Heartwarming News & Entertainment
Dog Rescuer’s Viral Plea for Adopting “Senior Dogs” Is Spot On
Adopting a dog of any age is a journey full of ups and downs. Still, many dog rescue advocates, including Rocky Kanaka, are passionate about finding forever homes for adult and senior dogs. Puppies have little trouble catching the eyes of potential adopters, but as a dog’s age goes up, their likelihood of adoption goes down.
On May 12, one rescue dog owner who goes by @thebestcostumefortoday posted the sweetest TikTok video singing the praise of her new rescue dog, Agnes Nutter. Even better, she and her husband shared their experience in hopes of encouraging others to adopt “grown ass dogs” just like their pup. And when you hear all of their reasons for preferring older dogs, it’s hard to disagree!
Aww! This little family looks as happy as can be while cuddled together in bed. It’s every rescue dog’s dream! While it’s a breath of fresh air to see this former shelter dog sleeping soundly in her new home, it’s also hard to believe that it’s only been two months since she first arrived home. Clearly, she found somewhere she feels safe and loved.
Adopting Adult Dogs Like Agnes Nutter
At five years old, Agnes Nutter is a calm and loving companion for this selfless couple. She loves a good cuddle–clearly–and she hasn’t gotten into any trouble since coming home. If she were five months old instead, this would be an entirely different story! As this new dog mom mentioned, Agnes doesn’t chew shoes or have accidents in the house, which has made her adjustment period so much easier on everyone.
Still, it’s important to remember that not all adult rescue dogs will have the same skills and manners. Some rescues and shelters have resources to practice training with their resident dogs, while others do not. Additionally, a dog who may have been a stray before rescue simply won’t have experience with housetraining or obedience commands. However, most adult dogs are quick learners once you find their motivation (dog treats, praise, etc.), so you can establish good habits in a matter of weeks.
Additionally, adult dogs are just as loving, silly, and interactive as puppies. Anything you can do with a puppy, you can do with an older dog, too! Trust us–when you find the dog that’s right for you, you truly aren’t missing out on anything.
The Perks of Adopting a Senior Dog
A dog can be considered an ‘adult’ at as young as 12 months old, but they graduate to “senior” around the age of 7 (give or take, depending on your dog’s size). As dog rescue advocate Rocky Kanaka has witnessed firsthand, these dogs in their golden years have an even harder time finding the right adopters. When he met new shelter resident Harisson, who had become a rescue dog after 14 years as someone’s pet, he knew that the dog’s rescue likely wasn’t an accident.
“I don’t know if people just get annoyed with their old dog or think maybe he’s old and if he comes here they’ll take care of him,” he said. “I feel like it’s usually that they think he’s a nuisance.” No pet should be treated like a nuisance! These older dogs need love and comfort more than ever, and the reward for giving them a comfortable life is the purest form of unconditional love.
Odds are, there are plenty of animal shelters and dog rescues near you that are full of adult and senior dogs, but if you need some guidance on where to start looking, check out Rocky Kanaka’s list of 100 rescues and sanctuaries that specialize in seniors. Who knows? You might just meet your next BFF!
