Several years ago I was looking for a small dog for my mother on the internet, and came across a site called Wee Gray Muzzles. This rescue group specializes in small, older dogs that have been abandoned. It seemed the perfect place to look! These older dogs have less of their life span ahead of them—just like older folks do, and face a lot of prejudice among potential adopters because of their age. They are mostly already house trained, quiet animals, as well. My mother was very interested and we book marked the site.
We always had dogs in our home when I was growing up. Our German Shepherd mix, Barney, saw all of us through the numerous near-calamities of our childhoods. During summers upstate she pulled us off country roads when cars approached; and in the long winters in the city, warded off the criminals of our then rough New York City neighborhood. Barney was lovingly trained by my father, who had trained dogs for the military before then. In all of his training I never saw him raise a hand or his voice—he felt that the fault was his if the dog didn’t understand, and he demonstrated the exercise again.
So much was the pity then, that in his later years, having moved into an otherwise very nice senior complex, he was unable to have even a small dog. For many of the other tenants, and to the relief of the management, pets were a potential annoyance. Perhaps they would bark or be heard sometimes. Perhaps they would have some sort of accident. Perhaps they would disturb the total peace that is what “senior complex” means to them.
For pet lovers, not being allowed pets is a senseless punishment. Even at later ages it is feasible to own a dog or cat (or some of the rarer pets-if you’re game). You need to have a back-up plan for their care in case you are unable to care for them (hospitalized or ill) or if you die before they do. In my mother’s case, we had promised to care for her dog if needed. You need to be able to walk them, and therefore a smaller dog is ideal if one is not that strong. A pet litter box might be useful inclement weather. Another option is having a nearby dog walker, who could walk them for a nominal sum. I did this as a kid throughout high school; loved doing it, and made a nice income at it. Cats are another option. Cats are intelligent, loving, and quite entertaining characters; and they don’t need walking either. Some rarer pets, like birds are very entertaining too, if you have some experience with their care.
I would advise considering carefully the restrictions of any place you may make your home. Even if you suspect this might be your last home-you should still go on with constructing and living a life you enjoy. If restrictions limit your ability to own pets, or do anything else you might like to do—such as that grandkids be allowed to stay for part of a summer for instance, or play the music you want, or smoke a cigar after dinner (yes, I know it’s bad, but lots of people still like to do it), it might not be the right place for you.
Consider:
Life, at any stage, gets no better than the ability to enjoy the things that give you pleasure. Insist on being able to do these things.
Pets are one of the most feasible ways to continue living with someone, if you like them.
Remember to make plans for your pet’s care if you are unable to care for them.
