After Sharon Burdick’s dog Victor died of cancer two years ago, she couldn’t escape the shadow of loneliness. Her once-noisy house suddenly fell silent.
Even Burdick’s other dog, 10-year-old golden retriever Sandy, moped around the house with heavy paws.
Burdick, who is 67, decided she and Sandy needed another dog. But not just any dog, and especially not a pup. She wanted a dog that matched up to the both of them in age — a senior dog. A dog that was housebroken. And a dog that was slowing down just as she and Sandy were.
Her biggest barrier to adding a gray-whiskered pooch was the cost — adoption fees and medical bills. And that’s where Adopt a Golden Atlanta’s new program “Seniors for Seniors” came in. The group waived the $250-adoption fee, its policy for people 65 years and up adopting dogs 9 years of age and older.
Several other rescue groups and shelters also offer incentives to help seniors connect with older dogs and cats.
While younger animals comprise the largest group of adopted pets, older animals can be better matches for older adults, according to veterinarians and pet adoption agencies. Older pets are generally better trained and easier to control. And they can be good companions, especially for a person living alone.
Dr. William Carlson of Intown Animal Hospital in Atlanta said adopting dogs well beyond the puppy years gives owners a better sense of the personality and temperament of the pet. Older pets are also already vetted for chronic health conditions.
Older dogs experience medical issues just like people. Using the 7-years-for-every-year rule, a 10-year-old-dog can expect to experience some of the hearing and sight woes of a 70-year-old person, along with dental problems, joint pain, arthritis and cancer.
But while pet owners must consider the potentially high cost of caring for an older pet, good care, along with regular wellness checks, keeping up to date on vaccinations and preventative health screenings can help keep dogs and cats healthy longer, Dr. Carlson said.
And while older pets may not have the longevity of younger pets, he believes it can be satisfying to take care of mature pets as they age.
After Jon Bequeath’s cat of 20-plus years passed away about a year ago, he only considered older cats.
“Given the fact that I am well beyond 60, older animals are like older people: You get a little more settled in your ways and not as active,” said Bequeath, who lives in Atlanta.
He fell in love with 10 1/2-year-old Sosha the moment he laid eyes on her. He was instantly smitten with her panda-like appearance (white fur with black fur around the eyes). The cat had been in a local shelter for more than a year and was diabetic, which would require daily insulin injections.
“You couldn’t have a better companion,” said Bequeath, who lives alone. “Wherever I go, she goes — except when I take a shower. She might stick a paw in the curtain, but that’s as far as she gets.”
Bequeath said he realizes older pets may not live as long as a kitten, but he also believes a little TLC can go a long way.
“I feel the following: If you adopt an older animal, and you give them a little time and effort, you’d be surprised how well they do. So I am not so worried about waking up in the morning and she not being there.”
There are exceptions
Of course, older people and pets aren’t always such a good match.
Cathy Sleva, senior vice president of development for the Atlanta Humane Society, said while older people tend to be good matches for older dogs, a senior marathon runner would need a younger dog to keep up with his or her stride.
“An older dog may be able to jog, but only one mile. They don’t need as much exercise: They love to hang out and watch TV,” said Sleva.
Like shelters and rescue groups everywhere, the Atlanta Humane Society sees younger cats and dogs go first. And in general, the older the pet, the longer it stays in the shelter.
The Atlanta Humane Society offers reduced adoption fees for seniors 60 and up. The typical rates between $85 and $150 get reduced to $25 (as long as the prospective pet owners are getting only one pet and have no other pets in their home).
LifeLine Animal Project in Atlanta dedicates a month every year for free adoptions for seniors (in 2012, it’s September). The program is called “Rescues for Retirees,” and while the program doesn’t limit seniors to older dogs and cats, the two often make a good pair.
“Senior pets and senior humans are a good match because they richly deserve and can give each other the same things: appreciation, attention, patience, companionship and love. And while, as a rule, both pets and people become calmer with age, there’s a lot of life left to enjoy, so why not do it together?” said Therra Gwyn, communications director for LifeLine.
Lauren Genkinger, founder of Adopt a Golden Atlanta, said seniors are ideal for older dogs needing special care because retirees are often at home more. Volunteers with her organization provide rides to veterinarians for seniors who no longer drive, and will even help carry 50-pound bags of dog food into the house.
“The bottom line is it’s better to have that dog loved by someone than have a dog in a boarding facility waiting for a home,” she said.
Adopt a Golden currently has 52 dogs needing homes, and of those 17 are seniors.
A happy threesome
Burdick was connected with Charity, an 11-year-old golden retriever, about a year ago. Before Charity went home with Burdick, the dog got a full checkup, teeth cleaning and medicine to treat a skin condition. From there, it was happy barking all around.
For Burdick, the help from Adopt a Golden Atlanta made the difference between adding another dog and not.
“When I went into this initially, I was not working and living on my Social Security, barely making ends meet. I couldn’t afford anything,” said Burdick, who lives in Dahlonega and went back into nursing, working on a part-time basis. “I couldn’t afford dog training. I am in a little better shape now. Adopt a Golden helped put me over the hump.”
Burdick said when Charity first joined the family, top dog Sandy was shy at first. But before long, the two dogs became fast friends.
“They sleep about the same with short bursts of energy. We go on walks in nearby woods. ... If I say, ‘Come,’ they both come. One goes with the other. They are happy little creatures,” said Burdick.
With her three children grown, Burdick said her dogs provide her great companionship — and make her smile.
“Charity is just the sweetest dog. She has this weird way of making sounds. If I am making dinner and I have a can of beef, she will look at me, and I hear her say, ‘Mmm. Mmm’. She is funny.”
Burdick knows goldens have a life span of about 12 years. But she finds giving a happy home to a dog during its final years rewarding.
“Otherwise, what would happen to the dog? I can’t say I have rescued every dog that’s come my way. But I do feel like this is one less dog that’s not going to meet its Maker any earlier.”
So far, Charity has not had any health problems. And Burdick said she tries to enjoy her time with Charity and not worry about that time running out.
“You are not going to have 10 years or so, and maybe it’s three or four,” she said. “But it’s like any good relationship. One day could be like a lifetime.”
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