In Praise Of Older Dogs

Animal shelters' long-in-the-tooth hounds come with built-in benefits
- Eileen Mitchell, Saturday, July 10, 2004

"Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a bit out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well."
-- Bonnie Wilcox

When Pepe, a chocolate toy poodle, was abandoned at a Berkeley pet emergency clinic, his chances for adoption appeared slim. Dapper though he was, Pepe's teeth were so decayed they had to be pulled. Not that being toothless stopped him from enjoying his new life after his transfer to the Oakland SPCA. He still ran in circles whenever he saw his leash, went on playful puppy-runs in the shelter's exercise yard, and liked to give big, wet sloppy kisses to anyone who put their face next to his. The funny little dog that enjoyed smacking his toothless gums endeared himself to plenty of prospective guardians eager to adopt
the impish poodle.

Until they learned his age. Pepe was 12. Then they would say no thanks and pick a younger dog.

And such is the plight of senior dogs.

"At some shelters, older dogs are usually scheduled for almost immediate euthanasia," says Teri Goodman, who operates the Senior Dogs Project, a Web site that facilitates the care and adoption of senior dogs. "The
space is needed for younger, more appealing, adoptable dogs."

Goodman was inspired to start the Senior Dogs Project after adopting Misty, a 10-year-old golden retriever. "We had Misty for four wonderful years. She motivated me to get the message out about the benefits of senior dogs."

Benefits? Well, dogs in their golden years (8 and over) are usually housebroken, meaning no chewed-up slippers or "puddles of surprise" to await you. Senior dogs are already accustomed to living with others, so they tend to acclimate to new homes easier. And forget about those midnight disruptions for which puppies are so famous. Senior dogs let you sleep throughout the night because they don't experience separation anxiety or nocturnal bathroom urges like their younger counterparts do.

Senior dogs are also great matches for families seeking their first dog. As Nann Dawn, shelter manager of the Oakland SPCA points out, "If the dog likes the kids immediately, this is a great beginning. And if you're a couch potato, a senior dog will be a good companion ready to join you on the sofa and watch TV."

"Animal Planet,'' of course.

Earlier this year the East Bay SPCA started the Silver Muzzle Club to promote the adoption of senior dogs and cats. "When I look at a puppy,'' Dawn says, "I always wonder, 'Will you make it to adulthood? Be good with kids or other dogs? Be easy to housebreak?' There are so many
unknowns."

Not so of senior dogs, she insists. "There are very few guarantees in this world, but with senior dogs you know what you're getting. There's a lot to be said for having an established personality. When I look at an older dog my questions are, 'How long will I have you? How will I lose
you?' Will we have enough time together?"

Ah, but to a loving guardian is there ever enough time? It's a cruel twist of fate that our devoted dogs, which often make up the best part of our lives, sadly occupy the briefest amount of time. Larger breeds tend to have shorter life spans, while smaller breeds can often resemble
canine Dick Clarks.

Dawn says most dogs begin mellowing around age 8. "This is when we most fondly remember the dog at his best. If a dog has successfully made it this long as someone's companion, then he must have been a good dog in
both temperament and health."

OK. But if Fido is such a great dog, how'd he end up in a shelter?Sometimes the dog is simply the victim of someone else's unfortunate circumstance. Guardians die or relocate. Some experience a drop in income that makes the expense of a pet unaffordable.

"He's been a good dog," Dawn sighs. "He's done everything he was supposed to do, and suddenly he finds himself homeless."

When senior dogs are placed for adoption they are first thoroughly reviewed by the SPCA's in-house vet and must pass a temperament test. Dogs over 8 also undergo blood work to identify potential health issues. The SPCA then follows the vet's recommendations, so adopters can be
confident that their new dog is in the best of health.

Not to say there aren't some realities to contend with when adopting a senior dog. Your time together will be shorter than if you'd adopted a puppy. There are also the usual health issues that accompany aging, so regular vet visits are a must. Forget "weekend warrior" gigs, which can be tough on aging hips and joints. Instead, your dog isbetter off with regular, moderate exercise, which you may secretly find a relief. Now you have a great excuse to skip that 5-mile jog around the reservoir.

As for Pepe the toothless poodle? The little charmer is living out his retirement years with a family who recognizes that love knows no boundaries. Including age.

The family believes what Dawn sums up so well. "I hope the day never comes that someone tells me there's nothing else for me to learn and I can't have any more relationships or be loved just because I'm old. Honoring the older dogs in our world is as important as honoring anyone that is older.''

These are just a few local organizations seeking homes for senior dogs:


The Senior Dog Project: www.srdogs.com/index.html


The Milo Foundation: www.milofoundation.org.

Grateful Dogs Rescue: gratefuldogsrescue@webtv.net

©2004 San Francisco Chronicle




SHOP & SUPPORT THE ANIMAL RESCUE SITE
The most adorable animal-related products, & with each purchase, a specified number of bowls of food will be donated!!!
Click HERE or on photos below to go to the TARS store )
YOU CAN HELP !!!!
Note: The animals are NOT to be euthanized or used for any commercial purposes no matter how good the reasons may appear.

PLEASE DONATE TO LCA IN OUR EFFORTS TO FREE
THE ANIMALS OF MARTIN CREEK KENNEL
THE LAST ONES LEFT NEED TO FIND LOVING HOMES!

THE ANIMAL RESCUE SITE
Over 10 million animals are abusd, neglected, or abandoned yearly. Your daily click helps animals survive!
Each click provides food for an animal
in a shelter or sanctuary.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE ANIMAL RESCUE SITE

Your daily clicks help animals survive!
Over 10 million animals are abused, neglected, or abandoned yearly. Each click provides food for an animal in a shelter or sanctuary! It's THAT SIMPLE!
Click here daily and provide a bowl of
food for a needy animal!




DOGREAD.COM

DogRead started out with a simple idea. Wouldn't it be nice to read a dog book a month, and seminar on that book with hundreds of your closest friends. Better yet, how about including the author in the seminar.

That was the original idea behind DogRead. We began in March 2000 with 23 dog folks. As of May 2003, they have a membership of over 3750. DogRead is one of the largest dog oriented daily email groups in the world. They have books and authors scheduled through 2003, and online retailers offering our members a discount for their books and dog supplies. The list owners are Treshell & Tomas Jones. Why not give DogRead.Com a try?

~~~~~~~~~~~~




THE ANIMAL RESCUE SITE

Your daily clicks help animals survive!
Over 10 million animals are abused, neglected, or abandoned yearly. Each click provides food for an animal in a shelter or sanctuary! It's THAT SIMPLE!
Click here daily and provide a bowl of
food for a needy animal!




DOGREAD.COM

DogRead started out with a simple idea. Wouldn't it be nice to read a dog book a month, and seminar on that book with hundreds of your closest friends. Better yet, how about including the author in the seminar.

That was the original idea behind DogRead. We began in March 2000 with 23 dog folks. As of May 2003, they have a membership of over 3750. DogRead is one of the largest dog oriented daily email groups in the world. They have books and authors scheduled through 2003, and online retailers offering our members a discount for their books and dog supplies. The list owners are Treshell & Tomas Jones. Why not give DogRead.Com a try?

~~~~~~~~~~~~




Hi, Folks! I'm Willie,
Laura's SpokesDoggie!
Willie's Newsletter

This page was last updated on: July 6, 2006

THE ANIMAL RESCUE SITE
Over 10 million animals are abusd, neglected, or abandoned yearly. Your daily click helps animals survive!
Each click provides food for an animal
in a shelter or sanctuary.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YOU CAN HELP !!!!
Note: The animals are NOT to be euthanized or used for any commercial purposes no matter how good the reasons may appear.

PLEASE DONATE TO LCA IN OUR EFFORTS TO FREE
THE ANIMALS OF MARTIN CREEK KENNEL
THE LAST ONES LEFT NEED TO FIND LOVING HOMES!

SHOP & SUPPORT THE ANIMAL RESCUE SITE
The most adorable animal-related products, & with each purchase, a specified number of bowls of food will be donated!!!
Click HERE or on photos below to go to the TARS store )
This issue, Willie has some great new articles below and on the right side of this page containing heartwarming stories about Senior dogs and special needs pets, so grab a cup of tea, relax, and spend a few minutes immersed in feel-good stories & verse!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Never be afraid to do what's right especially
if the well being of a person or animal is
at stake. Society's punishments are small
compared to the wounds we inflict on our
soul when we look the other way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

    For Senior Dogs

We have one of you
A  heart so true
Never a bed dog, you keep your spot
So I know where you are even in Dark.

Your face is white, your coat in tatters
I brush you and buzz you  because it matters.

Towels and sheets get washed every day
'Cause sometimes you have  no warning
of Need and no time to wake me
But thats OK.

14 years and more you've been Bud
OH the names we've called you
and still do.. Goob, Goober, Bud, Bubba
Sh*thead and worse, Thief at times,
all in love and respect because the only
virtual thing you ever grabbed and would never
let go was our hearts.

You still make those  steps
Still tuck into your kibble,
Chase Deer and Moose with
waggy tail and enthusiastic bark
even tho you can no longer run

I'd never leave you for a minute
and when its your time to leave me
I will be holding you so tight
your trip to the Bridge will be a Trampoline Leap
From my heart back to God.


Seniors  Rule! Go the Distance.

Author:
Sue Burnham in Bethel Maine
sdhb@megalink.net

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In Praise Of Older Dogs

Animal shelters' long-in-the-tooth hounds come with built-in benefits
- Eileen Mitchell, Saturday, July 10, 2004

"Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a bit out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well."
-- Bonnie Wilcox

When Pepe, a chocolate toy poodle, was abandoned at a Berkeley pet emergency clinic, his chances for adoption appeared slim. Dapper though he was, Pepe's teeth were so decayed they had to be pulled. Not that being toothless stopped him from enjoying his new life after his transfer to the Oakland SPCA. He still ran in circles whenever he saw his leash, went on playful puppy-runs in the shelter's exercise yard, and liked to give big, wet sloppy kisses to anyone who put their face next to his. The funny little dog that enjoyed smacking his toothless gums endeared himself to plenty of prospective guardians eager to adopt
the impish poodle.

Until they learned his age. Pepe was 12. Then they would say no thanks and pick a younger dog.

And such is the plight of senior dogs.

"At some shelters, older dogs are usually scheduled for almost immediate euthanasia," says Teri Goodman, who operates the Senior Dogs Project, a Web site that facilitates the care and adoption of senior dogs. "The
space is needed for younger, more appealing, adoptable dogs."

Goodman was inspired to start the Senior Dogs Project after adopting Misty, a 10-year-old golden retriever. "We had Misty for four wonderful years. She motivated me to get the message out about the benefits of senior dogs."

Benefits? Well, dogs in their golden years (8 and over) are usually housebroken, meaning no chewed-up slippers or "puddles of surprise" to await you. Senior dogs are already accustomed to living with others, so they tend to acclimate to new homes easier. And forget about those midnight disruptions for which puppies are so famous. Senior dogs let you sleep throughout the night because they don't experience separation anxiety or nocturnal bathroom urges like their younger counterparts do.

Senior dogs are also great matches for families seeking their first dog. As Nann Dawn, shelter manager of the Oakland SPCA points out, "If the dog likes the kids immediately, this is a great beginning. And if you're a couch potato, a senior dog will be a good companion ready to join you on the sofa and watch TV."

"Animal Planet,'' of course.

Earlier this year the East Bay SPCA started the Silver Muzzle Club to promote the adoption of senior dogs and cats. "When I look at a puppy,'' Dawn says, "I always wonder, 'Will you make it to adulthood? Be good with kids or other dogs? Be easy to housebreak?' There are so many
unknowns."

Not so of senior dogs, she insists. "There are very few guarantees in this world, but with senior dogs you know what you're getting. There's a lot to be said for having an established personality. When I look at an older dog my questions are, 'How long will I have you? How will I lose
you?' Will we have enough time together?"

Ah, but to a loving guardian is there ever enough time? It's a cruel twist of fate that our devoted dogs, which often make up the best part of our lives, sadly occupy the briefest amount of time. Larger breeds tend to have shorter life spans, while smaller breeds can often resemble
canine Dick Clarks.

Dawn says most dogs begin mellowing around age 8. "This is when we most fondly remember the dog at his best. If a dog has successfully made it this long as someone's companion, then he must have been a good dog in
both temperament and health."

OK. But if Fido is such a great dog, how'd he end up in a shelter?Sometimes the dog is simply the victim of someone else's unfortunate circumstance. Guardians die or relocate. Some experience a drop in income that makes the expense of a pet unaffordable.

"He's been a good dog," Dawn sighs. "He's done everything he was supposed to do, and suddenly he finds himself homeless."

When senior dogs are placed for adoption they are first thoroughly reviewed by the SPCA's in-house vet and must pass a temperament test. Dogs over 8 also undergo blood work to identify potential health issues. The SPCA then follows the vet's recommendations, so adopters can be
confident that their new dog is in the best of health.

Not to say there aren't some realities to contend with when adopting a senior dog. Your time together will be shorter than if you'd adopted a puppy. There are also the usual health issues that accompany aging, so regular vet visits are a must. Forget "weekend warrior" gigs, which can be tough on aging hips and joints. Instead, your dog isbetter off with regular, moderate exercise, which you may secretly find a relief. Now you have a great excuse to skip that 5-mile jog around the reservoir.

As for Pepe the toothless poodle? The little charmer is living out his retirement years with a family who recognizes that love knows no boundaries. Including age.

The family believes what Dawn sums up so well. "I hope the day never comes that someone tells me there's nothing else for me to learn and I can't have any more relationships or be loved just because I'm old. Honoring the older dogs in our world is as important as honoring anyone that is older.''

These are just a few local organizations seeking homes for senior dogs:


The Senior Dog Project: www.srdogs.com/index.html


The Milo Foundation: www.milofoundation.org.

Grateful Dogs Rescue: gratefuldogsrescue@webtv.net

©2004 San Francisco Chronicle




Please sign Willie's Guestbook and let us know how you like this newsletter. Thank You!!!
"The Dillard's Thief"

Clutching their Dillard's shopping bags, Ellen and Kay woefully gazed down at a dead cat in the mall parking lot. Obviously a recent hit---no flies, no smell.

"What business could that poor kitty have had here?" murmured Ellen.

"Come on, Ellen, let's just go..." But Ellen had already grabbed her shopping bag and was explaining, "I'll just put my things in your bag, and then I'll take the tissue." She dumped her purchases into Kay's bag and then used the tissue paper to cradle and lower the former feline into her own Dillard's bag and cover it.

They continued the short trek to the car in silence, stashing their goods in the trunk. But it occurred to both of them that if they left Ellen's burial bag in the trunk, warmed by the Texas sunshine while they ate, Kay's Lumina would soon lose that new-car smell. They decided to leave the bag on top of the trunk, and they headed over to Luby's Cafeteria.

After they cleared the serving line and sat down at a window table, they had a view of Kay's Chevy with the Dillard's bag still on the trunk.

BUT not for long. As they ate, they noticed a black-haired woman in a red gingham shirt stroll by their car, look quickly this way and that, and then hook the Dillard's bag without breaking stride. She quickly walked out of their line of vision. Kay and Ellen shot each other a wide-eyed look of amazement. It all happened so fast that neither of them could think how to respond.

"Can you imagine?" sputtered Ellen. "The nerve of that woman!"

Kay sympathized with Ellen, but inwardly a laugh was building as she thought about the grand surprise awaiting the red-gingham thief. Just when she thought she'd have to giggle into her napkin, she noticed Ellen's eyes freeze in the direction of the serving line. Following her gaze, Kay recognized with a shock the black-haired woman with THE Dillard's bag hanging from her arm, brazenly pushing her tray toward the cashier.

Helplessly they watched the scene unfold: After clearing the register, the woman settled at a table across from theirs, put the bag on an empty chair and began to eat. After a few bites of baked whitefish and green beans, she casually lifted the bag into her lap to survey her treasure. Looking from side to side, but not far enough to notice her rapt audience three tables over, she pulled out the tissue paper and peered into the bag. Her eyes widened, and she began to make a sort of gasping noise. The noise grew. The bag slid from her lap as she sank to the floor, wheezing and clutching her upper chest. The beverage cart attendant quickly recognized a customer in trouble and sent the busboy to call 911, while she administered the Heimlich maneuver.

A crowd quickly gathered that did not include Ellen and Kay, who remained riveted to their chairs for seven whole minutes until the ambulance arrived. In a matter of minutes the curly-haired woman emerged from the crowd, still gasping, strapped securely on a gurney. Two well-trained EMS volunteers steered her to the waiting ambulance, while a third scooped up her belongings.

The last they saw of the distressed cat-burglar, as she disappeared behind the ambulance doors, was the Dillard's bag perched on her stomach.
The reason a dog has so many friends
is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.

-Anonymous
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't accept your dog's admiration
as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.

Ann Landers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go where they went.

Will Rogers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is no psychiatrist in the world
like a puppy licking your face.

Ben Williams
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A dog is the only thing on earth
that loves you more than he loves himself.

Josh Billings
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The average dog is a nicer person
than the average person.

Andy Rooney
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We give dogs time we can spare,
space we can spare,
and love we can spare.
And in return, dogs give us their all.
It's the best deal man has ever made.

M. Acklam
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate.

Sigmund Freud
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members
of a weird religious cult.

Rita Rudner
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three, times before lying down.

Robert Benchley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like,
never washed a dog.

Franklin P. Jones
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that
certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and
very, very few persons.

James Thurber
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money.

Joe Weinstein
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ever consider what our dogs must think of us?
I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul -- chicken, pork, half a cow.
They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!

Anne Tyler
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Women and cats will do as they please,
and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.

Robert A. Heinlein
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Speak softly,
and own a big, mean Doberman.

Dave Miliman
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you;
that is the principal difference between a dog and a man.

Mark Twain
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'Wow, you're right!
I never would've thought of that!'

Dave Barry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dogs are not our whole life,
but they make our lives whole.

Roger Caras
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you think dogs can't count,
try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket,
and then giving Fido only two of them.

Phil Pastoret
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My goal in life is to be as good of a person
my dog already thinks I am.