13-Year-Old Shelter Dog ‘Looks for His Family’ While Being Taken for a Walk
The issue many pets in shelters face is age and breed discrimination. This can lead to them getting passed over. Also, many senior pets wind up in shelters, after losing a home they've been in for years. No senior animal deserves to spend their golden years in an unfamiliar place.
Content creator Rachel, who's an advocate for shelter dogs, shares in a video posted on December 14 just how sad it can be for a senior shelter dog who was surrendered by their family. It's heartbreaking to watch!
This truly breaks my heart! Look at him, desperately looking for his family at the gate.
Who would surrender a senior pet? My pup is 14 years old, and I just can't even fathom how someone could do this.
Related: Shelter Dog's Relief Over Receiving a Blanket Will Melt Anyone's Heart
Granted, sometimes senior pets are surrendered because their owner passed on or can no longer care for them. But there are plenty of other unacceptable reasons why pets wind up in shelters.
Senior Dogs Have So Much Love To Give
As a proud parent of a senior dog, I can tell you they're great companions. And just because they're in their "golden years" doesn't mean they can't have a happy and fulfilling life.
Unfortunately, due to their age, senior dogs also sometimes come with age-related health issues, which could put them at risk of a shorter life span or higher vet bills. Both factors contribute to why people are hesitant to adopt a senior dog.
However, if you have the funds and time, are low-key, and are looking for a companion, adopting a senior dog is a wonderful option. Oftentimes, senior dogs just want a safe place to land, plus love and comfort. They're happy just to be by your side all day.
Plus, you have the opportunity to provide a calm and safe environment for an older dog who is heartbroken because their previous owners left them all alone. You can feel good about making a difference in an animal's life.
Adopting a Senior Pup vs. a Puppy
Another benefit of adopting a senior dog is you likely won't need to potty train them like a puppy, as they're mostly already house-trained.
You also won't need to invest time in training basic commands, as senior dogs are already set in their ways. That being said, their temperament and personality are already established.
Also, they're usually calm and easygoing, don't need a lot of exercise to get rid of excess energy, and are fine with leisurely walks.
While puppies and younger dogs have a high chance of getting adopted, a senior dog's chance is a lot smaller. Nobody deserves to be sad and alone in their old age.
"It’s no secret that the bond between humans and pets seems to accelerate with age, and it’s my theory that the more they need us, the more we learn how much we really need them," Dr. Patty Khuly says.
And I agree. That's the strong bond people talk about between a human and a dog: loyalty and gratitude.
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