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| Farmer Mike and Sabbia |
Meet Our Senior Furry Farmhands!
In the several years that Mike and I have been together, there have been several senior rescue dogs, aka Our Farmhands, that have passed through our doors, into our hearts and then left us in tears as they crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.
Click on their name to find out about them.
Rudy
Toby
Rudy
Toby
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Chica Lou |
An Uphill Battle
Senior dogs have an uphill battle finding a forever home at their late stage in life. But they are just looking for the same things we all are looking for; to be loved, to be protected and to be cared for in comfort as we age.
We never know the whole history of their lives before they come to us, but we know, because they're seniors, that they've had plenty of experiences, good and bad. We also know that they've recently faced the trauma of being in limbo waiting for a forever home, not knowing if they will ever find it.
Limited Time is Precious Time
When you rescue a senior dog, you know going in that your time with them will be limited, especially with seniors over ten. We have had to say goodbye sooner than we'd like to, but that is the price we pay for our choice in rescuing and adopting the seniors.
I read an article in Psychology Today that indicated that dogs are stuck in an eternal present. They can easily forget their past. I've seen this over and over with dogs who, after a period of adjustment and once they realize they're really home,the light in their eyes comes back and the spring in their step returns. It's a wonderful thing to be part of that.
Love and Loyalty
In addition to the love and loyalty you get from senior dogs every day of their lives, there are many other benefits to rescuing the older dogs.
Here are just a few:
- They don't need strenuous exercise. Short walks and daily fresh outdoor air is usually enough to keep them happy and healthy.
- They usually don't need house training.
- When we sleep, they sleep. In fact, they sleep a lot!
- They can be the most grateful pets you'll ever own. They've been in less-than-perfect circumstances waiting for someone to love them, and once they get it, they reward you with a loyalty you can only find in dogs.
- Their advanced age makes them calm around children.
And one of my personal favorite reasons:
- They aren't fast enough to actually catch any critters in the back yard!
The Best Reason to Adopt a Senior Dog
There is great satisfaction in knowing that whatever they've gone through, we've done something to help them finish their life on top, in an environment that is loving, caring, protective and treats them as the loyal gems they are.
But no matter how grateful they are that their lives have improved with their new home and new brother and sister dogs, the pleasure is really ours. They make us feel like heroes when they look up at us with those grateful, loving eyes and beautiful white haired faces!
And after all, how often can you really be a hero in this world?
I LOVE that y’all rescue senior ‘puppies’! There’s a special reward in heaven for that. I have two rescue dogs right now (best ‘breed’ EVER!),. My last two dogs were rescues as well (well, let’s say one was a ‘hard rescue and the other a ‘soft rescue), who lived well into their teens. Though it’s been a couple of years, I still miss their white-haired smiles. Best wishes to you all and kudos for what you do! Oh, and thank you for the hosta info!
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