Bideawee Tails from a Volunteer
Part II Joys and Challenges of Adopting an Older Dog by Florence Scarinci
This month's "Tails" could not have been written without the input of Mara Pallotta, who at present lives with two dogs whom she adopted when they were adults.
In the first installment of this article my friend, Steph, was inquiring about adopting an older dog. She asked questions about finding a suitable older dog and coping with any issues the dog might have. In this second installment Mara and I share our experiences of finding and adopting older dogs that have been surrendered to rescue or shelters.
Hi, Florence. I have given a lot of thought to the information you gave me in our previous emails. I have decided that I want to get an older dog, either a purebred or an "All American". I know you have a purebred Corgi from a Corgi rescue group. Tell me how you found the group, how you were screened, how they matched you, what problems the dog had, and how the placement has worked out.
Gladly, Steph. I have had Retrievers of one kind or another all my life and I love their beauty, intelligence and trainability. But when I raised a Corgi for a service dog organization, I fell in love with the breed. When my black Labrador Retriever died, I decided that instead of getting another Retriever, I would like to get another Corgi. Although I had saved the money for a Corgi puppy and had been accepted by several well-respected breeders as a potential owner, I felt that I should first try to find a young dog in rescue. On its website the national breed club has links to rescue groups. I contacted several of the groups. Each one asked me to fill out a questionnaire asking me what I was looking for. Did I want a male or female? What age dog was I looking for? Did I want the dog to sit on the couch or participate in performance events? What experience did I have with the breed? Were there children at home, or visiting, or next door? Was my yard fenced? How much exercise was I prepared to give the dog? As much as they were interested in me and my situation, I was interested in being very clear about my needs and desires in a dog. You know I compete in agility, Rally, and obedience. So I wanted a young, sound dog who could be trained to compete and would enjoy the exercise. I have grandchildren. I could not have a dog who did not like children. I wanted a male because I already had a female who was a bossy, top dog. I was so specific, I believed that there would be no dog for me in rescue and having salved my conscience, I could purchase a purebred, show quality dog from a well-known breeder. Within 24 hours the rescue chairperson from one of the groups sent me a picture of a 13 month old, tri-color, male corgi, jumping over a fence, with the suggestion: "I think you should consider this dog."
Coach was a diamond in the rough. He had been bred by a disreputable backyard breeder who had purchased the dam from a top breeder, on a limited registration (meaning that she was to be spayed and not bred). But wanting to recoup her purchase price, bred her and sold the puppies. Not surprisingly, Coach had demodetic mange, a congenital defect, a failure of the autoimmune system (an ethical breeder is honor bound not to breed a dog that carries the gene for this defect. Apparently that was the reason the dog was supposed to be spayed). Furthermore, the people who purchased him, had not done their homework. They did not understand that Corgis need their bodies and their minds exercised. They did not teach him a thing, not even the command, "sit", and then they wondered why he chewed shoes, peed in the house, and jumped on people. By the time he was eight months old, the age when dogs go through adolescence, and seem to behave like typical human teenagers, defying and pushing the envelope, they had had enough of this energetic, out-of-control beast, whom they had helped to create, and surrendered him to rescue.
As I said in a previous email, the rescue people know their dogs. The rescue chairperson, who was fostering Coach, saw his potential both as a pet and as a performance dog. She felt that with structure and training he could become a superior performance dog and a cherished companion. She was right. After we treated Coach's mange and his coat came in thick and luxurious, he was beautiful. We began training basic obedience and when he relaxed and learned the rules of his new surroundings, we began lessons in competition obedience and agility. Today Coach not only has Rally obedience and agility titles, he is also a therapy dog, registered with an international therapy dog organization. Every week he helps reluctant readers improve their skills. Aside from his accomplishments, Coach makes me laugh every day and helps me keep my weight in check with our brisk daily walks. But make no mistake this transformation did not occur overnight. It took months and years of patience and perseverance to achieve it: lots of exercise to tire him out, and daily training sessions to challenge his smart Corgi brain. I take great pride in his metamorphosis from a "wild child" to well behaved, accomplished canine. He is the poster child for what training and patience can achieve with a rescue dog.
I also have a friend, Mara, who has adopted two older dogs, Sheba, a Samoyed, whom she obtained from a rescue group, and Belle, a Collie mix, whom she adopted from Bideawee. I would like her to share her stories. I'll give you her email address so you can speak to her directly about the challenges she faced and the joys she has experienced.
Hi, Mara, this is Steph, Florence's friend. She tells me that you have adopted two older dogs. I would love to hear why you choose older dogs and what challenges you faced.
Hi, Steph. After the tragic loss of my first dog, I decided that I wanted to give a second chance to an adult animal who had had a rough start. Everyone fawns over the puppies in the shelters and they are quickly adopted. Older dogs can languish there for long periods of time. It seemed only right to honor the memory of my first dog by looking for an adult.
Mara, how old were Sheba and Belle when you adopted them?
Hi, Steph. I adopted Sheba first. She was two and one half years old. The rescue woman told us that we were her fifth home. Can you imagine: five homes in two and one half years?
At the time I adopted Sheba, my husband and I had two young daughters and two cats. Our house was quite busy and active, but after having Sheba for about four months and having gained a deeper understanding of her issues and needs, I felt that she would benefit from having a friend of her own species. I was volunteering at Bideawee when I noticed Belle. She was about the same age as Sheba. She was very submissive, yet, sweet natured, and the shelter workers felt that she should go to a home with another dog. It broke my heart to see her cowering in the back of the kennel. I filled out the adoption questionnaire, was approved, and took Belle home. The shelter staff really understood their charges. As soon as she got home, she began to romp and play with Sheba. Soon both dogs began to blossom.
Did either Sheba or Belle have any behavioral or personality problems? Did they have trouble adjusting to their new environment?
Both dogs had some issues. Whether these issues were the result of their personality makeup or some environmental trigger, I do not know. But I will explain what they were and how we managed them.
Sheba was and is an escape artist. Maybe that has something to do with her breed. Perhaps there is a little wanderlust in her makeup. We just make sure that when we answer the door, she is under control and we frequently patrol the yard to discover and fill in any holes she might have begun to dig under the fence.
Sheba also has separation anxiety. But having been in five homes during the formative part of her life, might explain her fears. Initially we had her on medication which didn't seem to help. We have found that having Belle with her has alleviated some of the anxiety. Our initial instinct that Sheba could use a friend has proven correct.
I have no idea what Belle's early months were like. But Belle is shy and often looks at me as if she is waiting to be scolded for something. She is also petrified of thunderstorms. At first she would try to escape, actually tearing apart three window screens hoping to get to a safer place. She even broke a tooth and bent the bars on a crate trying to "get away" from a thunderstorm. We have found that allowing her to take refuge in an empty bathtub actually soothes her.
Belle also took some time to housebreak. We used a positive approach to encourage her. Whenever she would relieve herself outside, we would give her hot dogs (a real high value treat) and lots of exuberant praise. Eventually she understood that outside was the appropriate place for elimination and we also learned to recognize her subtle cues that she needed to go outside.
Florence told you that it took quite a while for Coach to adjust and settle down to learn. I would have to say that my experience was similar. It took Sheba a few years to calm down (but she is a high energy dog). Belle's housebreaking issues were resolved within a year.
Mara, are you glad that you decided to adopt older dogs?
Yes, Steph. I feel so lucky to have found these two creatures. It may appear that I rescued them but they actually rescued me during a very difficult time in my life following the untimely loss of my first dog. Our house would not be a home without these two dogs. Every day they teach us about love and loyalty. They are our family in every sense of the word.
Hi, Florence. Thank you for putting me in touch with Mara. After reading your story and Mara's, I now understand not only what steps I should take to find the adult dog that would be right for me, but also what are some of the challenges I will face and why the effort will be worth it. I will let you know the minute I find the dog I want to share my home and life with. I am going to Bideawee to see if the next canine member of my household is waiting for me.
If these stories have inspired you; if you have time in your week and room in your heart to give some love to a love starved cat, you might consider joining the cat socializers. Please call the volunteer office at the Bideawee shelter nearest you:
Manhattan 212 532-4986
Westhampton 631 288-0591
ADOPTING AN OLDER DOG: Joys and Challenges
The Cat Who Changed My Life
The Lonely Cat's Best Friends
Therapy Benefits: What's In It for Me?
