Adopting older pets?

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The last dog we adopted from the Humane Society was older, though not 'old'. Approximate age was probably 3 or 4. I know puppies are cute and all but they are a damn headache to get potty trained and then go through the teething stage. Get an older dog that is house trained and it is an instant 'good family pet'.

We have had our share of puppies but if we ever get another dog (which I don't want at this time) it will not be a puppy.

Thanks for sharing.

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My wife and I are foster owners for abandoned pets. I couldn't agree more with the OP. We spent the weekend at a Pet Smart adoption showing. All the kittens were adopted and none of the adult cats. Us veteran multiple pet owners know that personality is really the key to a great pet and you really can't determine personality until the pet is at least a year old. Thanks for sharing a great story.

Elkem wrote:

Two years ago, I adopted a dog from my local Humane Society. "Brandy's" approximate age at the time of adoption was 16 years. I had two wonderful years with Brandy before he died.

What I would like to share with your readers is, when you consider adopting a pet, please don't rule out an animal based strictly on age. Older animals can make excellent additions to a family. They deserve our love and kindness, too.

While I wholeheartedly agree with you, but I read this exact same story on today's "Dear Abby".

;_ylt=AqQhQ2RLBRwlkQT1h7cUiyHNbbUC;_ylu=X3oDMTRmNTY5Z2tiBG1pdANKdW1ib3Ryb24gRW50ZXJ0YWlubWVudFNGIERlYXJBYmJ5U1NGBHBrZwMzMGRmNTJhYi00OWNkLTNmZTctYWMwYi04NjA1MmRlZGJmZTMEcG9zAzEEc2VjA2p1bWJvdHJvbgR2ZXIDMmU5YjhmNTAtYTNjZi0xMWUxLTkzZmItMmMyY2RkOGYxYjk1;_ylg=X3oDMTFlamZvM2ZlBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3

I can't believe it took you idiots that long to bust me!

A little over 3 hours isn't that bad for the lunch crowd!

These vids really get to me! Just thought I'd share.

There are so many animals being turned in to local shelters because their people can't afford them anymore in this economy, or other less excusable reasons. Pets that have become used to being loved and shown attention suddenly get dumped in a shelter and owner surrenders are given fewer days to live at kill shelters than strays.

Regardless of your troll post, it is really important to discourage buying pets from breeders and pet stores and encouraging spay/neuter to keep the population down humanely. Adopt the older dogs that are missing having a family.

Volunteer at your local shelter - take a dog or two on your easy recovery days. The time they get out in the sunshine and fresh air even if for a short time helps the dog physically and mentally and also helps the often short-staffed shelters.

My last dog was six when I adopted him and he made it to 13. He was my doggie.

Yes! I used to stop at an animal shelter on my way home from the gym, and I'd get a leash, take a dog out, jog with him/her 'til he/she pooped, then take him/her back and get another one. (I've had dogs all my life, so picking up poop is no big deal.) The shelter was so busy, and the volunteers cleaned cages regularly, but they just can't clean every cage as soon as the animal has pooped. And no animal wants to be in a small cage that they pooped in.

I moved a couple of years ago, but you've inspired me to start volunteering at a shelter again.

Spay/neuter, and adopt from an animal shelter!

When I had my dog spayed , I also asked my doctor to remove my appendix.

My mom was a vet tech (at the Humane Society and a few private vets) until a couple years ago. She was always dragging home hard-to-adopt animals. Often they were cats, but she got a few dogs too. I think we have had three 3-legged cats and one very old cat.

That old cat was the best pet I ever had. We had her for a few years until her intestines stopped working. After that her quality of life was zero so we put her down. I still have her ashes in a box back home. I miss you, Grandma Kitty!!!