Adopt-a-(senior)-pet

We know, we know: puppies are adorable.  Of course, they're also likely to soil your carpet, chew a hole in your favorite sweater, and wake you up at 4 in the morning, crying to be taken for a walk. If you're like us, you see some advantages to adopting an older dog.

We got the scoop on two great senior dogs in the West L.A. shelter from shelter volunteer Mirja Bishop. We'll let Mirja take it from here:

Holly, ID# A0940982, has been at the West L.A. shelter since May. She's already spayed and is listed as a German Shepherd mix.

Holly is 11 years old; Jessica is listed as 10, but she behaves like a much younger dog. They're reportedly mother and daughter -- you have to look closely to tell one from the other, but Holly does have a few gray hairs on her muzzle and she's a little slower and more deliberate than Jessica. They have always been housed together and they are deeply devoted to one another.

Recently another volunteer and I bathed the girls in preparation for a mobile dog adoption event (lifting them into the wash basin was quite a challenge). Both were apprehensive, but their sweet dispositions (and a few treats) allowed the baths to go off without a hitch! When bathtime was over, we took Holly and Jessica to a play area so they could romp and chase each other around on the grass. (Holly still acts like a mom and tried to groom her daughter, despite the look of protest on Jessica's face. The look clearly said, "Mom, don't embarrass me!") They played with such wild abandon that all I could do was smile and shout, 'Go, girls, go!'  What a joy it was to see them running freely, two beautiful dogs enjoying some well-deserved playtime.

Jessica, ID# A0941207, has been at the West L.A. shelter since May. She's already spayed and is listed as a German Shepherd mix.

It's hard to understand why they have not been adopted to date; it probably points out a sad reality, that people do not want older dogs. How sad, because these dogs have so much love and loyalty to give to some lucky person! We hope that someone out there will fall in love with the two of them -- they have spent their lives together and to separate them now would be truly sad.

Holly and Jessica are just a few of the many older dogs that are housed in our local shelters. Senior pets have so much love and loyalty to offer and ask for nothing more than a forever home where they can curl up and feel safe and loved again.

This mother-daughter team is available now at the West L.A. shelter, located at 11361 West Pico Blvd. (near the intersection of Pico and Sawtelle). You can inquire further about them (or any of the other dogs in the shelter) by calling 888-4LAPET1 with the ID numbers listed here. 

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photos: Los Angeles Department of Animal Services

Comments

[Puppy In Training]

I've been raising puppies for Guide Dogs of America over the past couple years and I always say that everyone around me enjoys the puppy, but I have to deal with the whining, barking, and howling during crate training, accidents on the carpet, chewed up shoes, cell phones, furniture, and constant supervision.

Puppies are adorable though and i feel like I establish a close bond with all my puppies by going through the rough times during their adolescent stages.

That being said if I wasn't raising guide dogs where I have the unique opportunity to take my dogs to work, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. then I'd adopt an adult or senior dog rather than a puppy.