TESTIMONIALS
One thing I say about older dogs is that they may be (not guaranteed, of course) well-trained and socialized …It takes a lot of heart (and resources) to adopt … a truly old dog with health care issues (whether current or soon-to-be anticipated).”
-- Kathleen C. Boone
“The older dogs are really lower maintenance; they’re just happy for a warm blanket to sleep on, and a nice walk around the block just about does them in. They sleep while we work and are happy when we sit on the floor with them in the evening and rub their ears for about two hours!
… they just want a quiet place to live out their lives, they are quieter in temperament and don’t require a lot of training or activity … this appeals to both the dual working household or the older household where the kids have left for college and the parents are in need of a little company.”
– Don and Ruth Keipper, Marilla, Erie County
“The older dogs (appeal) for a more ‘pure’ altruism on the part of prospective owners … The ideal home, is one that really wants to rescue a dog no matter how old it is, what sex it is, or what it will need to learn. Those homes are few and far between.”
– Teri Vigars, Jordan, Onondaga County
“We adopted an 8-year-old golden/lab mix … and she is amazing! Definitely thinks she is a puppy, but can also be content to hang out and be a blob with us when we relax … getting a trained dog is also a huge plus.”
-- Heidi Leonard, New York City
“I suddenly came upon a golden that was just perfect for me. There wasn’t a picture, but a short paragraph describing 10-year-old Nicky who had arthritis and had trouble going up the stairs and needed someone home all the time. He was old. So what? … This dog had touched my heart so deeply … I only had Nicky for 10 months, but they were wonderful months for both Nicky and me. Would I do it again? In a heart beat! He brought joy to my life because of how I ‘found’ him.”
-- Carol Nichy, Cheektowaga, Erie County
“Honeybear is a wonderful 11-year-old. She is a delight. Very calm, but still playful and funny. She enjoys running and swimming and long walks and, of course, lots of cuddling.”
-- Renee R., Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County
The golden oldies are truly the most incredible loves and so very rewarding. If you are looking for meaning and gratification, too, they are amazing for the delivery of warm fuzzies. Blondie had been neglected for almost 10 years, … but with care, became beautiful. He lived here for 1.5 years and was such a happy guy; beautiful and devoted. Goldie is 14 years old and did have … some health issues, but is a fluffy, goofy and happy girl now. She is a daily part of my routine and travels around the barns doing chores with me and the rest of the gang! … She has just recently gotten almost totally deaf and we are getting her attention by waving our arms and (using) hand signals. I don’t know how long she will be with us, but it won’t be long enough. Most of the older dogs really require little care other than shelter and love. Not all have tough health issues.”
-- Linda Bills, Mohawk, Herkimer County
“Ten-year-old Max acts and looks like a 1 year old.”
-- Bibi Edwards, Pittsford, Monroe County
“London turned 2. He was what many people were looking for – YOUNG and housetrained. He was also undersocialized, being a stray for quite some time and was (is) as clumsy as they come – no water dish or knick knack is safe around the boy, and London always leaves a trail of his beautiful fur behind on everything. Many people thought that the calmness of a 7 year old may not be so bad …”
-- Dona Possenti, Lockport, Niagara County
Noble … is 10 ½ years old. His muzzle is gray and he has kind of a lopsided face from maybe Belle’s Palsy. Playing in the snow, you (can’t) tell which ones (are) the younger dogs. The three of them race and roll and flip each other over in the snow. Noble is really a special boy. He looks up at me with such love in his old eyes. He races around in the snow and plays with the other dogs, then comes running back to me for a pat on the head and then off he goes again. He really has so much to give. I can relax with him because he is all trained. It’s kind of like giving birth to a 20-year-old. All the hard work is over with.
-- Elaine Decker, Whitney Point, Broome County
We fostered Max him in October and in January decided to adopt him. He's 10 but acts like a young yahoo, without all the puppy angst! We love him! He has the sweetest "I need some lovin" look (as can be seen in the picture) and he'll even grunt for attention. I've never met a golden that loves to be hugged so much. If I could have named him, it would have been Bear since he's like a big teddy bear! Thanks
-- Christine Klahn