To me, there is no greater joy than giving an old dog a home. It’s unthinkable some old dogs spend their last weeks, months even years on a cold shelter floor, unless they’re killed first. Harsh, but true. Rescuing an old dog brings joy to my soul, and I hope more and more people see how much purpose and meaning they can bring to their lives.
From doing your best and giving them undivided attention, to regular vet visits and a high quality diet, these are some of the things you can promise to do for your old dog.
Here’s how to make sure every dog you share your heart and home with is happy, healthy and well cared for.
I Promise to…
♦ Do my best every day, to make up for all the suffering you endured at the hands of another
♦ Pay attention to what you’re trying to tell me, and when you seem uncomfortable, to remove you from that situation as quickly as possible
♦ Always do my best to keep you safe from anything that may harm you
♦ Give you my undivided attention
♦ Have my lap available anytime you want it
♦ Have realistic expectations of the role you will play in my life
♦ Always share my life with with you, and if the unthinkable happens and I can’t, to find you the best home possible
♦ Keep the contact information on your collar and microchip updated, so if we ever get separated you can always find your way home
♦ Feed you the best quality and most appropriate food
♦ Always comfort you when you’re scared
♦ Follow a routine to help you feel secure
♦ Keep you as calm as possible when you’re feeling anxious (if your dog is anxious, this article has some great tips! “22 Natural Ways to Calm Your Anxious Dog”)
♦ Always make sure you have the best veterinary care
♦ Provide the appropriate level of physical exercise and mental stimulation
♦ Have comfortable beds around the house so you won’t have far to walk
♦ Make room for you in my bed no matter who else is there, and suggest they sleep elsewhere if there’s not enough space!
♦ See you as an important part of my family, maybe even THE most important!
♦ Do my best to limit the number of bad days you have
♦ Take you with me on outings and trips as much as possible
♦ Always look around and behind me before I walk. It wasn’t my fault last time!
♦ Buy you a stroller or wagon when you can no longer walk as far, or as well as you used to. I want you to still enjoy walks, even if it’s a ride!
♦ Hand feed you when you no longer remember how to eat on your own
♦ Buy as many different types of foods I can think of when you’re being stubborn, and refusing to take your pills
♦ Schedule time every day to spend just with you
♦ Take care of myself so I can take better care of you
♦ Always show you how much I love you
♦ Do my best not to get frustrated with you, I know it’s not your fault
♦ Always keep you warm in winter, and cool in summer
♦ Never dress you up like a doll. Okay maybe just for Halloween!
♦ Never stop advocating for senior dog rescue
♦ Give what’s left of my heart to another old dog after you’re gone
♦ Never let you suffer just because I can’t imagine life without you. I will give you your wings when it’s time
♦ I promise I will never forget you and you will live in my heart forever
What Promises Do You Make Your Senior Dog?
I’d love to hear what promises you make your dog. Sharing helps others, so please drop them in the comments below.
If you’re looking for a community of senior dog parents, a place where you can find helpful tips, support and people who “get it” please join my FB group Senior Dog Care Club
I’ve been rescuing and caring for senior dogs since 2009. From vision and hearing loss to obesity, dementia, kidney disease, liver issues, cardiac problems, Cushing’s, mobility challenges and more, you could say I’ve dealt with and learned a lot! In addition to my hands on experience, I’ve taken many courses to keep learning how to help my old dogs and they include: senior dog enrichment, diploma in understanding canine anxiety, certificate in care of the senior pet and I’m a Certified Pet Loss Grief Support Coach.
Some of these would make wonderful plaques for senior dog lovers to hang on their walls (or stickers). It takes my breath away that people dump dogs and cats at the shelter ‘because they don’t play anymore…’ WTF is this with people??
You don’t put an old person down, or a disabled person, OR A SENIOR DOG because they are not young and perfect.
I love the plaque idea!! It’s shocking how many people casually walk into a shelter with an older dog and dump them. Do they have no soul!!
Excellent info, Hindy. I so agree with Marjorie, these would make wonderful decorative proclamations! I always promised my FiveSibes from puppies to passing that I’d always love them and be there for them and take care of them, no matter what. While I succeeded in that, it is bittersweet as they all have now journeyed to the Rainbow Bridge, and each wrapped in my love. So your last one – is mine now forever – I will never forget them and they do always live in my heart.
I know it’s tough to imagine your dogs are no longer with you physically, the love you showered them with and the care you provided them with means they’ll be with you always. They were so lucky to have you, I wish every dog could be so fortunate to know that kind of love and security.
OMG!!!! YES!!!! Hindy, I absolutely LOVE this list of promises. You NEED to put this in a printable and sell it! So, spot on and lovely. How lucky your pups are to have you. I admire your advocacy for senior dogs. They are so overlooked. I hope in the next year or so to adopt another dog for Henry. A senior dog would be a great addition to our little family. Thank you so much for this post! I’m sharing it with all my dog parents!
I love love love this list of promises and I try daily with Layla to stick to them even when I have had no sleep, Living with a senior is challenging but worth every moment. Chag Sameach with a woof from Layla
The same is true for cats. My 18 year old is the love of my life, and even with the addition of a pedigreed kitten, it’s still Treeno that my life revolves around. I didn’t adopt him as a senior, he was 3, but we’ve lived a lot of life together.
Absolutely. I shared my life with cats long before I had dogs and I felt the same way about them.