Opening Your Heart and Home to a Senior Dog
Opening your heart and home to a senior dog takes care and planning, just like adopting a pup of any age!! Carolina Boxer Rescue is committed to saving the nubs, no matter a dog’s age. There are many reasons adopting a senior dog can be a great experience. In terms of a boxer, they’re ever-playful so even a senior guy or gal will likely still be an exuberant wigglebutt.
Some of the most obvious benefits of homing a senior dog? Most likely a senior dog is done growing – no need to worry about buying new collars or sizing out of toys or dog beds, or needing different sized crates. Boxers have such deep chests it can be a challenge to find a good harness while they’re growing! Some senior dogs are in need of a home due to an owner becoming incapacitated or passing away; they might very well be extremely well-behaved and acclimated to walking on the leash, staying in a crate or interacting with other dogs. If you love boxers but aren’t the most energetic or active person, an older senior’s energy level might be a great match. Depending on the dog’s experience, senior dogs are often already housebroken. As they’re not getting new teeth, it’s less likely they’ll chew your favorite shoes during a gnawing rampage.
Taking in a senior dog is a great way to provide a loving home and ensure a pup’s golden years really are golden.
Considerations
Just as humans experience the effects of aging, aging dogs may also develop medical conditions that can become cost-prohibitive for some owners. It’s helpful to be aware of potential diagnosis or conditions a dog may have, and be realistic about your financial ability to care for a dog. Some older dogs may require medications, or special food due to aging.
It’s also important to consider how prepared you and your family are to say goodbye to a senior dog – one of the hardest things about having a dog is saying goodbye. While it is definitely not a reason to forgo homing a senior dog, being aware at the outset can help you prepare.
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