With nearly 10 million animals entering local shelters across the country each year, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month helps focus attention on the pet population problem we face across the nation. With the holidays fast approaching, be sure to encourage people who are looking for a "best friend" to check out the millions of dogs waiting for a new home at a local shelter.
The Muttropolis Online Pet Park features wonderful adoption stories of pets young and old that have been united with loving families. Have a story to share? Visit the Adoption Stories group at our Muttropolis Online Pet Park!
We Muttropolitans love older doggies. In fact, our Muttropolis "Bored of Directors" was founded by a bunch of grey-muzzled four-legged's that had more personality than we have adjectives for. That said, we really want to encourage fellow-dog lovers to consider adopting an "older" doggie, as there are so many wonderful benefits. Courtesy of the ASPCA, here is a list of the top ten benefits!
Top 10 Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog
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. If you’re not
so into surprises, an older dog is for you!
2. Easy to Train
Think you can’t teach an
old dog new tricks? Think again! Older dogs are great at focusing on
you—and on the task at hand—because they’re calmer than youngsters.
3. Seniors are Super-Loving
Those who
have adopted older dogs have told us how devoted and grateful they are. It's an
instant bond that cannot be topped!
4. They’re Not a 24-7 Job
Grownup dogs don’t
require the constant monitoring puppies do, leaving you with more
freedom to do your own thing. If you have young children, or just value
your “me time,” this is definitely a bonus.
5. 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!
6. Fewer Messes
Your floors, shoes and
furniture will thank you for adopting a senior pooch! Older dogs are
likely to already be housetrained—and even if they’re not, they have
the physical and mental abilities to pick it up really fast (unlike
puppies). With their teething years far behind them, seniors also are
much less likely to be destructive chewers.
7. You Won’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
There
are those who yearn for a doggie friend of their own, but hold back
because they worry what might happen in their lives in the years to
come. And they are wise to do so—a puppy or young dog can be anywhere
from an eight- to 20-year responsibility, which is not appropriate for
the very elderly or those with certain long-term future plans.
Providing a loving home for a dog in her golden years is not a less
serious commitment, but it can be a shorter one.
8. They Enjoy Easy Livin’ 
Couch potato, know
thyself! Please consider a canine retiree rather than a high-energy
young dog who will run you ragged. Not that older dogs don’t require
any exercise—they do—but they’re not going to need, or want, to run a
marathon every day.
9. Save a Life, Be a Hero
Older dogs are often
the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized at shelters.
Saving an animal’s life offers an unparalleled emotional return on your
investment, and you’ll feel the rewards every day you spend together.
There’s nothing like that twinkling in an older dog’s eyes when he
finally gets adopted and realizes that after a lifetime of searching,
he’s home.
10. They’re CUTE!
Need we say more?
Thanks for this post! We have adopted 3 older dogs so far and I don't think we'll ever adopt a puppy. Without a doubt, puppies are incredibly cute, but they will almost always find a home. Older dogs don't have as much of a chance in a shelter and their gratitude is unmatched. There is no better feeling in the world than giving an old dog a new "leash" on life. :)
Posted by: Heather | October 31, 2008 at 07:11 AM