Older dogs who are in shelters or rescues can make some of the very best pets. 

We all hope someone will be there for us when we get older. Someone who sees better than we do. Someone who can help us get around. Someone who has our best interests at heart. Sadly, for a vast number of senior dogs, this is not the case. Though they have often faithfully given the best years of their lives to the same owner, they may find themselves without a home as they reach their “golden years.”

Because of their age, older dogs are often overlooked by people looking to adopt, but the truth is that there are many reasons these seasoned animals can be a wonderful addition to any family.

Mylo was one such pup. For ten years of his life, he lived with the same family, but there came a day that they couldn’t keep him anymore. Fortunately for him, his owner surrendered him to Russell Rescue Inc. (RRI). Kathy Sube, the State Representative for the California branch of this organization, quickly arranged a foster home for him. The foster family welcomed the agreeable and well trained Mylo and he soon settled into life with them and their three other Jacks. Within a few weeks, Mylo was posted on the RRI adoption website, but it was three months before he finally found his “furever” home.

About that time, not far from Mylo’s foster home, another Jack Russell owner, Lorilynn, made the painful decision to euthanize her fifteen year old female who had been suffering with lymphoma. Having adopted from RRI before and been delighted with the dog she had found there, she turned to them again to look for a new companion for her remaining Jack, Doozer. She saw Mylo’s profile on the RRI website and, though she was a bit hesitant to adopt an older dog, the video that showed him frolicking with his foster brother and sisters convinced her that he was “young at heart.” She thought he might make a good playmate for her six year old Doozer. When she contacted Kathy about him, she was thrilled to learn that he was being fostered only a mile from her home. It sounded like Mylo could be the one!

A few days later, Doozer and Mylo met for a walk and then romped together in the yard. Though they were cautious with each other, they got along quite well and after another “play date” the following week, Lorilynn took Mylo home.

Like many senior dogs, Mylo was already perfectly housebroken and came with a voice that let people know when it was necessary to go outside. He knew his name and all the basic obedience commands, as well as a few tricks. His manners on the leash were impeccable, and by his example, he began to teach Doozer to be more calm and relaxed on the daily walks. Mylo adored chasing balls, and soon had Doozer racing after them as well, even though Doozer had never been interested in balls before. As is often true of older dogs, Mylo knew the ropes of living with folks; there was nothing new that he needed to be taught.

Senior dogs such as Mylo, who have had a secure and loving puppyhood are amazingly adaptable. They acclimate to different living situations easily and quickly learn new routines and schedules. They don’t seem to know that they have been transplanted and often fall into step with their adopted parents as if they had always belonged to them. This has certainly been true for Mylo, who has made himself right at home and become a cherished member of Lorilynn’s family. Though she was unsure about adopting an older dog at first, Lorilynn knows she made the right decision. These days, she couldn’t imagine life without Mylo, and neither could Doozer!