In this week’s issue, here’s what we are sniffing out

The Myths That Keep Senior Dogs Waiting

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month - my favorite month of the year.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m pretty passionate about adopting old dogs. I hear from so many people who want to, but they’re hesitant - usually because of a few common myths that just don’t hold up.

So I’m setting the record straight, using the senior dogs we’ve adopted over the years to play mythbusters in the name of old dogs!

Myth #1: “They’ll die too soon.”

Truth: For dogs, quality of life matters far more than quantity. When we adjust our expectations to match that, everything changes.

Older dogs are often past the chronic stress of youth. They love snuggling, binge-watching Netflix, quiet homes, and being near their people. Once they feel safe and loved, they often come back to life in ways that surprise everyone. I’ve seen ten-year-olds thrive for another five years simply because they were finally comfortable.

Purdy (13) lived a year and a half - not long, but we expected 6 months. She was a client’s dog we took so she didn’t go to the shelter when her living situation changed.

Esther was supposedly 10-11 at our adoption, and she lived 8 years with us when we expected 1-2.

Rose (14) was our only true hospice adoption. I knew she was really sick when I went to get her at the shelter, and only wanted to give her a loving, warm and cozy home for whatever time she had left, which was 2 weeks. I 100% do not regret one moment of that - in fact I learned as much from Rose as I did from the dogs we spent years with.

Groot (13) and Radar (16) lived 3 years with us. We expected a few months with Radar, and maybe a year with Groot.

Ginger (12) we’ve had for a year and she’s still like a puppy.

Myth #2: “There must be something wrong with them or they wouldn’t be looking for a home.”

Truth: A HUGE nope on this one. Most older dogs end up in shelters through absolutely no fault of their own.

The biggest reasons older dogs end up in shelters: owners unable to care for them anymore, owners died, or a change in life circumstances.

But it’s true that some people give up older dogs with medical issues because they can’t afford the care.

Purdy, Esther, Groot, and Ginger all lost their homes because their owners needed help with their own care in some way or another.

Rose’s mom died and left her 4 dogs with no backup plan, so they ended up in a shelter.

Radar was stray - at 16 he obviously wasn’t a flight risk from a home, and he was a genuinely good little guy, so he’s the only one we can’t account for here.

Grey Whiskers reminder: if you don’t have a plan for what happens to your pet if you can’t care for them anymore, you need to change that! Revisit relevant newsletter here.

Myth #3: “They will have expensive medical issues.”

Truth: Not always. Many younger seniors need only checkups every 6 months, a diet adjustment, regular nail trims, perhaps a joint medication or supplement.

Not that you asked, but my opinion has always been that predictable care of an old dog is easier than surprise puppy problems: house training, managing behavior issues, socialization, and expensive training (which requires a lot of time and energy from the entire family for success).

If money is the thing keeping you from adopting a senior, consider a forever foster situation. Many good rescue organizations offer the opportunity to foster older dogs long term - if they have the resources, they’ll share bill expenses or pay for medical care for aging pets.

Purdy had no medical expenses ****till the end.

Esther had medical issues after about 6 years, when she was really old for her size and the life she’d lived.

Groot and Radar needed medical help when they arrived to stabilize and then were fine for 2.5 years.

Rose needed hospice care, which wasn’t very expensive compared to diagnostics and treatment.

Ginger is fine!

Myth #4: “They won’t bond with me.”

Truth: Ummm. No. Older dogs are the epitome of man’s best friend… in waiting. The ones who’ve had loving people before know the drill. But many old dogs have sad backgrounds - to them, the gift of a loving, safe home is all they need to make them your new #1 fan, your ride or die.

An old dog is straight up grateful - they will cherish your presence in a way few young dogs do. They will appreciate your routines and love you fiercely.

In our home: Every. Single. Dog. Has embraced life with us, and loved us dearly. We got all the snuggles, all the stinky kisses, all the wagging tails.

Myth #5: “Old dogs don’t have any personality.”

Truth: Seniors are full of quirks, humor, and individuality - you just have to be patient with them while they become a part of your home, just like you do with a young dog.

They may not chase tennis balls for hours anymore, but before you know it, they’re expressing all their opinions, greeting you with a happy tail wag, or doing a little pre-dinner dance.

Most of our dogs came to us depressed, but once they learned they were safe and loved, they all blossomed.

Purdy used to play bumper dogs with Macy, and splashed in the ocean like a puppy.

Esther and Groot were the biggest goofballs and literally made us laugh every day.

Rose pulled other dog’s tails and had the funniest bark when she was demanding something.

Radar’s 12-pound frame was filled with opinions and demands.

Ginger is the one we feel probably had the best home; she immediately claimed me as hers and is my little shadow.

Myth #6: “It’ll be too hard to say goodbye.”

Truth: this one is hard to dispel. With love comes loss - loving a senior dog is bittersweet.

This is the thing that most people tell me is their biggest hesitation in adopting a senior dog. Saying goodbye is unquestionably heartbreaking. I recognize that it’s not for everyone, for sure. But part of what helps me say goodbye, and then heal, is the peace of knowing that we gave an old, otherwise unwanted dog a safe, happy home, whether it was for 2 weeks or 8 years.

Every senior dog deserves to leave this world knowing comfort.

And every person who opens their home to one learns something profound about compassion and gratitude.

Each dog we’ve lost has changed me and made me a better person. Is that the same as having them here with me? Absolutely not, but their lessons remain. They’ve taught me how to turn love and loss into something useful - to help the next dog who needs a safe place to land.

🛑 Stop for a second. Imagine your senior dog in a shelter. Would you want adopters to walk past them because they’re “too old” for a family?

🐶 Sniffing Out Senior Dog News 📰

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Senior Dog Meme of the Week  

How did we do with this week’s newsletter?

• High Paws

• Pooped in the House

The Grey Whiskers Community has launched. It’s a free space that unites those who love, care for, and work with senior dogs, without ego or competition, through specialized education and supportive resources, allowing senior dogs to thrive with comfort and joy. You can join for free here

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