In the notable book Old Dogs: Are The Best Dogs, the virtues of older canines are well documented by the author and a Pulitzer prize-winning photographer. The book describes old dogs as being “vulnerable” creatures who are without “artifice.” They are “at peace” and display “exorbitant gratitude and limitless trust.” Vaughan residents; any of you lucky enough to share your lives with an aging pet will certainly agree.
While this beautiful description could apply to all pets over a certain age, those residing in shelters and animal rescues demonstrate perhaps the most vulnerability and gratitude.
In honor of Adopt A Senior Pet Month – and out of our enormous respect and admiration for senior pets – we’d like to share some of the important benefits associated with senior pet ownership.
Appreciating Senior Pets
While young animals are undoubtedly cute, fluffy, and innocent, adopting one is a huge commitment that entails a lot of responsibility. With a senior pet, you can expect a more tempered and predictable companion – a sweet, loving, and devoted friend for sure!
Think About It
Senior pets usually remain at shelters much longer than younger animals, and they are among the first to be euthanized. Senior pets arrive at shelters or rescues through no fault of their own and deserve to find a new home quickly. Saving the life of a senior pet is one of the best feelings, but don’t just take our word for it!
Adopting a Senior Pet Scores High
In addition to that adorable face and sweet inclination to please, adopting a senior pet comes with other advantages including:
- The unruly, energetic phase of life is behind him or her. A senior pet usually knows all about proper bathroom habits, which items are meant for chewing or scratching, and is most likely already spayed or neutered. While you can certainly invest time and energy into teaching your senior pet new tricks or commands, you won’t be exhausted trying to educate a boisterous puppy or kitten.
- Older pets typically have life experience and some level of socialization. This means that he or she can transition more easily and integrate more quickly into families.
- A senior pet is fully grown (some young animals can surprise an owner with that last growth spurt!).
- A senior pet’s personality has already been established, and many shelters conduct temperament assessments prior to making pets available for adoption.
Be a Senior Pet Champion
Life is full of good things, but there’s no greater feeling than saving the life a senior pet. Plus, many senior pets can live at least an additional 5-10 years after you sign the papers, so you and your new best pal have lots of time to create memories together. Your companion will feel so lucky when you bring him or her home, and we’re sure the gratitude will be mutual for a long time to come.
Please call us if you have any questions about adopting a senior pet or want to schedule your first appointment together. From all your friends at Summeridge Animal Clinic, we applaud your decision to make a difference in the life of a senior pet!
