Request Comments: Adopting a senior day

[Darrin]

I have two great dogs, Ross and Cleaver. They are standard poodles, five and nine years of age.

I came across a 15 year-old poodle in a no-kill shelter not far from me. For some reason, I am somewhat drawn to this dog. Apparently, we was an owner surrender.

I am fairly close to adopting him, but my rational side is telling me that it makes little sense. The dog is living in a kennel environment with about 40 other dogs, so he is not homeless and is being given care.

He seems to be doing okay, and for 15 years old, he is pretty active. His age is just a guesstimate, so he could be younger or older.

Has anyone here ever adopted a dog so old? Anyone care to add a comment as to why it would be important for me to adopt him as he is not in immediate danger? Or, maybe you can share why I should NOT adopt him.

I would think he could literally pass on anyday. It could be best to just let him stay where he is instead of uprooting him yet again to go to a new home at such a late stage in his life.

Thanks for ANY input.

 

[J's crew]

I say adopt him if you are able. He may be in a no kill shelter but that doesn't mean his living conditions are the same as in a loving home where he can enjoy the rest of his days. One on one attention is what he deserves, not to die without having a real home.

I hope you are able to adopt him. Poor boy.....surrendered by his owners, how sad.

 

[Saje]

If you can adopt him and let him live his final days out in a loving home you should do it. I would It would be a great thing for you to do. He may have all of his physical needs met but I bet he is lacking the companionship and attention he'd get in a home. The only con that I can think of is that it may be hard for you when he passes but at least you'll know what you were able to give him.

 

[dr2little]

I'm partial to seniors and like the others have said, I think that it would be a wonderful thing to give this senior a loving, warm home to live out his last days..maybe even years.

I adopted a dog that was blind and deaf, she gave me more in her short life than I could ever have thought possible. She passed 2 years ago and not a day goes by that I don't think of her with gratitude.
If you can, I'd say go for it. It may just be the greatest gift either of you has ever recieved...

 

[adoptashelterpettoday]

I think it would be great of you to adopt him. As you said his days are limited and why let him waste those in a crowded, noisy shelter or in a foster home where he could be adopted at any time and have to go through rehoming again? He needs a real family, who will keep him until the day he dies.

If you are in a position to, I say go for it. (Oh and you must post pictures once you get him home!)

Oh and as long as you are prepared for him to pass away. Who knows he could live a couple more years?

 

[casablanca1]

You seem to have some reservations despite being drawn to the dog. If you want to adopt him and are prepared to provide reasonable care for him, I would say ask the shelter people what they think, if he's happy where he is (I do see where you're coming from, if it's a nice place and he's sort of settled in) and ask if you can have him seen by a vet before you adopt - you do want to know what you're letting yourself in for.

As to 'is there a good reason to adopt if he's ok where he is' - if you're drawn to him and you will love him, and he fits into your life, that's the reason. The heart-wrenching cases of abuse and neglect and the kill shelters are spectacular and dramatic, but simply being human-less is the true tragedy in a dog's life.

 

[Darrin]

Brutus

Here is a current pic of Brutus. He lives in a barn on a farm in central Indiana. He does seem somewhat despondant despite his fairly agile ability, I was guessing that is because of his age.

Can dogs REALLY suffer from depression?

 

[Darrin]

I appreciate everyone's comments. Thank you.

casablanca1: The shelter person is strongly encouraging me to adopt Brutus. She thinks he would benefit from a home environment as compared to his current kennel arrangement. Much like others have commented here.

He has recently been to a vet, and nothing seems to be wrong.

As I already have two, large 60-pound dogs, I don't think another 10 pounds of dog will create much of a stir. I have a large house, and he surely can't eat very much.

 

[SeniorPetLover]

Trust me...a shelter enviornment is no place to live out your final years and most folks skip right over the old dogs when choosing to adopt a pet...sadly, that's what has kept me in business...I am always drawn to the seniors and that is how my organization was started...I volunteer at a no-kill shelter. We would get senior dogs in and they would stay for months and months because everyone always wanted a young dog...our shelter has concrete floors and the oldsters would really stiffen up and the constant barking was pretty wearing on them...I finally felt a calling and opened my sanctuary...a senior needs a good routine, lots of rest, a good diet and good vet care...these are things that just don't happen in most shelters...EVERY dog benefits from a home enviornment...I'm partial to seniors because they have been someone's devoted companion and for whatever reason, they have been cast aside at a time when they really need the comfort and security of a family...In fact, I just wrote an article about it for another Humane Society that I work with...it will be in their next newsletter...if you have the room, the patience and the financial resources to take on a senior, then go for it...they make the most grateful pets!

 

[~Jessie~]

I think that it would be great to adopt him if you can. I bet that he would love to live out the rest of his life in a warm family environment.
I would love to adopt a senior dog one day.

 

[doberkim]

If you can take him, take him.

I hospiced a dying dog for 10 months - she was given 10 days to live, I cherished every extra day I had with her, and I vowed that she wouldn't die in a shelter.

I took home a 9 year old doberman bitch from rescue and had her for only 8 months before I lost her to cancer.

I just pulled a senior male doberman from a shelter today who was slated for euthanasia. He's arthritis, halfway bald, and emaciated - no one in their right mind would take home "Handsome". He's awaiting his first raw meal tonight, I will neuter him next week once I get his bloodwork back, and enjoy all the kisses he has to share.

I find helping a sick and/or elderly animal much more rewarding than any other - because no one else wants to. Sane people don't go to shelters and adopt the old/sick/infirm - they want young and cute. I waited on a 6 month old dobe female that ended being pulled by another rescue and I am glad I did - because THIS guy needed me. THIS guy had nowhere else to go.

 

[bubbatd]

If I could afford it , I would take on a bunch of seniors ............they fit in well and really give more love than they receive. They need loving arms when the time comes.

 

[DryCreek]

Does this shelter have a supervised meet and greet area? A place you can bring your dogs to meet Brutus in a controlled environment? Also, some shelters will allow a dog to go out on a weekend pass visit, especially if they think it will help getting the dog adopted. And any dog that is adopted and removed from the shelter, opens up a new spot for another needy dog use.

If your prepared and able to take on this dog, I would do it. It's a horrible thing to live in a shelter and definitely a horrible place to pass away in. Even if it's only for a short time, giving this dog a comfortable, loving home to live out his days in would be a blessing to him, and probably you as well

 

[SeniorPetLover]

If you can take him, take him.

I hospiced a dying dog for 10 months - she was given 10 days to live, I cherished every extra day I had with her, and I vowed that she wouldn't die in a shelter.

I took home a 9 year old doberman bitch from rescue and had her for only 8 months before I lost her to cancer.

I just pulled a senior male doberman from a shelter today who was slated for euthanasia. He's arthritis, halfway bald, and emaciated - no one in their right mind would take home "Handsome". He's awaiting his first raw meal tonight, I will neuter him next week once I get his bloodwork back, and enjoy all the kisses he has to share.

I find helping a sick and/or elderly animal much more rewarding than any other - because no one else wants to. Sane people don't go to shelters and adopt the old/sick/infirm - they want young and cute. I waited on a 6 month old dobe female that ended being pulled by another rescue and I am glad I did - because THIS guy needed me. THIS guy had nowhere else to go.

Bless you.

 

[Sweet72947]

Another reason to adopt the dog is you are opening up a space for another dog in need!

I always feel sorry for the seniors, abandoned when they need their families most.

 

[Shannerson]

How wonderful if you could rescue this poor dog and very grand of you. I hope you do. I was going to ask the same question that was asked about what the shelter volunteers think; it sounds like it is just up to you and if you are willing to take on the responsibility. I hope you do. Keep us posted.

 

[adoptashelterpettoday]

Soooo..???

What happened?

 

[Brattina88]

I've been following this on PF, too
http://forums.petfinder.com/viewtopic.php?t=125244

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:22 pm
Post subject: After reading everyone's comments, how can I not get Brutus?

I have an appointment with the shelter who has Brutus for 10 a.m. Saturday (tomorrow) morning. I am planning on taking him home with me at that time.

I am really not doing this for me, but for him. This just seems like such a small thing that I can do that will, hopefully, have a huge impact on Brutus.

I have not idea where this new friendship will go, but it will be an interesting ride.

Thanks for everyone's comments. I really wasn't sure what to do, but after reading everyone's thoughts, I have to get him. Even thought the logical side is telling me I am nuts, my emotional side is asking why I am even debating the issue.

While everyone's comments are impactful, I gotta tell Annie that her's was especially poignant. Not sure if I should be cursing you (Annie) or thanking you.

I guess I will know soon enough.

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:57 pm
Post subject: I have Brutus

I brought him this morning. It's been quite a day.

The little guy smelled pretty bad, and after two baths, he's better but still has a smell. He's nearly blind and nearly deaf. He's also not house trained.

He is starting to settle down, though. He was a little spastic earlier, but he's seems to be calming down. I am crate training him, which he seems to be accepting. fairly well. I hate to have force him in the kennel, but with no house training and a house with many steps, I'm not sure I hae a choice.

For 15 years old, he is energetic. I guess I will really find out if an old dog can learn new tricks. I'll post some pics soon.

 

[adoptashelterpettoday]

How awesome. Thanks for the update!!

 

[Bobsk8]

I think if you adopt this dog, you will have a dog that thinks that you are the neatest person in the entire world........