If you’ve had the privilege of caring for aging companion animals, you know that warm feeling of looking into your friends’ eyes and seeing the puppy or kitten that still lives in their hearts, and you know those bonds are strengthened by history when you share life with a companion animal.  Experience caring for a senior dog reminds us that love grows in dog years: however long your friend may live in years, multiply love by seven.

Love grows in dog years

For indoor cats, lifestyle changes may impact play time; for dogs, the routine daily walks may shorten.  As you and your companion animals age together, think back to younger days.  Remember when your dog set a fast pace, strutting at the end of a lead during a long hike?  The memory of a younger pup or kitten may be a little poignant, but it’s also a good reminder to stay aware of potentially changing needs, so pay close attention.  Subtle changes in diet, appetite, mobility, or other behavior cues may indicate an emerging health problem.  For dogs, when heading out for a hike, be aware that your canine friend may need

• shorter walks
• access to fresh water
• rest stops (take advantage of the moment and get a picture!)

Support Your Companion Animals

Create a Bucket List: Give a special day for the healthy senior companion animals in your life and plan a special day full of his or her favorite things.  For the active senior dog, maybe it involves a romp through the leaves, some quiet time in the yard, a slow-paced “zig zag walk” (stopping when they want to sniff), or a ride in the car.   A senior cat may enjoy a new interactive toy or cozy hiding spot.  You know your friend best, so sit down and imagine his or her best day ever, then make it happen.

Find Support: As with ongoing companion animal care, regular check ups  and visits to the veterinarian are essential as companion animals age.  Visit the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) for medical guidance on proactive senior animal care.  At end of life stages when a companion animal needs critical care, explore the resources at IAAHPC (International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care), which include a directory of global professional practices specializing in comfort care and animal hospice. 

Support Senior Companion Animals

Consider adopting a senior animal at your local rescue organization.  Older dogs make great family additions – often already trained and mellow, these dogs need someone who is able to give them the forever home they deserve in their old age.  Sometimes older dogs end up in shelters due to illness or death in the family, so through no fault of their own, they can find themselves homeless when they should be taking it easy.  If you can’t adopt right now, consider donating to support the care of a senior animal at a shelter.  You can also learn, share, and promote some of the work being done for senior animals at places like these:

• Check out the award winning senior dog rescue organization Muttville in San Francisco CA.  Founded in 2007, Muttville which works to change the world for senior dogs, changing the way people think of them and how they are treated.  Through rescue, foster, adoption, and hospice, and extensive resources, Muttville’s efforts are inspiring as they are impressive!
• Explore the stories, tributes, and resources at the Senior Dog Project, founded in 1997 and dedicated to promoting older dog adoptions.  Whether looking to adopt a senior dog or seeking information about caring for senior canines, you’ll find both heartwarming and helpful support.
• There are numerous regional organizations dedicated to promoting senior animal adoptions like Young at Heart in Illinois, founded in 2005.  In addition to rescue, rehoming, fostering, Young at Heart provides diverse community outreach and education projects and other work, including inter-organizational collaborations to reduce euthanasia of senior animals.  Young at Heart is currently embarked on a capital campaign to build a one of a kind safe haven with  a no-kill “home-like” shelter for senior animals.
• There is also a growing number of projects connecting senior humans with senior animals, from PAWS, Seniors for Seniors program, working in Washington State and throughout the Northwest to ARF in Northeast Ohio.  PAWS offers adoption and post-adoption support in addition to a number of other advocacy and education programs for wildlife and domestic animals.  ARF is a grassroots shelter with no time limits that focuses on foster, adoption, advocacy, and awareness raising.  

There are so many people and organizations dedicated to promoting senior animal care, making it easy to get involved.  Find one that resonates with you and make a difference for the companion animals in your life and your community.