Ok, ok, so these might be marriage vows, but I personally see that there shouldn't be any difference between the vow you take with your chosen partner and the vow you take when you chose your soul mate, do you?
Today, albeit a little late, I have chosen to be a part of the Blog the Change blog hop. Blog the Change is a quarterly post where they ask bloggers to come together and write about an animal cause that is both near and dear to our hearts!
Today, I have chosen to write about something that irks me to no avail...
...Senior Dog Dumping!
I will never understand why some humans chose to take their best friends to the county shelters or even rescue groups, just because it takes them a bit longer to go on their walks with you, or because they aren't as sprite as they used to be, or maybe because they need some arthritis medication to feel good in the morning. :-(
Some may chose to be the devil's advocate and tell me that each case is different, but I'm sorry, I will not side with you.
How utterly sad is this? Especially when you think that those senior dogs will have a much harder time finding forever homes in either shelters or rescues. Older pups have problems, medically, in adapting to shelter life as well...diseases such as Kennel cough, although highly treatable, can take a senior pup down quickly and lying on a cold, damp, and hard cement floor can be awful for a dog suffering from arthritis!
Luckily for some of those awesome and talented senior pups, who find themselves looking for new homes, there are private, no-kill rescue groups and shelters out there that are happy to take them in! But they are few and far between, so many senior pups fall through the cracks and are euthanized.
So, what can we do?
Realize how awesome senior dogs are!! And consider adopting one next time!
Check out and support senior dog rescue groups!!
Educate friends and family members, to make sure that this doesn't happen to those we love!!
So what are your opinions, thoughts, dreams, hopes, ideas, and concerns?? :-D
...Senior Dog Dumping!
I will never understand why some humans chose to take their best friends to the county shelters or even rescue groups, just because it takes them a bit longer to go on their walks with you, or because they aren't as sprite as they used to be, or maybe because they need some arthritis medication to feel good in the morning. :-(
Some may chose to be the devil's advocate and tell me that each case is different, but I'm sorry, I will not side with you.
"He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." (author unknown)As the Senior Dogs Project points out, "Advancing age is a significant disadvantage in the "civilized" and "westernized" nations of the world, whether it appears in a dog or in a person. When the "youth cult" is added to the "throw-away" mentality of our society, the result is that little thought is given to preservation or conservation, and little patience is applied to making possessions or relationships last. If it's old or broken, obsolete or unattractive, it is put on the trash heap. When it comes to dogs, we see heart-breaking examples of this mentality, in many cases because people think of a dog as a disposable possession rather than a companion with whom they are in a relationship. And, of course, even if there is a relationship, if it becomes inconvenient, well, then, why not just end it?"
How utterly sad is this? Especially when you think that those senior dogs will have a much harder time finding forever homes in either shelters or rescues. Older pups have problems, medically, in adapting to shelter life as well...diseases such as Kennel cough, although highly treatable, can take a senior pup down quickly and lying on a cold, damp, and hard cement floor can be awful for a dog suffering from arthritis!
Luckily for some of those awesome and talented senior pups, who find themselves looking for new homes, there are private, no-kill rescue groups and shelters out there that are happy to take them in! But they are few and far between, so many senior pups fall through the cracks and are euthanized.
So, what can we do?
Realize how awesome senior dogs are!! And consider adopting one next time!
- You totally know what you are going to get with a senior dog! They have distinct personalities that are already formed, no surprise like puppies!
- Lots of senior dogs are super smart and already have either had training or at least know their basic commands! WooHoo!!
- Can you say, "potty trained?"
- Most senior pups are a bit calmer than crazy younger dogs!! They are just as happy to sit and watch a movie as they are to go to the dog park!
- When teaching them new things, most senior dogs have waaaay longer attention spans than energetic young-ens!
- You are truly saving a life when you adopt a senior dog!
Check out and support senior dog rescue groups!!
Educate friends and family members, to make sure that this doesn't happen to those we love!!
So what are your opinions, thoughts, dreams, hopes, ideas, and concerns?? :-D
A super post Freckles - thank you!
ReplyDeleteWally & Sammy
Nice one! We cannot understand why someone would get rid of a pet because they are old. Our Pip is 87 gazillion years old and we love her. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Mollly
What an awesome post - all my doggies have lived very long lives my last sheltie was 18 and I would not of missed a day with her. It makes me so angry when people decide an old dog is to much to take care - but sadly many seem to think of elderly humans the same way. After all the love and devotion my dogs give me through their lives - there is NO WAY I could just toss them aside because of their age.
ReplyDeleteI thinkk this post is wonderful. I can and will not understand how so called animal lovers geet rid of a pet because its old. I had two spaniels who both lived long lives. One Twinkle was first blind and then later deaf but no matter still remained faithful and enjoyed life until the end. The other Snoopy was so riddled with arthritis that walking to the end of the street was a toil. we carried him and let him sniff the fresh grass and just take in the smells and sights. We did this because we believe a pet is part of the family and is for life. Now Jasper is ailing but we do anything we can because he also is for life. I so wish that we could wave a wand and educate all th one's that dont care.. Hugs GJ x
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more! When someone gets a dog, they should be in a relationship with that dog until the end of the dog's life! I will never understand the concept of "dumping" dogs...whether young or old. A dog is a blessing and should be treated as such.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this post and for including the list of senior dog rescue groups! Hugs, Oz
We completely agree! Regardless of age, they all deserve the best.
ReplyDeleteOne of our most rewarding fosters was a ten year old blind lab that I saw on Kijiji, listed as free to good home. When I inquired the response was, "we don't know what to do with him." I kept my mouth shut and took him in. He was just a big love who was adopted by a wonderful couple.
Terrific post! It drives mom crazy to read of seniors being left at shelters... Some people we'll never understand!
ReplyDeleteWell said Goose! I agree and have seen this pretty often. Once, a woman's younger dog bit her old dog and it's eye became extremely disgusting and needed to be removed. The lady decided she didn't want the old dog anymore and wanted us to euthanize her. The vet I worked for decided to take her in, remove her eye and find her a home.
ReplyDeleteGood job Goose! I also hate it when old dogs are dumped! What are their humans thinking?
ReplyDeleteI know it's very hard on the rescues I volunteer for when they have owner surrenders with senior dogs. Sometimes they find great homes, sometimes it becomes hospice care. Either way owners are abandoning their responsibilities and it is so aggravating. Thanks for the wonderful post.
ReplyDeletePoochieProject.com
My cousin works at a rescue that takes in lots of seniors with medical issues...knowing full well the expense is likely to be theirs to pay. Luckily we have great people in the world doing these heartwarming things for our seniors.
ReplyDeleteThat is a fabulous post!
ReplyDeleteNola
Wonderful post. I don't understand how anyone can do this.
ReplyDeleteMom also gets so angry at all the craiglist posts "moving and can't take my wonderful dog with me" WHAT???? How do you do that.
I don't understand it. I've always found the bond with an animal grows stronger and stronger over the years.
ReplyDeleteMore than any other dog in a shelter, my heart goes out to the seniors. They should be cherished in their old age, not abandoned!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thedogplace.org/FAMILY-DOG/The-Old-Man_Arthur.asp
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thedogplace.org/PROSE/Old-Man-And-His-Dog.asp
Howdy Little Goose, we are right with ya on this one. Our mum has always had a soft spot for the oldies (probably cause she is one herself ahahahah, shhhhh don't tell her we told you!). Our sissy has just recently adopted an old girl, Jinx, from her friend who sadly and truly, could not take her when moving to another state. You can see her photos on our blog. They had Jinx for 12 years and we were more than happy to embrace her into our family. She is a total gem. We love her to bits and we agree, oldies are goldies!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great post.
No worries, and love, Stella and Rory
Thank you for participating in Blog the Changing Day and highlighting the plight of senior dogs! Sometimes an older dog will end up in a shelter because their owner is sick and can no longer care for them or because they may have already passed away themselves. This is a very different situation than when someone gives up an older dog simply because it becomes an inconvenience! I agree with you - when you get a dog, you are making a commitment to take care of that dog for its entire life. Dogs are not throw-away commodities. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteVicki Cook
Team BTC4A
Nice post! It breaks my heart to see these older dogs left out for nothing! I look at my Boxer girl's beautiful greying face and fall more in love with her everyday.
ReplyDelete