Senior pets and people make superior companions

By Marty Metzger
North Forty News

One synonym for senior is superior. Seniors make superior pet owners and senior companion animals make superior pets. After all, lengthy life experience should bestow wisdom, patience and serenity.

Human seniors have much to offer pets. Full or partial retirement allows more moments to spend with an animal, thereby intensifying the bond and sense of well being.

Showing, hunting and pet therapy volunteering draw many seniors and their animals. Showing opportunities (dog or cat) range from a single, local exhibit (such as county fair) to a long circuit. Almost any of the above endeavors can create wonderful memories for a child joyfully sharing the experiences with grandpa or grandma.

Mutual activities such as showing can also birth camaraderie with fellow exhibitors or hunters at a time of life when established friendships are often disrupted by retirement relocations, disability or death. Common passion for a species, breed or avocation feeds new friendships, adding to already pleasurable leisure-time pursuits.

People with a lifetime of dog or cat experience might choose to begin or expand upon breeding their favorite strains. This is not to suggest irresponsible puppy-mill breeding, but some quality individual animals must be paired to keep breeds and types viable. Who better to keenly judge bloodlines, conformation and intelligence than a longtime proponent? All the better should the resulting magnificent litter be sold to loving qualified owners, thereby supplementing Social Security or pension income.

Travelling seniors need to consider several factors when sharing road trips with pets. Will the animal be physically safe and mentally sound if uprooted from its home sweet home? Will the mode of transportation (auto, motor home, plane, boat) be creature-friendly and tolerable? Like children, pets are resilient but not indestructible. Be sure vaccinations are current, identification properly attached, enclosures/crates secure, and good manners second nature. Check ahead to guarantee lodging choices accept animals. Don't forget the pet's dishes, toys, food, leashes, medications, grooming equipment and other sundries.

Many older adults downsize from houses to apartments, condos or retirement facilities. Check in advance to ascertain if the new arrangement can include an animal. If not, make humane, alternate plans if a pet must be forfeited. A relative, pet-loving friend or animal rescue group can be the best answer to an otherwise heartbreaking decision. Locally, many retirement communities do welcome pets. These include Parkwood Estates, Rigden Farm Senior Living and Columbine Health Systems' The Winslow and The Worthington.

Certainly seniors can benefit from adding a puppy to their lives. Yet they might consider teaching an old dog some new tricks instead, particularly since prospective owners usually choose the kitten or pup in the paper or shelter.

Contemplate older dogs' virtues: already house trained; probably fully vaccinated against or immune to puppy ailments; destructive chewing, digging, fence jumping outgrown; probably leads like a dream; well socialized; temperament established and known.

And old cats? Their needs are pretty simple: accessible window for bird watching, food, clean litter box, fresh water, welcoming lap and a few strategically located sunbeams.

Oh sure, aging joints could stiffen. Old minds can wander. Graying snouts might emit a wheeze now and then. But supplements can perk up most parts, and love sometimes works even better. Dogs can now actively live into their late teens, cats likewise or even into their 20s. Seniors can receive discounts from some veterinarians or low-cost care through Elder Pet Care (970-493-2657) in Fort Collins.

Some rescue groups and shelters offer discounts as well. For example, Fort Collins Cat Rescue (970-484-8516) charges adopters age 60 and older just $10 for senior cats (age 8 years and up). Animal House Rescue (970-224-3647) normally asks for a $225 adoption fee. But people 55 and older receive a $50 discount, as does anyone adopting a dog age 7 or more.

Denkai Animal Sanctuary (www.denkaisanctuary.org) currently has two mixed-breed female dogs ages 10 and 13. For horse lovers, the rescue has rideable horses and a mule, ages 30 and up. Plus, there's a 26-year-old Arabian mare that's friendly but hasn't been ridden in about five years. Price breaks are available to senior adopters.

Older dogs are generally great around visitors and grandkids, with undesirable behaviors such as jumping up on people far in the rearview mirror.

Ah yes, choice animals and owners, like fine wines, are well aged.