November is “Adopt a Senior Pet Month.” This is an important month for shelters and rescues who struggle in getting senior pets adopted. Unfortunately, senior pets are too often overlooked by adopters, and spend their golden years longing for that special someone to take them home. Sadly, many of these cute little guys end up never seeing a home again or being “put to sleep.” But this month is dedicated to getting these special pets out of the shelters for good. If you are considering adopting, here are a few reasons why adopting a senior pet might be for you:
- They like to chill
Let’s be real, puppies are adorable and all, but they can be a lot of work. They require so much attention, training, and exercise. We all know that if you neglect to give your hyper puppy the proper exercise in their early stages, you may very well come home to a destroyed house. The good news is, senior pets like to chill out. For the most part, they are happy with one good long walk a day, and will spend the rest of their day just hanging out. They’re happy to be your company, but don’t need to be watched 24/7.
- They are easily trainable
What a lot of people don’t realize about senior pets is that they most likely have lived in a home before. Many senior pets end up in shelters because their owners passed away, or had to surrender them due to life changing circumstances. So many senior pets already know basic commands, can adjust quickly to a home setting, and many of them are potty trained. Potty training is a pain in the booty. I definitely don’t miss the days where I had to wake up twice a night to take my puppy out to pee. The great thing about seniors is even if they haven’t been potty trained, they pick up on it very quickly and can usually hold their pee for much longer than a puppy (unless they have a medical issue that is).
- They will bond with you
I have heard people concerned about adopting a senior pet because they feel like they won’t bond with them the way a puppy will. They like the idea of raising a dog from its puppy stages, so they can have a stronger relationship. From experience, I can tell you that senior dogs bond just like any other dog would. Dogs and cats are social beings; they yearn for that attachment and bonding at all ages. It can be so rewarding when you finally bond with a senior pet and know they trust you and care for you.
- They will be forever grateful
The most wonderful thing about adopting a senior pet is that it can be so gratifying. Adopting a senior pet means saving their life, it means they don’t have to spend the rest of their life staring at the kennel wall, it means they get to spend their later years living comfortably and it means they get to feel loved again.
- They will teach you things
You can learn so many lessons from senior pets. I know I have. Pets live in the moment, they don’t stress about things that are going to happen, that might happen, or that happened two years ago. They focus on the present and the people around them. Adopting a senior pet has taught me to savor every moment and to not stress about the past and future. These adoptable senior pets have unique stories, some of them very sad. But once they get their second chance, that’s all they care about. They just want to make every day their best day.
Give a senior pet a chance. They will be so grateful. Forever grateful.
Adopt a senior pet today!