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10 Great
Reasons to Open Your Heart to a Senior Pet
- Older dogs have manners. Unlike puppies, many grown-up
dogs have spent years living with a family and being socialized to life
with humans. They may have received obedience training and respond to
commands like sit, stay, and down. Many are house trained and it takes
a matter of hours or a day or two to help them learn the potty rules
in their new home.
- Senior pets are less destructive. Most older adoptive
pets are well past the search-and-destroy phase. You don't need to worry
so much about finding your favorite pair of shoes or a table leg chewed
beyond recognition. Chances are your senior kitty has no urge to overturn
your potted plant or shred the handmade quilt your grandma gave you.
- What you see is what you get. A senior pet holds
no surprises as to how big he might get, what color his adult coat will
be, or whether his hips will be healthy. A senior pet comes to you with
his own history, which makes his future much more predictable than that
of an 8-week old puppy or kitten.
- You can teach an old dog new tricks. Adult dogs can
focus on the task at hand (unlike many of their much younger counterparts).
If your adopted older pet needs to learn a few things in her new life
with you, not to worry. Enroll her in an obedience class, contact a
trainer, or go the do-it-yourself route. Older dogs are more attentive
than puppies, and more eager to please their humans.
- You can custom order your senior pet. If you're looking
for a short-haired cat, for example, or a kitty with no history of dental
disease, you can search until you find an older pet with exactly those
attributes. If you already have a cat and need your adoptive dog to
get along with cats, again, you'll have a much better chance of finding
an older adoptive dog who is a perfect companion for your family.
- You can adopt a purebred pet if you want. If you
really love a certain breed of dog or cat, chances are there's a breed
rescue club that can point you in the direction of older purebred pets
in need of homes.
- Senior pets are great company for senior citizens.
Many elderly people find the calm presence of an older pet very comforting.
They appreciate having a companion who is also 'getting up there' in
age, doesn't mind hearing the same stories again and again, and is content
to move through life at a slower speed.
- Older pets are relaxing to hang out with. Senior
dogs and cats have all the basics down and aren't full of wild energy
to burn. Because you're not constantly chasing around or cleaning up
after your older pet, you have a lot more time to spend finding fun
things to do or just relaxing together.
- Adopted senior pets are grateful for your kindness.
Somehow, older pets seem to know you gave them a home when no one else
would. Many new owners form a close bond very quickly with their senior
dog or cat, because the pet shows them a level of attention and devotion
that is unique to older adopted animals.
- You can be a hero to a deserving dog or cat. Almost
without exception, people who adopt older animals feel a special sense
of pride and purpose in opening their heart to a hard-to-place pet.
Doing a good thing really does make you feel good!
Smoke (cat)
and Walter
(dog) are current senior residents at Noah's Ark and are looking for their
forever home! Both would make a wonderful addition to your family.
Get Your Doggone Good
Cookbook Today!
 Noah's
Ark Animal Foundation's Doggone Good Cookbook is here! These
cookbooks make excellent gifts for all your animal-loving friends and
family! Cookbooks can be purchased at the shelter Tuesday
through Friday from 1:00–5:00, and Saturday from 10:00-4:00. You can also
order cookbooks from us and have them delivered directly
to your door. Cookbooks are $15.00 each, plus shipping and handling. Your
purchase of our Doggone Good Cookbook makes it possible for us
to continue our work.
In addition to over 200 of the best recipes submitted by friends
of Noah's Ark, the cookbook is a "whose who" of Noah's Ark residents and
alumni, with over 150 pictures of our (and your!) beloved animal companions.
We've also got Happy Ending stories, a place to keep track of your favorite
recipes, and a chapter devoted to dog and cat treats. Take
a peek inside and then order your cookbook! Bone
Appétit!
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Kuranda Dog Beds
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