papa tiger
Well-known Member
If one loses their pet, sure give another a good home. They need that care and love to survive.
Should Seniors Get New Pets?
- Thread starter Della
- Start date
I know, no doubt, that I would die without a dog in my home. I have 3 now, 2 rescues and one inherited when my best friend died. His last words, said to a friend on the phone while waiting for the ambulance, take care of Bear. He was brought to me that same night.
He is too big for me, 90lbs, and he sheds like crazy, a chow, but is a wonderful dog. Loves everyone, loves others dogs. The vet was a little afraid at first, got him on the table and was promptly given a tongue bath. They do put him in a room straight away, he wants to play with other dogs in the waiting room which scares their parents. My neighbors know him, that he is safe, won't hurt anyone but might knock them down for a kiss.
My two littles won't play with him, I think because they are afraid of getting hurt. He would never hurt them on purpose. They however, are fine with him living here and only fuss when he comes in my bedroom. The littles sleep in the bed with me and worry he might get up on the bed. He has never done this, he just sometimes like to sleep on the floor on my side.
No one in my opinion should be without a pet just for company and affection. They are needed for health and longevity. I am sure I have told this story here. We went on vacation for a week, my Mom was keeping the family dog while we were away. When we returned, I called and said I was coming to get the dog. She said NO!, I think Susie is just fine with me here. This cracked me up as Mom had never been a dog person, of course once anyone is exposed, they are hooked. The dog lived with her for the rest of it's life, very loved and spoiled.
I will get another if I lose anyone. I would like to have another puppy for that lifetime bond but it will be a rescue, and it will be a small breed. I have no doubt that family members will take my dogs, they are all dog lovers.
He is too big for me, 90lbs, and he sheds like crazy, a chow, but is a wonderful dog. Loves everyone, loves others dogs. The vet was a little afraid at first, got him on the table and was promptly given a tongue bath. They do put him in a room straight away, he wants to play with other dogs in the waiting room which scares their parents. My neighbors know him, that he is safe, won't hurt anyone but might knock them down for a kiss.
My two littles won't play with him, I think because they are afraid of getting hurt. He would never hurt them on purpose. They however, are fine with him living here and only fuss when he comes in my bedroom. The littles sleep in the bed with me and worry he might get up on the bed. He has never done this, he just sometimes like to sleep on the floor on my side.
No one in my opinion should be without a pet just for company and affection. They are needed for health and longevity. I am sure I have told this story here. We went on vacation for a week, my Mom was keeping the family dog while we were away. When we returned, I called and said I was coming to get the dog. She said NO!, I think Susie is just fine with me here. This cracked me up as Mom had never been a dog person, of course once anyone is exposed, they are hooked. The dog lived with her for the rest of it's life, very loved and spoiled.
I will get another if I lose anyone. I would like to have another puppy for that lifetime bond but it will be a rescue, and it will be a small breed. I have no doubt that family members will take my dogs, they are all dog lovers.
ElCastor
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern CA
We have had two Birmans. Great Great cats! My all time favorite, Willy, would greet visitors at the door. They loved him, as we did too. Sadly our Birmans have passed on. Our current cat, a Tuxedo, is another great one. Love those cats.
This is a very good question. It would help if we knew when we're going to die!
I don't have a dog or cat, I have small furries. Their lives are shorter but they could still out-live me. My mother was in her nineties when she died, but that doesn't mean I will live to that age. One of my birds just died and I immediately went out and bought a replacement. Birds are used to being part of a flock, so it was the right thing to do. Both my guinea pigs are now on borrowed time. Should I replace them when they die.....not sure at the moment.
I don't have a dog or cat, I have small furries. Their lives are shorter but they could still out-live me. My mother was in her nineties when she died, but that doesn't mean I will live to that age. One of my birds just died and I immediately went out and bought a replacement. Birds are used to being part of a flock, so it was the right thing to do. Both my guinea pigs are now on borrowed time. Should I replace them when they die.....not sure at the moment.
I was thinking about birds but they live longer than dogs. I had a a cockatiel that lived to 30 years old and l had a Zebra Dove way smaller than regular size doves that originate in China and now a common bird living in Hawaii. Tree trimmers saved two in a nest, we took them, fed them by hand until they ate bird seed. Then the day came for their liberation and the male flew happily away into a huge tree. There were alot of other doves there I'm sure he did well, knowing what to eat etc.
The female flew on to my shoulder and played with my earring. Then home we went. After about a year l was sitting at my computer and she on my head when something rolled off. It was her first egg. They lay two a month.
I gave them many hours a day to give them flying time. The dove lived to 15 years old which is their normal lifespan. She loved to be held in my hand to be cuddled and that's where she passed away. Buried her in the back yard. She had a long good life.Every morning she would greet me with a dove song. I would love to have birds again but cannot.
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old medic
Senior Member
- Location
- Western NC
We got our 1st dog in in January of 85, at one time we had 7 dogs. When we moved from our house we left a pet cemetery of a dozen dogs, and brought 3 with us. Since then we have buried all 3 here. The last one in sept of 22 at 17 years old. We have nearly got 3 different ones since, but we just haven't jumped yet. The more we talk, the less likely it seems we ever will.
JustDave
Well-known Member
I was rejected by the dog adoption service for not having a fenced yard and not about to put one up out here in the country. I had a golden retriever years ago that could climb a 5 ft high cyclone fence (chain link type), so I'm not a big fan of fencing. I had to train him to stay home. Of course, some dogs may not be trainable.
I ended up buying another golden from a breeder. Cost me a thousand dollars, but it turns out, it was a good decision. He's a well behaved dog, and seems to actually want to follow directions. I suspect many rescue dogs may have gotten to that point for being runaways, so adoption services may place a heavy premium on fencing. I understand that. Here's Jackson a month after I brought him home. That was almost 3 years ago.
I ended up buying another golden from a breeder. Cost me a thousand dollars, but it turns out, it was a good decision. He's a well behaved dog, and seems to actually want to follow directions. I suspect many rescue dogs may have gotten to that point for being runaways, so adoption services may place a heavy premium on fencing. I understand that. Here's Jackson a month after I brought him home. That was almost 3 years ago.
AprilSun
Senior Member
That's exactly how is feel. I lost my cat several years ago. My family asked me if I was going to get another one but I'm not. The reason is, I have no one to care for it if for some reason I can't. I can't stand the thoughts of what might happen to it when I'm gone if it should outlive me.
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
Beautiful dog!
hawkdon
Well-known Member
- Location
- Liberty MO
My neigh bor lady and i are chatting on nextdoor about the
two strays that have showed up, she got one to eat some but
thaats about it...one came in my place last eve, but scared and
ran back out, and the other large cat seems to be bullying the
smaller one,....will call animal control tomorrow about a trap and get them out of the weather....
two strays that have showed up, she got one to eat some but
thaats about it...one came in my place last eve, but scared and
ran back out, and the other large cat seems to be bullying the
smaller one,....will call animal control tomorrow about a trap and get them out of the weather....
officerripley
Well-known Member
- Location
- Porlock, Calif
Unfortunately, I've got no family that could take my dogs; my nephew (only family I've got anywhere nearby)is a dog lover but his wife not so much. She doesn't hate pets, they just don't matter that much to her, plus they live in kind of a family compound with her daughters' and boyfriends' big rambunctious dogs running around that I'm afraid would make short work of a small, bereaved dog. And my nephew and niece both work long hours in the elder care industry, and even when home are busy doing a lot to maintain that huge property they live on.
I think more and more seniors are in my position too.
officerripley
Well-known Member
- Location
- Porlock, Calif
Same position I'm in.
ElCastor
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern CA
The Double Yellow Head Amazon you see at the left is approaching 50 years old. Some similar Amazons have made it to 100.
Nathan
SF VIP
- Location
- High Desert- Calif.
Our last set of dogs(before our 2 we presently have) had such horrible health, one had bladder stones, then seizures, the other had diabetes, glaucoma, they both succumbed to pancreatitis. I've often wondered if the flea & tic meds were to blame, or maybe the kennel disinfectant we were using.
Oh I think a Corgi wouldn't have any trouble being re-adopted, she probably got a good loving second home. And animals are so good at attaching to a new owner I don't think there is any need to feel bad at all.
Of course, the not knowing for sure is hard.
MarkD
Keeper of the Hounds & Garden
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Me three. I feel a little foolish for having got a puppy that is 3 now. I do worry about her out surviving me as she is very attached. If I outlive her and still need a dog in my life I will go to an organization that fosters out dogs who have lost their humans.
JustDave
Well-known Member
I fed him a bowl of plain rice last night. He was fine this morning. He was a bundle of energy on our hike. I haven't read or heard about any side effects from his tick meds. He threw up a lot when he was a pup, but he got over that. I don't know if that means anything or not. Dogs get sick. I had one die at three years from a twisted intestine. My next one lived to eighteen.
feywon
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rural North Central NM
That would be my problem, i'd be a massive fail at fostering.
officerripley
Well-known Member
- Location
- Porlock, Calif
I just wish I hadn't had to rely on dogs mostly for friendship (although they made really great friends). But suffering from emotional damage from birth on, that's how I coped. I just hope I never go blind because reading, along with my Huzz, are all I have left. As an elderly person whom I really looked up to said seriously to me when I was about 15, "Don't get old."
squatting dog
We don't have as far to go, as we've already been
- Location
- Arkansas, and also Florida
Yep... we've left cemeteries at several of our previous houses. With everyone, I made the next owner sign a contract to leave the cemetery where it is.
Each time I bury one, I swear I won't go through that again. I lied. Got 4 right now.
Twostep
Well-known Member
- Location
- Tiny town Oklahoma, OK
I still see two step all over the house. She was a tiny long haired tortoise. She stayed with us for 18 years until one Friday afternoon she said enough is enough. No more shots or IVs.
That little stinker was voice trained and loved to squirrel hunt with us. We untrained her desire for wild turkey in a hurry.
That little stinker was voice trained and loved to squirrel hunt with us. We untrained her desire for wild turkey in a hurry.