Kizzie was our first “older” dog, and will serve as a typical example of an older rescue animal. A plain black labrador cross, Kizzie had been taken by her owner to the shelter where my daughter volunteered. Her owner had formed a relationship with a woman who did not like dogs. Ardour won out over responsibility. Kizzie was duly brought to the animal sanctuary and responsibility abdicated. She was so desperate to escape back to her owner that the shelter manager asked if it would be possible for us to foster her for a few days to allow her to settle down. Perhaps the manager knew us too well, or maybe she really just intended Kizzie’s stay with us to be a few days, but, needless to say, Kizzie never returned to life in the dogs' home. There are lots of older dogs in animal centers with just these types of tale to tell, but, unless you ask about them, you will never know.
Health Requirements of the Young Dog versus the Older Dog
One of the main reasons people cite for not taking on responsibility of an older dog is that veterinary costs will be high. You could be unlucky, and find out this statement holds true. But, today, whether through bad nutrition, interbreeding or other reasons, many younger dogs also find themselves at the veterinarian for illnesses and conditions as varied as diabetes, epilepsy, allergic reactions, and sometimes even cancer and heart problems, diseases usually associated with old dogs. The exuberance of youth also often brings with it wounds sustained through fighting, running into fences, and the odd sprain or dislocation. Your older companion will have left impulsiveness behind it, and be liable to avoid such scrapes. Just like older humans, getting up in the mornings might be more difficult, and there may be a few more aches and pains. Dental care might be needed if the teeth aren’t so good. Hearing and eyesight may weaken as the years progress, but these disabilities won't necessarily hinder your pet’s enjoyment of life. The regular vaccination program may need to be reconsidered, if your dog's immune system becomes compromised. This is a subject that you should talk over with your veterinarian.