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Adopting a Dog When YOU are a Senior
by Jeff Grognet and Louise Janes
When Elizabeth brought Beau in for his first examination, she was beaming. She had been lonely for several months since the loss of her husband of 52 years but Beau had already brought joy back into Elizabeth’s life.
Harold’s doctor gave him a prescription – “get a dog”. After having coronary bypass surgery, Harold’s rehabilitation program was spearheaded by Casey, a two-year-old adult Miniature Schnauzer. Besides making Harold smile, Casey stimulated Harold to walk twice a day.
Both Elizabeth and Harold faced the same dilemma before they committed to their new friends. Was it right to get another dog at their age? They both experienced resistance from friends and family. They were asked the obvious questions. Are you able to take your new companion for a walk every day? What happens when you’re gone? Who is going to take care of your companion?
There is always the possibility that your dog will outlive you, but if you are a senior, this concern looms large in the decision making process. To ease your mind, make arrangements well in advance for the care of your dog. Find out if a relative or a friend is willing to take on the role of caregiver. You can also look into rescue societies or make arrangements with your breeder to place your friend in a new home.
To lessen the financial burden for the person who is going to take your dog, set some money aside. This is the only way to ensure he enjoys the excellent nutrition and veterinary care you expect. You may choose to set up a trust with your will and appoint someone who knows your wishes to administer the funds. A lawyer should be consulted on these matters.
Many elderly people have difficulty exercising their canine friends, but that doesn’t make it impossible for them to have dogs in their lives. Gertrude has bad arthritis which makes long walks difficult, so she takes her dog back to her breeder twice each week for a play session with other dogs. John employs a professional dog walker while Barbara hires the 13-year-old next door to walk her Bassett. Bill drops his Golden Retriever off at a local canine daycare center for activity and socialization.
If you still think your age and condition prohibits you from getting a dog, or if you live in an apartment that prohibits owning a dog, you can still reap the benefits of canine companionship. Gary borrows a dog from a friend who works long hours. She doesn’t have a lot of time to get her Springer Spaniel, Delilah, out for walks. And though Gary can’t walk much himself, he takes Delilah out almost every day alongside his scooter. They both get lots of fresh air and Delilah gets a little exercise.
As you can see, aging is not a reason to miss out on the unconditional love only a dog can give. With a little planning, both you and your dog can live full lives.
For more information contact Dr. Jeff Grognet or Dr. Louise Janes at
Mid-Isle Veterinary Hospital,
5-161 Fern Road West,
Qualicum Beach, B.C.
Tel (250) 752-8969.
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