[fredhead]

My life in the past nine months has been crazy. Wife left, adopted daughter now living with her natural mom. Financial issues, divorce issues.

Now it’s just me and the dog. Lady is a 14 year old Lab mix, we got her from the SPCA when she was five. About all she does anymore is eat, sleep, pee and poop.

But I have a throw pillow I put on the floor to sit on. When I do that, Lady comes over and lays her head in my lap.

My best friend.

[chae]

We have 4 adorable chihuahuas. Bobble was a 5 yr old with balance problems, he wobbles when he walks. Had him for 4 years now, in that whole time he has only had one indoor accident, the first night, and I think he was just nervous and scared. Darla was 10 and Dru was 7, they were a bonded pair we got at the local rescue. They had been starved and their little ribs were sticking out. They had also never been fixed, obviously from a breeding operation. Imagine our surprise when I was so happy they were gaining weight after 3 weeks, imagine my surprise when both had litters! The moms were purebred chis, the pups, not so much. And if I ever find out who bred and dumped my girls, one of whom was 10, well, there is a reason I always have bail money on me.
Our 4th is almost a rescue. We got all the surprise pups adopted to good homes, but we kept Tiggles. He was the runt and a total sweetheart, kinda stupid, but adorable. Darla is a total love sponge, she just wants snuggled on a lap. Dru is more reserved, she’s a little lady, and she makes you work for it, she’s very skittish around men, but once she knows you, the kisses never stop. Old dogs are great, and I wouldn’t trade my babies for anything!

[CedarDave]

One by One, they pass by my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can't run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.

A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
Now my muzzle is gray, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?

My family decided I didn't belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head,
Can't justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
The younger dogs get adopted away.

When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the gray, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond this cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.

We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To you, my dear person, as long as I live.

I may be with you for a week, or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.
And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear.

[grania]

I adopted an orphan, a dog taken in by someone who couldn't take care of him. At the shelter, he was miserable and getting sickly in the pen. No one was sure of his age, but it seems hes's younger than the best-guess.

Here's a little advice a vet gave me about taking in an older dog or one of unknown background or age. Make a list of what you are and are not willing to tend to with veternary care. If you do that, giving an unwanted older dog a place in your life and heart has uncountable rewards.

I've had my "orphan" for over two years now. He's fantastic, and always a bit of a challenge. Because of his years on his own, he has a mind of his own about speed and length of walks, about valuing friendship, about being a wonderful house mate. He couldn't be more devoted and loving.

[huldah1776]

My son was recently married and moved out taking his shepherd. My rat dog is about 5 and lonely and being older myself I was just thinking this morning that we should invite an older dog into the family. Would it be unjust to take my rat dog and let her decide? she is about 12” tall and kept the young male shepherd (very tall) at bay when she wanted. Knowing how dogs have to establish alpha hierarchy, I am concerned a bit.

[verga]

Our first rescue was a seven year old Cocker. He was 15 lbs over weight and looked like a quarter keg of beer with a head on it. He had been severely abused by his previous owner. The final step occurred when the husband kicked him down a flight of stairs. He had to have a pin put in his left hind leg. The wife got rid of the dog and kept the husband. We had been in our house for three days and did not need a dog (Or so I thought.)

My wife brought him home and he slept on the floor by her side of the bed. The next morning I went to let him out and he growled at me.I reminded him that I had final say in hi staying or going. He went out side and to my chagrin he did not run away. He did his business and came right back in.

The wife went to work and we took him for a walk when she got home. we got half way around the block and there was this Pomeranian on the porch. It came off the porch and tried to get my wife. Cody got between the other dog and my wife and would not let him near her. I decided that no matter what we were keeping this dog. If he was that willing to protect my wife after that short a period of time that was all I needed to know.

It took almost a year for him to get his confidence back but when he did watch out.

There was this husky that used to run the streets and Cody was always terrified of him. One day the husky made the mistake of coming on our property. He had chased Cody's little sister into my wife's arms. Cody went right after him. I don't know if he was protecting my wife or his little sister Noiree more. Either way the husky took off like a shot never to return. The next morning I took Cody for his walk. Instead of hiding behind me when he saw the husky Cody kept on walking. When the husky saw him he crossed the street until he was well past.

Sadly we only got to have him for seven more years but he really enriched out lives.

[GizzyGirl]

We adopted an old old Corgi that blessed our household for only two years or so before she passed. It was really sad but she knew she was loved through and through in her final year and to this day, that makes me happy! So I did it again, only this time I adopted a 12 or 13 year old Beagle that was looking for love and family. I’ve had him almost 3 years now, and he’s been on the expensive side due to teeth and whatnot, but I would not have it any other way. I’m not sure what’s next, or when, but once you take in an old dog and you feel what it is like to provide a warm, happy and stable place for them to grow old(er) in... well, there’s just no turning back. I don’t know when it will be, and I hope it’s a long way off, but I am certain my next adoption will be another 10+ year old looking for a warm, happy and quiet life.

[Silentgypsy]

Verry blurry screen.

[Nuocmam]

After 67 years as a CAT person, I adopted a 6yo mutt named Sparky. His previous owner kept his space clean and kept him well fed but totally ignored him. For the last 8 years the relationship has become a question if he is my dog, am I his person or what. I think it is more of we are each other’s other! He is now slower, older and deaf but then again I am not much better physically: older, slower and hearing impaired. However, we are good company for each other!
PS: After 8 years he and Molly, my 15yo cat, at best, tolerate each other!

[glock rocks]

Both my dawgs are rescues.

My little blue healer sits in my lap for the first hour I’m home from work every day. My aussie sits at the foot of the recliner. I have been blessed.

[curmudgeonII]

The man who said that you can’t buy love never got himself a dog.

[usconservative]

Just damn, why did I click on this link? (sniff.....)