Rescue Dogs and Oldies

In the overwhelming case, there is nothing wrong with them, it’s just that owners circumstances change. Bereavement, financial circumstances etc, and unfortunately some owners dump their dog to make way for a more fashionable pet. Some just get rid of them to save money and amazingly there is a surprisingly large number of people who abandon their pets In the summer holiday period as they are reluctant to pay to board their pets.

There are owners who dump their pets because of behavioural issues but in most cases that is hardly a reasonable excuse as there is now so much advice freely available online and the cost of classes is usually very reasonable.

Old dogs are discarded because they are no longer as active as they were so instead of being allowed to see out their days in the comfort that they deserve they end up in a shelter with little hope of adoption. Some are just abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Old dogs are generally well behaved, clean in the house, calmer, travel well in the car and for those of us not in the first flush of youth need less exercise, in fact, they make excellent companions. Yes, you may not have them for the expected 10 – 12 years but more often than not the time that is left is quality time. My current elderly companion was found abandoned 4 years ago and when I inquired about her age a highly experienced veterinary surgeon informed me that, “This dog is so old I wouldn’t like to hazard a guess!”

As Chloe is also deaf the likelihood of finding a home was minuscule so 4 years later she is still in residence, she sleeps a lot, but then so do we. Both of us have never regretted keeping her, in fact, she has enriched our lives.

In any discussion regarding rescuing dogs, I am always reminded of the elderly lady that I once visited who informed me that every time her dog died she went to the local shelter and took either the eldest dog or the dog that had been there the longest and gave it a home.

When I asked for the motivation behind her decision she told me that she had been diagnosed with a terminal illness 20 years previously and decided that the oldest dog in the shelter would be the perfect company. After what was obviously a misdiagnosis she just carried on and never got out of the habit.

In any country in a financial crisis sees pets abandoned and in fairness, if there isn’t enough money to feed the family then pets take a back seat. In times of war, pets become a luxury that adds to the burden for families particularly big dogs that consume large quantities of food.

If people want to pay thousands for a pedigree puppy or a designer dog that’s ok provided that folks consider it money well spent, however, maybe, just maybe prospective owners might give a thought to giving a home to an abandoned dog. I can assure anyone that there is no greater feeling than seeing the contentment and sheer pleasure on the face of an animal that has been given a second chance. Sometimes they are not always in the best condition but decent food and a secure environment remedies that soon enough.

Puppies are very cute but they don’t stay puppies very long, they need toilet training, chew, steal, sometimes suffer from being separated from mum and siblings and have to be taught to be obedient. The other obvious problem is finding a good reliable breeder. Don’t think that I am anti-puppy, I am not, I have had my fair share of delightful puppies over the years, but I have also had wonderful rescue dogs. In fact, our latest acquisition Ziggy was found wandering the streets of our nearest town!

Looking back my first Shelter dog was Zena a misshapen long-haired German Shepherd Dog with flat feet and the appearance of being cross-eyed. In fact, she had the appearance of a creature made up of spare parts! Her condition was pitiful but even in her miserable state, she was trying to play with a very playful puppy that had been put In her pen. In a world where appearance has such a high priority she had no chance of being adopted and yet this rather ordinary looking dog turned out to be highly initiative to the point that she didn’t need commands, she had the ability to recognise what was required of her.

Miss World, she wasn’t, but she became my loyal companion for the rest of her life helping me at work teaching owners and their dogs to bond, solve their problems and fulfil their true potential.

Whether it is a mutt with a dubious lineage or a designer dog with an extensive pedigree both have the capability of enriching the life of a prospective owner, so please keep an open mind.