When a senior dog enters a shelter, their future is uncertain and sadly, while adorable puppies seem to have no problem finding new homes, it is a sad fact that senior pets are often the last to be adopted from shelters — and it is simply beyond heartbreaking.
Here at Paws Give Me Purpose, we have a soft spot for the underdog and firmly believe senior dogs deserve love and dignity in their final days, months, or years. One of the most important missions here at Paws Give Me Purpose, beyond caring for the animals that call our Sanctuary home, is educating the public. The ultimate goal is to change the way that humans think of, and treat, dogs with special needs – and it is our hope that we are making some progress and that more people will open their minds.
When people are asked why they don’t consider adopting a senior dog, the most common response is that an older dog won’t be in your life as long as a puppy would. While this could be true, their gratitude, love and loyalty is just as true. If anything, a senior dog will teach you to value every day you have the honor of spending with them that much more and they’ll thank you forever for seeing past their grey muzzle to the love they still have to give.
Meet Champion, he arrived at the Babylon Animal Shelter in April of 2021. Champ was in rough shape with lumps all over his body, including a very large tumor hanging off his abdomen. Thankfully, the shelter got him the immediate medical care he needed; sadly, the removed lump results came back as Mast Cell cancer.
Now this handsome 9 year young senior sits behind shelter walls wondering if anyone will ever even consider giving him a chance. A chance to be loved, to be happy, to have a home and family of his own for whatever amount of time he has left.
Champ is an old soul with a young mind. He is a very sweet and happy boy, who just wants a soft place to lay, a human to cuddle up with, enjoy belly rubs, and some grass to roll around in. He does take some time to warm up to new people, but once he knows you, he gets very excited to see you and spend time with you.
Champ would do best as the only pet, and a home with older children is recommended since he has never been around them. He loves his treats and will even “speak” when you ask him to! Most recently, Champ has exhibited some anxiety and is now trying to get out of his kennel.
Every dog deserves a loving family with whom to spend his/her life. Misconceptions often put older dogs like Champ at a disadvantage and they are passed over for their younger counterparts. People need to realize that a young dog does not guarantee that you will not lose that dog in a few years, any more than getting an older dog guarantees you that you will lose that dog in a few months to a year.
You may be reluctant to adopt a senior dog, especially one with health issues, because you fear that the time with your new best friend will be short, but know that the privilege of loving your senior dog makes every day more special! You and Champ will share companionship, friendship, and a special relationship that grows stronger because of the knowledge that you have given him that second chance at life. The love that grows with this knowledge is stronger than the actual pain of the eventual loss.
He might slobber a bit more, he may not be as swift anymore, but he offers an unconditional love that’s just about the most special thing you could ask for. You will receive a level of gratitude that’s unmatched and because he knows you rescued him, his loyalty will know no bounds.
Champ deserves a chance to live out his later years in a loving environment. The kind of companionship and care that best meets his needs can’t be found in a busy, noisy, stressful shelter. Yet it’s in these shelters that dogs like him too often spend weeks, months, or even the rest of their lives while they wait for a potential adopter. Let’s not allow this to happen! As an older black dog with health issues this poor Champ is not getting any adoption interest at all, and it’s time we changed that!
Life has no guarantees, so why not save a life, mend a heart and begin what might be one of the best relationships of your life? Adopt Champion– it might just be one of the most rewarding things you ever do.
Babylon Animal Shelter
80 New Highway
Amityville, New York
(631) 643-9270
Be sure to head over to Adoption Central right here on Paws Give Me Purpose, share Champion and all the other Featured Dog Friday pups still in search of their forever homes.