The eldest was my Barney, a beautiful cocker spaniel who had been used as a "stud dog" at a "commercial kennel" and when he got too old they had no more use for him. Fortunately he was rescued by a terrific woman who I've come to know in rescue and my mother saw him on the local "pet connection" segment of the news and called me because he looked so much like the beloved dog I grew up with.
He had a sad story, he was 10 or 11, had never lived with people and wasn't housebroken. I called before the segment was even over. And he turned out to be the most wonderful dog with the best temperament and because he learned fast, he was the best dog I ever had for not "going" in the house. I had him for another eight years and I still miss him.
His is a rather extreme story, but there are a lot of older dogs out there looking for homes and in my experience they make the best pets. 
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