Ping!
Get your hanky out ...
Blurry screen again.
I adopt older dogs & cats
Well, just don’t expect to teach him new tricks, and you’ll be fine.
Thank you for posting.
I adopted a 13 year old Maltese in January. He could barely stand, has no teeth and his tongue hangs out the side of his mouth, ....but as he walked toward me at the pound there was his cute little black eyes and nose and a little lilt in his step that caused his ears to bounce.
I snuggled him and fed him and allowed his horrible hair cut to grow out. He’s gained two pounds and now has enough strength to go for walks and play. He is now my constant companion for as long as he lives. I love him so much!
Ping worthy
The more I am around people the more I can’t wait to get home to my 13 yo and 5 yo Labbies. Both rescues.
Oh man... where’s the kleenex box?
Lovely post. Thank you.
I got through very little of that....couldn’t do it.
My current dog & one before her were both rescued senior dogs. I hit the lottery on both - very obedient, well-trained, know how to walk on a leash, etc.
And, as many people already know, the most grateful & loyal dogs are those rescued from a pound.
Thank you for the post.
Our rescue has saved quite a few older dogs. Mine was 10 years old when she was saved and is very healthy and had extensive training. Not sure why someone gave up on her except she suffers from separation anxiety (solved that by adding another dog).
Right now there are 6 senior dogs up for adoption (one is adoption pending).
http://www.gsroc.org/2013/adoption.gsr
The vet cut out the growth, stitched her up (no anesthesia, right on the exam table) gave me antibiotics for her and was not optimistic about her recovery chances. He wasn't being cold, just realistic (and wasn't trying to increase his retirement fund from me).
She recovered just fine and in January we started a slow kill heartworm treatment. This Wednesday I took her in for an x-ray to see how bad the heartworm damage is. Her heart and lungs sound and look good, no apparent damage. She has gained 9 pounds.
I'm pleased as punch and she is a wonderful old girl. She can run like a gazelle when she wants to and really seems to be enjoying her life now.
doggieping
Hubby and I adopted an old basset who had been outside in the elements for his whole life, abandoned to a farmer by a nephew who didn’t want him after he and his wife had a baby.
Was offered the dog and after seeing him, we decided to wait as FIL was in the final stages of life and had too much on our plates. A year later, I saw him outside in the pasture as I drove by the farmer’s place. The farmer had been in a tractor accident and was again looking for a home for this 14+ year old basset. I had hubby go and talk to him and a week later, after the farmer had his nephew drive by our place, they decided we would be a good fit for his pal. We named him Otis and he didn’t know how to lay on a dog bed, eat a dog biscuit or play with a toy. When you live your whole life in a barn, sleep on the hay and have mice for friends, change can be hard. Within 6 months, he was snuggled on a HUGE dog bed, eating twice a day, filling up his dog bed with toys from his toychest, chasing butterflies and getting many snuggles from his new mommy and daddy. We knew his time was limited- being outdoors took its toll. He was well cared by his previous daddy, but time took its toll. He had congestive heart failure and the decision was made. We love him dearly and miss him. There were so many times he had a huge smile on his face and we hoped he knew how much we loved him and took it with him. I miss you, Otis. Keep chasing those butterflies!!!
The only dogs I adopt are old dogs. I feel so sorry for them and I think, “If I don’t, who will?”
People don’t realize what great dogs these old guys and girls are. I never have regretted my decisions.
The downside for some people is the medical expense inevitable in caring for them, but I am fortunate in that I can afford to pay those costs.
I got an old Airedale out of the dog pound and took her coyote hunting. We hunkered in the bushes and I started blowing the howler. She came over and stuck her face almost against mine, made her mouth into a tiny O, and started howling along. Got me laughing and when the coyote arrived the bushes were shaking. She was a great dog for a year then died of old age.
I’m trying to get hired.
I can relate to the old dog.