82: National Puppy Day - Don't Forget They Don't Stay Puppies For Long

On National Puppy Day, I know you'll be seeing lots of adorable puppies - swoon. I'm all about those cuties, but I thought I would focus on something people forget about when they want that sweet little yapper: aging dogs. Sorrowfully, many people choose to give up animals for myriad reasons, but senior dogs have it extra bad at times. Here is a a dog who has loved and been loyal to a family for it's life, and now that it is old and needs more care, the family doesn't want to be bothered. It happens too often. Enter the Sanctuary for Senior Dogs.

      At The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs, our mission is

• To rescue senior dogs abandoned in shelters
• To provide lifelong quality care for rescued senior dogs
• To adopt appropriate dogs into loving, permanent homes
• To develop programs that match senior dogs and senior people to their mutual benefit
• To foster an awareness of our lifelong responsibility to our companion animals
• To strengthen the bonds between humans and animals by teaching respect and compassion for all living things (http://www.sanctuaryforseniordogs.org/id2.htm)

The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs offers some creative events and programs to hep with the care of these dogs as well as adoption and fostering. For people who cannot foster or adopt or for dogs who cannot be adopted, donations cover care. "Sometimes dogs come to us so ill or so emotionally damaged that rehoming them is not in the dog's best interests. In our Forever Fosters program, our hospice foster homes provide Sanctuary-sponsored care and lots of love for these dogs for the rest of their lives. You can be a part of this exciting program by sponsoring one of our wonderful senior dogs like Tidbit or Theo. Read their stories and the stories of our other permanent dogs on the  Forever Fosters: Sponsor a Senior Dog page." (http://www.sanctuaryforseniordogs.org)

I know the difficulty in keeping an aging animal. The two oldest animals in my house are about to be 16 and 17. Not only do they need more attention and care, but it is sad and difficult to determine what they need at times. What I really appreciate on the Sanctuary for Senior Dogs website is this page, http://www.wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp/index.html,  "Often people feel they must give up their pets for various reasons. On these pages, you'll hopefully find some alternatives and be able to keep your animal.  There is also lots of info here for those who would never dream of giving up their pet, but  just need some advice on basic pet problems .  They are often the very same problems for both groups of people.First and foremost, pets are living creatures, capable of fear, love, pain, loneliness, and joy. They should never be considered disposable property, for they should be considered members of the family.There are many reasons people feel they must give up their animals. If you can find a solution to the problems, and help make your pet a member of the family in good standing, that's one less animal that needs rescuing, and both the animal and humans will be happier. If the problems cannot be resolved, there is information to help you find a good home for your pet. But, please try to resolve the problems first, it might cost your pet his or her life otherwise. " (http://www.wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp/index.html)

At any rate, happy National Puppy Day, and enjoy all of the great puppy things you see. Here's a Nessie video to celebrate my favorite puppy turning senior dog.

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