owned. She is now 14, still going strong, and she thinks she is 2! She plays with and throws around a floppy toy every day, and she loves to go for walks every day. We have happily provided her with her "retirement home" and she has returned our love 10 fold!

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 15:23 — Cindi Saunders (Visitor)
We adopted a 13 year old dog and a 10 year old dog and they have been absolytely marvelous! Unfortunately the 13 year old only lived for about 2 years but we enjoyed her enormously and she had a great bag of tricks! The 10 year old is now 13--a very loving and well-behaved young lady. We couldn't ask for a better friend.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 15:50 — carla brown (Visitor)
i became the proud owner of 'piglette' (formely bella) when she was 12 years old. her former owner just got tired of her and wanted her gone - sigh. she is a cross of a j.r. / chih. and although i am partial to larger dogs - she has been nothing more than a snuggle bug and has a non-asssuming character; just a sweet heart. today, she is 16 yrs old, deaf and slowly going blind but i cherish all the times we have together. she's an amazing dog!!!

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 16:19 — Sophie (Visitor)
Because their wise cute looks that get them anything they wish. Aren't scared to learn new tricks and such a friend that hard to let go of. xx :))

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 16:57 — Arleen (Visitor)
I adopted at 10 1/2 year old Chihuahua named Paco who came into the shelter I volunteer at as a euthanasia request. I am grateful to the shelter that they took a chance on him and he was available for adoption. He was the cutest thing and I soon fell in love. The shelter was kind enough to cat-test him for me and that was all I needed for him to move in with me and my feline family. I'm ever so grateful for Paco -- he's a small guy with a great big heart!

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 16:58 — Paul (Visitor)
I rescued a 12.year old siberian husky. i nhad just put two dogs down two weeks before and had no intention of anyother one but my son wanted a shepard and when we went to pick him up there was this pretty husky in the corner. I called her and she came right over and that was that. She had a tumor on her stomach which I had removed and bad teeth which we had taken care of. She is now 15 and one of the sweetest dogs that ever owned me

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 17:19 — Kay Aszman (Visitor)
While I was vol for our local shelter 4 yrs ago, I found my current squeeze, an 8? yr old spaniel-mix. EVERYONE, including me, says she is the sweetest dog they've ever met. She was & is exactly what she appeared to be at the time, a gentle soul who just wants to please.

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