I’ve had a number of older owners book lessons with me lately—more than half a dozen individuals and couples in their 70s and even 80s, all wanting some training help with their new dogs or puppies. I’ve been impressed by their optimism and commitment in taking on a dog who may live 10 or 15 or more years as well as their dedication to training and improving the dog’s behavior. And almost all of these clients bought a purebred puppy.
I haven’t questioned any of these clients about why they bought a puppy instead of adopting an adult dog from a local shelter (though I did offer my appreciation to the one client who did!). But I was discussing this with my sister, who started the conversation by telling me about a senior citizen friend of hers who bought a puppy after being denied the opportunity to adopt from their local shelter (in Colorado). After smarting from the rejection—she’s an experienced dog owner with the means to care for a dog very well, and has a younger backup person in place, in case something happens to her—she formulated a plan. She bought a puppy (from a breeder who had no age limitations on their buyers) and she convinced two of her elderly friends to also adopt pups from the same litter, so they could get the three pups together regularly for socialization and dog-sit for each other when one of them travels or has medical appointments—a brilliant arrangement!
However, I will say that most of the older clients I’ve worked with recently did find their puppies to be somewhat overwhelming. Even though all of them are experienced dog owners, it’s been some time since they raised a puppy—and raising a youngster is different at 80 than 60! But at least one client admitted to me that while she went to the local shelters to look for a dog who would be suitable to adopt, she was frightened by the overwhelming supply of large, untrained adolescent dogs; she didn’t see any friendly small dogs at all! So she started looking at online ads for breeders of small dogs.
Is it an urban legend that shelters and rescues are denying older clients the opportunity to adopt? Or have you seen this in your area? And are you aware of any smart alternative to help seniors who want to own dogs until the end of their days find a suitable canine companion?
I only adopt older dogs from rescues. My last 3 were older labs six or seven years of age. They are easily trainable and calm. They lived many years and I miss everyone of them. But will get another even though I’m 77 years young.
My 83 year old friend was denied a 12 year old dog because she uses a walker. She has had rescue dogs all of her life and has a backup plan. She also once worked for the Humane Society. I found her a 13 year old dog that she loves. I was shocked by the first denial and the way they blamed her walker and age for being a problem.
Yes. There are many rescues who will deny adoption to seniors! I was shocked when a friend of mine was denied. There are so many dogs who need loving homes! I just don’t understand this. My friend wasn’t even asked f she had a backup plan for her pup in case something happened to her.
Very good article than you. I’m a behaviourist age 81. I had four dogs four years ago and gradually was left with one elderly deaf and blind Lab. I grieved badly for my Cocker Spaniel I lost last July and would so love to have another little black dog to love and to make me laugh. Instead I have adopted a 5-year-old ex-racing Greyhound. He’s tall enough not to trip me over, he walks beautifully, with my help he has adjusted in six months to living in our world. His main minus point is wanting to chase cats and squirrels! The temptation to buy a puppy is huge – but we must think how long that puppy will live, and how long we are likely to live even if lucky. A puppy living to the average age of my other more recent dogs means I would have to guarantee active life intil 95! With William my Greyhound, I hope to make it to late 80s. At worst he will have had several quality years away from the Greyhound racing life and able to fit in to another home.
The rescue where I have adopted two Miniature Schnauzers that needed new homes (we were told we were the fourth home for one of them) is always willing to take back their dogs if something happens where we can’t take care of them anymore. No questions asked, just make arrangements to bring the dog back to them. Things happen — living arrangements, human health problems that make taking care of a dog a real challenge. We, however, have found “godparents” for our pups in case something would happen to us. There have been several people that have said, “If anything happens to you, please keep us in mind. We would take them in a heartbeat!” Hopefully that never comes to pass. We love our rescues — all four of them (two from newspaper ads needing a new home). Our young one will be 5 years old next month and he has been easy to walk — no pulling — and just brings such joy to our life with the hope that continues for many more years.
When I realized I’d love to welcome another dog into my early 70s life, I purposefully scanned the rescue sites for adult dogs, knowing the puppies were best adopted into younger families where their energy levels would be well matched. But I came across a 3 month old who I couldn’t walk away from. When I filed my application for her, I fully expected to be denied due to my age. They did ask about a back-up plan on the form, and I do have one, but there were no issues and I was selected out of several other potential adopters. For the past 1.5 years, I’ve done my best to ensure she will be a good dog, to ensure her potential welcome into one of my kids’ homes in the future. She’s marvelously fun and altho I’ve questioned my sanity a few times over my decision, I know I’m giving her a good life and a secure future.
I had given some thought to fostering as a way to have dogs around without the heavy financial responsibility or long term commitment, or to do selective dog sitting if the situation was right. My friend does this and loves her doggy clients as their people go away for a few weeks at a time. Plus it gives her income a boost!
Loretta,
I thought my Lad would be my last dog, I was 76, I simply couldn’t stand the emptiness and called the breeder of my last 2 Ch. Collies to see if she would concider parting with one of her older dogs thinking 4 or 5 yrs of age. Well I got my wish but she was 18 months old and now 8 !
It’s the best decision I ever made and I’m now 82….go for it it’ll keep you young!
Dana.
I have three rescues. My lab is now 10, my terrier is 8 and my smaller “westie” is 2. I adopted her at age 77. I have detailed instructions on all three and separate folders with all of their records at a designated location for my daughter. I gave her duplicate copies. I hope to outlive all my dogs, but the information and funds are set up for their immediate care if I don’t.
As a rescue leader here is the other side of the coin. We are happy to place appropriate dogs with adopters of any age, however many times people have no idea of the energy levels of a large young puppy (who will be 60lbs+ when grown) and absolutely do not want to consider that they might no longer be able to deal with one.. We have given puppies to older people (I am one at 74 I adopted a puppy) who have a clear idea of what they are getting themselves into and have a backup plan, much like the woman in the story. In fact, some of our best fosters are in their 70s and older. We also frequently take in puppies and young adults who are untrained, and wild because they were just “too much for us”. But we and all rescues have older dogs who really need good homes and would be wonderful companions for years with older people . However some do not want a “usesd, broken, unhealthy etc” dog. In all cases, we do what is best for the dog.
I forgot to add that I’ve had 4 Labs and 7 Collies
and 5 at one time ( all males ) . My dear friend told
me I must have another and she would step in
if need be. I have my first beautiful Blue Merle girl
and sooo happy, she’s perfect.
Don’t be afraid to approach a breeder, some really
need to thin their keepers and would love them
to have a good caring home.
A friend of mine ran into this issue (I live in Connecticut) and wound up driving to New Hampshire to adopt a dog! She and her husband are experienced animal people (dogs, cats, horses). I am 69 and have thought a lot about this. I will definitely adopt older dogs from now on as I have no family left except my two older sisters. There is a shelter near me who will always take adopted animals back into their care and I have them listed as a beneficiary in my investment accounts. I have often thought how wonderful it would be if someone who is great at organizing could start an organization that would look after seniors who have adopted animals. The seniors could “check in” each week to let them know they were still alive and, if they didn’t check in, a wellness check could be done so that if they were dead the animals could quickly be taken care of. It would give older people who love their animals much comfort to know their animals would be taken care of by compassionate people.
The article is true! We wanted a small younger dog. Older dogs have more medical needs and after caring for a diabetic dog for over 5 years and another with CCD and cancer for over 1 year we wanted a younger one. The smaller cute ones had long list of applicants so the chance of a 72 and 78 year old qualifying was slim.
We found a breeder who would take the dog back should our circumstances change. Our current pup was 90% housebroken and slept the night at 10 weeks. We are still going through the various puppy stages at 13 months. He keep us moving and will be worth it when puppy stages comes to an end.
Many dogs I see in our local shelters and rescues are large pit bull mixes or other breeds we didn’t want. They do not fit our home or lifestyle. Two small rescues have warmed my heart and their memories still live on. Not everyone wants a big dog.
Great article and awesome, helpful responses. Thanks everyone!