I wanted to continue from the last blog regarding losing a pet to let people know some of the mistakes that people make after losing a pet and while grieving.

The first thing people do is not want to have to go through the loss of a pet and the grieving process for a very long time to come and usually ONLY want a puppy or young dog, this includes senior citizens.

I would say that 70% of the Poodles that come into our rescue are due to the passing or inability to care for them, of their elderly owner. I think it is important to have the whole family, especially the grown children on-board when their elderly parent/s make a decision about getting another dog. Taking on a young dog is unfair to that dog down the road if something happens to it's elderly owner/s, if they become incapacitated who will be responsible for the care of the young and exuberant dog that needs to be walked and played with? When you try to talk to some senior people who have just lost their pet about adopting a young dog their answer is always well my son or daughter will take care of it........but our 70% shows that is absolutely not the case. They have their own lives, children, full time jobs and their own pets and sometimes it is just not feasible to take on a dog. If they were originally in agreement, circumstances from when their parents took on the dog to now change, especially with this economy people are traveling and moving to keep their jobs. The dog then bounces back to the shelter or a rescue organization. This week alone I have heard three different stories of senior citizens in their 70's - 80's purchasing puppies and now they are incapacitated the dogs have to find new homes, via rescue organizations.

If the children of the elderly parents can take on the dog, it still means the dog has to adjust to a new way of life, environment and home. Where before it lived in a quiet senior home as the only cherished pet, it is now transported into a hustle and bustle household with kids and other pets and it is very sad for the dog. Some dogs just cannot adjust when put into a totally different environment and start to exhibit behavior issues such as growling and bearing teeth, urinating and pooping in the house, you have to remember that a dog like this has been used to having someone around all day with it and being let outside to go potty at will.

At Toy Poodle Rescue, if we take in a dog from a senior home we always evaluate the dog but for the most part we try to place it back into the same environment it has been used to. We also do not place puppies in homes that cannot match the dogs energy level and needs or if someone is working full time and the dog would be crated all day, as that would be unfair to the dog.

I am a huge proponent of placing dogs in senior homes, I have seen it give new life to senior citizens by giving them a companion and having a reason to get up everyday and get out for a walk. When they don't feel like going to the store for themselves they absolutely will make the effort if they need pet food. So I would ask the children of their senior parents to please get involved in helping them make good and informed decisions about getting another dog and the age and temperament of the dog. It is very hard to loose a pet but I think it is much harder to worry about what is going to happen to your pet if you are not there to care for them.

We heard the other day about a Poodle that lived to 22 years old, by someone I was chatting to. If you feed good food, minimal chemicals, including not over vaccinating your Poodle and just educate yourself on the needs of your dog, they too can live very, very long lives. Therefore PLEASE consider adopting an older dog rather than a puppy, they too need a new home and someone to love them. Senior Poodles are like senior citizens, they love a quiet life, routine and taking a nap on the couch with you in the afternoon, BUT they also love to play with toys, romp around the garden while you are weeding and be there for you whenever you need them, because they need you just as much. Here is a link to read about adopting older dogs.

Please also read...Another senior Poodle and then go take a look at adorable Nino and Tigi on our available dogs page, they wait for that perfect home who does not judge them because they are older but wants them because of what they can give to that home and person who adopts them, both are totally potty trained and have perfect manners and are the easiest and gentlest Poodles to have around. I personally have three senior Poodles and my home will NEVER be without a senior Poodle they are just the best!!!!

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." written by Cheryl Zuccaro