Since most of the “lookers” were busy sticking their fingers into the cages full of kittens, it seemed an unlikely query. Thinking I wanted a young cat, the volunteer said “seven” although the label attached to the cage she indicated clearly said “eleven.”  Well, the words sound alike.

Anyway, 11 sounded just fine to me.

I’ve recently lost the second of my two 20-year old cats and have been musing on the appropriateness of taking on a new pet at my age (considerably more than 20). Usually my pet cats have lived at least 18 years and adding that number to my current age gave me, as Shakespeare might say, pause. (No pun intended.)

Then I saw a segment on the WMHT-TV program “It’s an Age Thing” about the Peppertree Rescue organization, which encourages older people to adopt older dogs. My curiosity was aroused. Before long I’d found Web sites and articles all praising the benefits to both owner and pet of matching up the elderly with the elderly. At many shelters pets over five years of age are the hardest to place and often face euthanasia. Yet they are also the most home friendly, because they have house manners and appreciate love and attention. Older dogs usually have some training and have learned what “no” means and how to leave chewables alone, unlike that darling new kitten my friend’s hundred-year-old father just adopted. Most older pets don’t leave home because of problem behavior, but because of the death of their guardians, changes in work schedules or transfers, owner allergies, or a move to a place where pets are not allowed.

Elder/elder pet adoption has benefits for both owner and pet. We already know that having a pet can positively affect blood pressure and mood. Often we see residence pets or visiting pet programs in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. A recent AARP Bulletin article talks about a service in San Diego and Los Angeles doing business as a rent-a-pooch company. Forty percent of their clients are empty nesters. The company is considering opening a division catering to retirement communities. I’ve even heard of an inn that supplies a cat for the night if a guest requests it.

A number of rescue groups focus on matching same-age pet and owner. At Peppertree Rescue (which focuses on “golden retriever” temperaments) they try to ensure that the senior and his or her family have provisions in place in case the senior can no longer keep the dog, with Peppertree serving as a permanent backup. Volunteer Karen Harmon says, “…We at Peppertree know that a senior dog is more settled than a younger dog and has so much life left to live and unconditional love to give back.” 

The benefit for the older pet, besides finding a caring home, is often just to take a leisurely walk or to sit calmly beside you, or on your lap, sharing mutual companionship and comfort. As one owner put it, “…dogs are good for old people; they get us walking every day.” So if you are an “old dog” yourself you might consider opening your heart and your home to another old dog, or cat.

I love one quote I ran across at The Senior Dogs Project Web site – “…she doesn’t mind how old I am, so I don’t mind how old she is….”