Special Note About Senior Goldens -
Those Age Eight and Older

If you are looking for a quiet and easy going companion dog who does not require intense, hard exercise daily, a senior Golden may be the best choice for you. Because they can be adequately exercised on a leash, appropriate senior Goldens may be placed into a home that does not have a fenced area or yard. Seniors fit into busy lifestyles because they are less demanding. Most senior Goldens are adaptable and will settle into your home with less training and supervision. There's nothing like the gentle wag of a senior Golden's tail to welcome you home!

Ten Reasons to Adopt a Senior Golden
(From GRREAT News, Falls Church, VA)

Adulthood. In most cases senior Goldens are well past the chewing and digging stages. They cause less destruction than puppies or younger dogs. They also have a longer attention span, making them easier to train.

Peace of mind. Over 90% of older dogs are housebroken.

Experience. Most senior Goldens have been socialized with other animals. They can provide an example, a calming influence for younger dogs.

Tolerance. Older Goldens are good first dogs for children because they are patient with tail-tugging and rough petting. They'll walk away from a playing child rather than hurt him.

Companionship. Senior dogs don't demand constant watchfulness and attention. They're content just to be in the same room while family members are working or relaxing. A Golden oldie will be just as happy with a sedate walk as with intense exercise.

Dignity. Senior Goldens are generally calmer than young dogs; they won't scare small children or the elderly by jumping up to greet them.

Adaptability. An adult dog will adapt more easily to changes in your household, such as a new baby, relatives or guests visiting, or being left alone for long periods of time when there is a sudden burst of overtime at work.

WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get). A senior dog is fully grown, and most of its health history is already known (such as hereditary disease, arthritis, and hip dysplasia). There are no guesses about how big it will get, whether it will bark a lot, or what its energy level will be like.

Personality. A senior dog arrives with its own set of likes (soft places to sleep, belly rubs, tennis balls) and dislikes (cauliflower, squirrels, vacuum cleaners) and each one is different. Discovering all the facets of a senior's personality makes life with them truly enjoyable.

Memories. Even if you have a senior Golden as part of your life for only a few years, or less, the days and the adventures you share are precious. The love and joy you receive every day from a senior will more than compensate for the sadness of eventually losing such a wonderful companion.



Return to Adopt A Golden Main Page




Content on this page has been reprinted with the permission of Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue.

 

Dallas Fort Worth Metro Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc.
is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 1986.
Info@RescueGoldens.org

Rescue and Adoption services for Golden Retrievers for the North Texas region.
PO Box 794374, Dallas, TX 75379
Hotline: 972-608-4488

Copyright © 1996 - 2002 Dallas Fort Worth Metro Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc.