Why Not a Senior?

"Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog." - Sydney Jeanne Seward

Young Goldens are easy to place but the Seniors are quite often bypassed because of their age. There is nothing like the love of a senior. They are usually quiet and gentle and display a level of maturity and contentment. They know you will give them the best years of their life.

Older Goldens have a sense of love and loyalty that the younger Goldens have yet to achieve. For those of you with a young companion dog, a Senior will quietly fit into your family and provide stability and wisdom which will benefit your 'youngster'. If you want the best friend you will ever have, please consider sharing your home and family with a Senior.

Many people are hesitant to give a "Golden Oldie" a good home because they think they're "too old" and will die soon. Golden Oldie ownership is filled with rewards and daily joys young dogs can't/don't provide until they're older! Some of the common misconceptions about older dogs are addressed below. Please review these and see if an EGRR older dog could be right for you!

"They won't live very long"

Well, they are older but they don't necessarily die sooner. Getting a young dog can be a 10-15 year commitment. Adopting a Golden Gem cuts that commitment in half. Many people find they have significant life changes planned in the next 7-10 years: kids leaving for college, retirement, major/overseas travel plans, change of job, finishing education, change of residence, etc. Golden Oldies make sense in these situations. (Pictured is Shane - age 18 and still going)

"We can't stand to lose one so soon"

Seniors may be with you less time than a puppy would but those years will be no less important, special or loving. Many people who adopt seniors eventually get a second, younger dog to lessen the impact of their Golden Oldie's eventual death. Many already have a younger one and are willing to open their hearts and homes to a needy "Oldie" to provide it with a great rest of its life. "'Tis better to have loved a Golden Oldie and lost him... than to have never had one at all"

"The kids need a puppy to grow up with"

Children do great with older dogs. First of all, a Golden Oldie is grown and ready to play the minute he/she comes home. Second, a Golden Oldie is past the jumpy, mouthy, rowdy phases that frighten many children. Third, Golden Oldies are less pushy and demanding and much more tolerant of little ones who don't always know how to be gentle. How many 2-3 year old dogs would lie quietly for an hour being the "patient" while their kids play doctor or lovingly and dutifully attend a tea party without eating all the snacks and leveling the table? Lastly, death is a part of life. Children learn about the life cycle very effectively through the loss of pets. Most children are content to have had a great time with a pet while it was alive and then take comfort in the knowledge it has gone to a better place.

"They won't play"

Older does not mean dead. Oldies romp and play with the best of the youngster with one great advantage: they know when to quit! Most love to play AND, unlike youngsters who think life is a 24-hour playtime, appreciate their quiet time afterward!

"They won't bond"

Goldens bond at any age, period. Whether eight weeks or eight years old, they love their masters. One of the great thing about goldens is their resilience to change. They live to please their humans and getting new ones is great fun at any age!

"They're too old to learn new tricks"

This is a huge misconception. Adult dogs are physically and emotionally mature and in fact learn much quicker than the young counterparts. Golden Oldies have learned that pleasing the humans and earning a spot at their feet it the greatest thing in the world. They especially love to do whatever will keep them in good graces at their masters' side.

"They get crotchety in their old age"

Golden Oldies are the nicest dogs you will ever own. Goldens age like fine wine, the older they get, the cuter they become. Older goldens generally love younger dogs and have actually been reported to help raise the youngsters into fine upstanding adults.

"They'll have health problems and be too expensive"

Consider the cost of the first two years of owning a puppy: All the shots, exams, sicknesses, genetic problems they might develop, things they chew and destroy, cost of spay/neuter, toys, multiple size collars and leashes, training classes, etc., and it adds up quickly. Golden Oldies are healthy, non-destructive and wise. Yes, they can have health problems late in life and there is no way to avoid these expenses if they crop up. But, they are the same expenses any owner would face in the later years of any dogs' life!

With a Golden Oldie "what you see is what you get". They are past most of the health and/or temperament problems that can be devastating in younger dogs. They are through the puppy and goofball phases of their lives and have earned their golden days in the sun. Can you help one spend his/her golden years in happiness?

Here are some more reasons why you should consider a senior:

• Mature- Senior dogs are calm, cool and serene. They don't demand attention as younger dogs do, nor do they require a constant watchful eye
• Companionship- Senior Goldens are content to simply be in the room with their family. Seniors are generally calmer than younger dogs. They tend to not jump up onto people when they greet them at the door. They are also less likely to scare small children by crowding them and are more likely to walk away from a wildly playing child than hurt them.
• Training- In most cases, older Golden Retrievers have been socialized with other dogs and trained (including "housebreaking"). It is also much easier to train a younger dog with a Senior dog to show them the way.
• Life Span- There are no guarantees with any dog you may adopt. Cancer, among other life threatening diseases occur in puppies, young dogs and older dogs. A Golden Retriever can easily live to 14-15 years. The memories a senior golden creates no matter how many years you spend together, will last your lifetime. A senior dog's health is already known in most cases (hip dysplasia, hereditary disease, arthritis). With a puppy, you won't know.
• A Senior Dog is an Adult There is no guessing how big he/she will get, guessing what house training issues there may be, less guessing on potential health issues and they already have their likes & dislikes packed in a bag to come along with them. You will know what you are getting the majority of the time. If you have a new baby, many visitors through your home, or need to leave your dog for long periods of time, please consider adopting a senior golden. They are more able to adapt to your ever changing environment, and will demand less of your time and attention. They will always love every little bit of time you are willing to give them and every new member of your family.