Bideawee Tails from a Volunteer
ADOPTING AN OLDER DOG: Joys and Challenges by Florence Scarinci
This is the first of a series on the joys and challenges of adopting an older dog.
A friend of mine recently lost her beloved dog. After a period of grief she began to consider getting another dog. Only this time instead of buying a puppy from a breeder, she considered adopting an older dog from rescue or a shelter. Never having adopted, and knowing that I and some of my friends had adopted from both breed rescues and shelters such as Bideawee, she asked some very good questions. Here are our email exchanges in which she voices and I answer her concerns.
Hi, Florence, I have finally gotten over Honey's death. Although I miss her terribly, I know the best tribute I can make to her and our bond, is to get another dog, shower it with the same affection I gave Honey, and hope that she gives me her love and loyalty in return.
Hi, Steph, I am happy for you. I know that Honey was such a special dog. She can never be replaced and she will always hold a piece of your heart. But I am sure there is another dog who will carve another place in that heart of yours and that soon you will be raving about what a great companion she is, how smart, how loving, how funny she is. Are you thinking of getting another Golden Retrieve puppy?
No, Florence, I am thinking about adopting an older dog. I am not sure I want another purebred dog but I haven't ruled out that possibility. I am also not as young as I used to be and I work part time several days a week now. So I don't know if it would be fair to get a puppy and try to train it and housebreak it.
That's great, Steph. There are lots of older dogs, both purebred and mixed, or as they say "All American dogs", waiting for "forever" homes.
Hi, Florence. Really? I am just confused though. I still haven't decided if I want another purebred dog. But if I do, how would I go about finding one that wasn't a puppy? I also don't know if I were able to get an older Golden Retriever, would I always be comparing her to Honey. Maybe I should get a different breed. But then I have to decide what breed. Where do I start?
Well, Steph, deciding on the breed is the first thing you have to do. Think about the physical characteristics you want. Do you want another big dog? Do you want one that requires the amount of grooming Honey required? Do you want one with that same sweet, biddable, and somewhat goofy, disposition? Think about your situation. You have a big family and lots of grandchildren. You certainly don't want a dog that has a reputation for being a one person dog and very protective of that person. Maybe you are looking for one that would enjoy the rough and tumble play your grandchildren would involve her in. You also love to jog. Is there a dog that would need a good amount of exercise and would welcome being your jogging companion? With your family and your love of the outdoors, you certainly don't want a delicate "couch potato" dog.
There are lots of books that can describe the characteristics of the breeds. The American Kennel Club publishes one entitled, The Complete Dog Book. Also you can go to the American Kennel Club website for a wealth of information. Go to the website, www.akc.org, and click on breeds. That will take you to the homepage of the national club for the breed you are considering. At each website responsible breeders will tell you the good points and the drawbacks of their dogs. For instance, you know how I love corgis. Let me use them as an example. If you go to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America website, you will find that corgis are smart and loyal but that they also bark and shed a lot. A barking dog might not win you friends with your neighbors. Plus you know how you hate to do housework. With a dog that has a double coat like a corgi, you would have to be vacuuming often. Corgis are herding dogs that move livestock from behind by nipping at heels. You don't want your grandchildren or the neighbor's children nipped by a dog that is not vicious but whose genetic imperative makes him think that he must get all those children back into the house. So those facts would dissuade you from getting a corgi.
You also asked how you would find an older purebred dog. At the same breed website you will find contact information for breed specific rescue. Every breed has a rescue group with devoted people who help to rehome their dogs. Although a reputable breeder will always take back one of his/her puppies, at any time, for any reason, sometimes people who have to give up a dog either do not know that fact; or originally purchased the dog from a pet shop where the breeder is not known; or are very far away from the breeder. So they turn the dog over to rescue or to shelters that may call the breed rescue.
Wow, Florence, that is a lot to think about. But here are a few more questions. These rescue people, aren't they just interested in getting their dogs to another home. How will I know if this dog they want to place with me is a good match for my situation? And why are these dogs in rescue anyway? Don't they all come with problems, some health related and some behavior related?
Steph, you are asking wonderful questions. Rescue people are devoted to their breed. They want to see their dogs placed in loving, suitable homes. Before you will be able to adopt from them, you will have to fill out a lengthy questionnaire and maybe even have a person visit your home (no, not to make sure you vacuum; just to be certain your circumstances are suitable for their dogs). They want you to be happy with the dog as well as the dog be happy with you.
You asked if all these dogs in rescue come with problems. I cannot give you a simple yes or no answer to that question. Some of these dogs are in rescue through no fault of their own. For some the original owner had to go to a nursing home or was transferred to another state and their new living quarters did not allow dogs. Or the couple had a new baby who was allergic to the dog. These are perfectly fine dogs, well trained and used to living in company of humans.
Others of these dogs are also in rescue through the fault of their original owner. These people did not take the time to research the characteristics of the dog they wanted. Some of these bought dogs on impulse. That cute little "doggie in the window with the waggily tail", grew to be 75 pounds and needed an hour's worth of exercise a day. The owners were not prepared for that size dog or that amount of exercise. Or the owners did not take the time to teach the dog how to be a good housemate. They did not take the dog for obedience lessons. Or their lifestyle really should have precluded getting a dog. They worked long hours and wondered why they could not housebreak the dog. These dogs do have problems, but they are nothing that a little time, structure, and training cannot fix.
You also asked about health problems. I can assure you that the rescue people will not match you with "a pig in a poke". Dogs that come into breed rescue are screened for health. The rescue people will make sure the dogs are up-to-date on vaccinations, tested for heartworm, and checked for the genetic problems that purebred dogs can have. In fact many rescue groups have special funds to help dogs who need veterinary attention get the care they need before they go into permanent homes. If dogs need dental cleaning or treatment for heartworm, they will receive care before they are placed. If the dog has a long term problem such as hip displasia, you will be informed. You will not have to adopt a dog without knowing what the long term problems and expenses will be. As I said before, breed rescue people love their dogs. They work for no pay just for the satisfaction of finding an appropriate placement for the breed they fancy. While they are not interested in having a revolving door to rescue, they will take the dog back if the adoption does not work out.
Well, Florence, I am really thinking that I don't want a purebred dog. Maybe I should save a life and adopt a mixed breed dog from a shelter. The same questions apply. Aren't these shelters just looking to move dogs out? Do they really know the dogs that are turned into them?
Steph, adopting a mixed breed from a shelter to save a life is a very admirable thing to do. The reasons that dogs are turned into breed rescue are the same reasons dogs wind up in shelters. It is not always the dog's fault. It could be failure on the part of the human to consider the physical characteristics and needs of the dog. It could be a failure to train the dog. Or it just could be a drastic change in life situation.
I can also assure you that the same principles that breed rescue folks follow are followed by the staff in municipal and private shelters, like Bideawee. The dedicated workers in places like Bideawee are committed to finding permanent homes for the dogs that come into their care. They are interested in "matches made in heaven". When dogs are surrendered to Bideawee, the staff tries to find out as much as they can about the dog: what mix of breeds, how old, what health issues, what behavioral issues. In fact, Bideawee has behaviorists on staff who assess each dog and determine what situation would be the best placement. Would the dog do well in home with young children, older children, no children? Is the dog fearful? Does she guard her food? Has she had obedience training? Does she require a lot of exercise? Does she know how to walk nicely on a leash? Shelters have staff and volunteers who work with the dogs to improve their manners and make them more adoptable.
Just as with breed rescue, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire describing your circumstances and your requirements in a dog. When you adopt a dog from Bideawee, you know that the staff has made every effort to place the dog in an appropriate situation. You can also be assured that the dog is healthy, up-to-date on shots, tested for heartworm, and spayed or neutered.
You know, Florence, money is not a factor in my decision, but are there costs involved in adopting from a breed rescue or a shelter?
Yes, Steph. Both the breed rescue groups and the shelters charge nominal fees to adopt. You understand that there are costs involved in housing and feeding a dog for however long it takes to find the dog a good home. But these fees are low compared to the purchase price of a puppy.
Florence, I know that you and some of your friends have adopted from Bideawee or gotten a dog from breed rescue. Can you share your experiences? Can you tell me the challenges and the joys?
Yes, Steph, I will and I will ask my friends who have adopted from Bideawee to share their stories.
TO BE CONTINUED.
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
The Cat Who Changed My Life
The Lonely Cat's Best Friends
Therapy Benefits: What's In It for Me?
