About Senior Dogs Two linked pages on our site you might want to visit are:  Why Adopt a Senior  Care of Geriatric Pets When Buddy was ten, I took him to the vet's for a geriatric work-up. (First, let me explain that the "beauty parlor" was downstairs from the vet, so he was in that building several times a year, and they all know him on sight.) While Bud was in the waiting room, a technician who knew him well strolled by and asked why he was here. She was shocked when I told her, the tech thought he was three or four years old! She's been handling him all this time and never had a clue that he was a senior citizen! The receptionists agreed. In fact, most of our neighbors would agree, too. There's A LOT to be said for the older guys. That first year, when they are puppies, is tough! They go through lots of learning: where to "go" (and where not to "go"); what to chew and what not to chew; learning their names; learning to come when called; to sit and heel on command; to stay in the yard; who's a stranger and who's welcome in their homes; ALL KINDS OF STUFF. By the time they're five or six years old, they've got all the basics mastered! Here's what my rescue friend, Jude Fine, says about senior canine citizens: "Ease of care. Senior dogs, in most cases, do not have the same exercise requirements as their younger counterparts. They have experienced the chewing/destructive stage long ago, and want nothing more than a warm pair of feet to lie by or a soft lap or couch to snuggle on. Their daily/weekly walks can be therapeutic for *both* dog and owner! Although some senior dogs may require more frequent veterinary visits, the joys of owning a senior dog will greatly outweigh the effort involved, as will the extra years of companionship gained." Boy, is she right about that! And you know what? You can teach an old dog new tricks! Checkmate is a prime example of this. He went from one family and lifestyle to the almost total opposite when he moved in with us, and his health and outlook on life totally improved. Buddy showed him alot, and he really learned how things work in our house. Bud didn't manage to teach him to run from window to window chasing the kids that run past outside, but Checkmate was really cool about going for walks and chasing after tennis balls :) And then, of course, comes the part of a pet's life that all long-time owners dread: time to cross the Rainbow Bridge. We found some wonderful articles and advice on the Petopia.com website that she felt were worth posting here. Love and Loss If you'd like to see more of our dogs, visit our family page with photos and family news! This page last updated 3/31/02 Get your own FREE Website at