I was just sitting on my couch minding my own business trying to figure out something to write, when my 12 year old King Charles Spaniel waddles over from the other side of the couch and spreads herself out over my lap.
Although this means I have to move my laptop just within arms reach to accommodate her, the fact that she’s come to cuddle for a bit makes it all worth it. And it got me thinking, having an old dog around the house can be just as fun as having a puppy.
I am not for one second suggesting that those of you that have dogs suddenly despise your pet as soon as they grow up, I’m sure you love it just as much, if not more! But sometimes we take our dogs for granted when they reach their older stages and we don’t stop to appreciate how lovely it is to have an older dog.
First of all, cuddles. Puppies are full of energy and don’t stop to breathe for five minutes, and that can be fun, but it can get old extremely quickly and sometimes the last thing you want to do while you’re having five minutes of peace is to play tug of war with a sofa cushion. Older dogs aren’t too bothered about play time and spend most of their days asleep…making them great snuggle partners for those days on the couch. Older dogs look extremely adorable when they sleep too.
Older dogs don’t require as much attention as puppies. Having a puppy is like having an infant, they need constant supervision to make sure they’re not making too much of a mess of your house, and they always want to play. Seniors just like to chill out, they like to go at their own pace and if they need you, they’ll come find you.
Although senior doggies are not constantly on your heel the way puppies are, you will find that they are extremely loving, they just show it in different ways. They’ll still be made up to see you when you come home, they’d be running to the door if they could but they’ll be more likely to show you how they feel by following you around the house just to be in the same room as you.
There’s also the fact that if you’ve had them from when they were puppies, you’ll have an amazing bond with them, you’ll have known and loved them all of their lives, have built up some great memories together and they’ll love and appreciate you right back.
But these aren’t just reasons why you’ll enjoy having an old dog from a puppy, it’s also a few good reasons to adopt an older dog if you’re thinking of adopting soon.
Yeah puppies are fun, but if you don’t have the time and energy to train and care for a puppy, maybe giving a home to an older dog might be the answer.
Just a suggestion!
By the way, the picture is of my dog Poppy, isn’t she an angel?
Mickey&Me 