Love, love me too! You know I love you!

It's been a while since my last blog, but as I always like to tell my clients (for people not in the veterinary profession, that means owners of pets - because dogs and cats always forget their wallet when they go the vet's office!) - no news is good news!

Sweetie was officially introduced to society yesterday at Mingle with the Mutts (debutant ball of the doggy world).  Sweetie, along with another dog from Central Ohio Dog Rescue League - Spice - was  wonderful.   While other dogs were barking, jumping and chewing on things, Sweetie and Spice sat quietly and patiently while they waited for attention.  Of course Sweetie didn't get as much attention as the other dogs and even a family that came looking for an "older dog" inevitably gravitated towards the puppies.  This isn't my first rodeo, and I know that it takes longer to rehome a senior dog (and Sweetie can sleep in my bed for as many nights as she needs!).   At the end of the two hour event, Sweetie and I did some shopping in the shelter store (see picture) as I didn't want Sweetie to feel unloved (because she is perfect!).  I felt so happy that Sweetie was coming to my house to spend the rest of the afternoon sleeping on the couch, rather than the cold floor of a shelter.

In general, I try not to anthropomorphize things.  While I don't doubt that dogs and cats experience pain and have feelings, I don't think they stress about their winter weight or worry for hours after they took a big dump on the new white carpet.  However, I see the picture below and wonder what senior dogs think as an endless train of people pass their run at the shelter. Perhaps they used to sleep on someone's couch and were left behind when their family moved away.  Perhaps they enjoyed long walks before they got "too old."  In such situations, I cannot help but think about all the years these sad eyes have seen.

So, now I will break my rule about anthropomorphizing and tell you reason #6 why senior dogs rock:
Older dogs still have so much love to give.

One of my vet school fosters, Sylvia, landed in the shelter after her owner died. She quickly came to our house still confused about the sudden loss of her life-time companion.  Her eyes said it all - she was scared, panicked, confused and spent most of the day staring out front door, which we suspected was owner seeking behavior.  However, in the days and weeks that followed, the look in Sylvia's eyes changed from fear to trust and eventually, to love.  Did Sylvia forget about her previous owner?  I think I've seen enough youtube videos showing dogs reuniting with their owners (particularly war veterans) to know that's not very likely.  She simply had more love to give to me and my roommates. And when she found her furrever home, she had even more love to give to her new two legged companions.

Senior dogs are good at many things including sleeping, letting you sleep, cuddling, enjoying sunsets, leisurely walks.  But above all, they're best at giving love. <3