Here at Whiskers Gone Wild we only know two things for sure:
- Pet adoption is one of the best ways to find a furry friend!
- A senior pet can be the best pet companion you’ll ever have!
How do we know this? Because over the last five years we’ve adopted a dog, a cat, and two ratties. And, what about senior pets? How do we know they’re the best? Well, we have Alvin.
In truth, we don’t really think of Alvin as an old dog. In our minds, he’s still just a pup. He sure acts like one, but he is nearing double digits. So, we guess he’s technically a senior. Since he’s so great though, we thought he could be the poster-boy for all those senior pups who are still looking for their forever homes!
So, if you’re for a new furry companion here are five reasons to adopt a senior.
They may be old, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have spunk!
Alvin is almost ten now, but that doesn’t stop him from living his best life. Every year he participates in the SPCA Strut your Mutt, a 3k walk/run to support pet adoptions. He goes on countless walks with his younger brother and sister, Zeus and Hazel, and despite being twice their age he’s never lost a step, and sometimes he even insists on leading the pack!
To top it all off, Alvin visits the groomer every month. Because he still likes to look good. And he almost always comes back with his mohawk dyed a new color. We don’t ask the groomer for this. We’re pretty sure he does.
Old doesn’t mean sick and tired
Senior dogs aren’t sick dogs. Alvin visits the vet as often as his siblings. We keep his shots updated. We make sure that he takes his heart-worm preventative, and we use medication to keep the fleas and ticks away.
The point is your senior pet can be just as healthy as your puppy or kitty. In some aspects their more healthy. Did you know that puppies shouldn’t even leave the house before twelve weeks?
To be honest, Alvin is the one who leaps off the couch when he hears the word walk, whereas the baby boy in the family slowly slumps off whatever comfortable piece of furniture he’s lying on and then proceeds to stroll on over to either Kristen or I so we can leash him up. Glance over to Alvin and he has his leash in his mouth jumping up and down in front of the door, basically screaming at us at us: “Hurry up. Let’s roll!” He’s also willing to try new things, he’s such an extrovert!
Your senior dog will be ready to hit the park as soon as you leave the shelter!
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but who cares? You don’t have to teach them anything (usually).
Picture this: You just got your new puppy. They’re puppy pads strewn all over the floor of your living room, and that precious little pup still manages to drop a load in the one spot that isn’t covered. But you don’t have to worry about that with a senior dog.
And that senior cat knows exactly what the litter box is for.
What about shake, sit, roll over? Your senior dog knows them all, and they walk on the leash just fine.
I’ll be honest though, with age comes stubbornness, and if it’s raining outside Alvin still poops on the carpet.
I mean, it’s been nine freaking years, bro. C’mon!
Let’s face it, they appreciate us more than the puppies do…
Some dogs *cough* Hazel *cough* would go home with anyone. Not Alvin though. He’s spent nine years with us. He knows who fills his kibble bowl.
The same goes for those senior shelter dogs and cats. Once you take them home they’ll love you forever!
Because all dogs deserve a good home!
Look, puppies and kittens are great, and a lot of the time they don’t need much help getting adopted. They’re cute, they’re cuddly, they’re puppies and kittens! They sell themselves! But senior dogs don’t always have such luck.
Often they’re the victims of a lot of stigmas. People think they’re sick, they’re lazy, that something is wrong with them.
Speaking from experience, I can tell you this- there is nothing wrong with those senior puppers! They’re just as fun, just as cuddly, and just as adoptable as any puppy is.
So, if you’re looking for pupper or cat, consider a senior. They got a lot of love to give!
❤
WHISKERS GONE WILD 