I love autumn's crisp air and falling leaves, but there's something heartwarming about November that extends beyond pumpkins and apple picking. It's National Adopt a Senior Dog Month, a time dedicated to our four-legged friends who have aged gracefully, yet often find themselves in need of a loving forever home.
Last January, I adopted a senior dog named Maxwell. Maxwell was abandoned at a vet’s office and was transferred to a local shelter. He was shuffled to a few foster homes and back to the shelter in hopes of being adopted. This fragile guy was very scared and was just surviving. I knew he needed a home, a place to belong for his golden years so I brought him home. He became very sick the first week and was given only a few weeks to live. My family prepared to give him a safe, loving place to spend his final days but he gave us so much more.
Senior dogs have a unique charm and wisdom that can enrich our lives in countless ways. Adopting a senior dog can be a remarkably rewarding experience not to mention The American Heart Association has linked the ownership of pets, especially dogs, with a reduced risk for heart disease and greater longevity. There is considerable evidence to support the idea that having a pet is good for your physical and mental health.
People with dogs have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets. One study even found that when people with borderline hypertension adopted dogs from a shelter, their blood pressure declined significantly within five months.
Senior dogs bring a lifetime of experience. They are often trained, have a gentle demeanor and are extremely adaptable. Senior dogs are calm, loving, and eager to be your loyal companion. Their personalities are fully developed, making it easier to find a perfect match.
When you open your heart to a senior dog, you're rewarded with unwavering loyalty and gratitude. It's as if they know you've given them a second chance, and they repay you with love beyond measure. Adopting a senior dog can be a lifesaving act. Many older dogs end up in shelters through no fault of their own, and by adopting one, you're giving them a chance at a happy, comfortable retirement.
National Adopt a Senior Dog Month is an opportunity to honor these wise and wonderful animals, and by opening your heart and home to one, you'll discover the true meaning of unconditional love. You will be happy to know that Maxwell seems to be getting younger by the day, provides many laughs with his silly antics and loves an afternoon stroll.
Check out your local shelter and tell them Maxwell sent you!
