Pets, Like Wine, Often Age Well But Have Issues

[question everything]

The Wall Street Journal

Pets, Like Wine, Often Age Well But Have Issues
Red Collar Group Finds Homes for Old Animals; Bongo, Past His Prime
By CLARE ANSBERRY
April 17, 2008; Page A1

PITTSBURGH -- Bongo the rabbit had issues. He was old, aloof and tough. During a brawl with another rabbit, Bongo lost a dime-size piece of his ear. His first home is unknown. His second was an animal shelter in rural Pennsylvania that reached rabbit overload and transferred him to another shelter here called Animal Friends. Animal Friends takes abused, neglected and unwanted animals and tries to find them families. That can be challenging. Who wants a banged-up old rabbit? Or elderly cats and dogs that have thinning fur, missing teeth, cataracts and arthritic hips?

"A lot of folks aren't willing to adopt an older animal," says Ann Cadman, health and wellness coordinator at the shelter. "I had one woman say, 'Why would I want a used animal?' " Ms. Cadman, who has adopted several elderly dogs, says they are affectionate and attentive. But she needed a way to persuade other people to adopt old animals, of which there are many at the shelter. Some have been left by people who move, want a younger pet, or are overwhelmed by age-related maladies. A good number of the older rabbits were bought as Easter bunnies for small children. Months pass. The novelty wears off, and the cuddly little critters turn into rabbits, weighing up to 25 pounds if they are Flemish, that can bite if they don't want to be held. Animal Friends is a no-kill shelter, so once an animal arrives, it stays there or in foster care until it is adopted.

Ms. Cadman had an idea: Form an exclusive society for people who adopt older pets, by which she means dogs more than five years old and cats over six. Rabbits are considered old at three. Members would get discounts on pet jewelry and apparel at the shelter boutique. They would be honored with a proclamation suitable for framing, and they are invited to coffee klatches. Ms. Cadman decided to call the group the Red Collar Society, after the well-known Red Hat Society, in which women over 50 glory in being middle-aged. Ms. Cadman's Red Collar Society appears to be effective. Since it was formed last April, more than 300 older cats, dogs and rabbits have been adopted from the shelter. Members say older pets have distinct advantages. They are loving, calm, don't nip or insist on playing fetch. They don't gnaw as much on furniture and are good at visiting hospitals, nursing homes and elementary schools. Children with reading problems, for instance, will read aloud to Jazz, a seven-year-old black poodle, because he listens quietly and uncritically.

(snip)

Wayne Croushore saw a picture of Bongo the rabbit and thought he might be good company for his other rabbit, Perkins, Perky for short. Mr. Croushore, 77 years old, adopted Bongo last year and became a Red Collar Society member. The retired insurance consultant has had pets all his life, including beagle puppies, which are cute but need housebreaking and obedience school. A few years ago, Mr. Croushore discovered rabbits and liked them as pets. "They're kind of like scotch, an acquired taste," he says. Far more interesting than he imagined, they growl when they are unhappy. Some cry and grind their teeth. Their personalities vary. Perky is just that. Bongo is rakish -- tough, aggressive and independent, like a one-legged pirate, Mr. Croushore says. Buddy, his first rabbit, who has since died, came up the steps at 11 every night to have his ears scratched. Buddy's ashes are in a white ceramic dish on a shelf in Mr. Croushore's basement.

(snip)

Old pets can learn new tricks, some society members say. Katie Tontala points to her 11-year-old cat, Karma, whom she adopted last year. Karma is deaf and thus can't hear a can being opened; most cats know that the sound means dinner is served. Ms. Tontala taught Karma sign language. She puts her fingers to her mouth and taps her lips. Karma comes.


URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120839843386821735.html (subscription)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. That's a cool article!

Thanks for the link! :hi:

[China_cat]

2. When you're getting old yourself

you don't necessarily want the 15-20 year committment that a puppy or kitten might bring. The thought of being unable to care for them at some point or dying and leaving them with no home at all makes a lot of people give up on having pets after a certain age.

Adopting the older ones just makes more sense when you don't have the stamina for puppy hell or kitten mania. We adopted Jake and Elwood at 8 years old. They'll be 10 this fall. Odile is 4 and that's the lowest edge of what we will consider.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. I take the older ones, as well, feel as if they're the ones who need me.

I adopted my beloved cocker, Barney, at age 10 or 11 and I had him for eight wonderful years. Unfortunately, that also means that you lose them all too soon. ;(

And I agree with you. My responsible friends in rescue won't place a kitten or puppy with an older person for the obvious reasons. Two of my pups, Meneken, a Brussels Griffon who I adopted at age nine, and Sheena, another cocker who I adopted at eight, both became homeless when their doting owners died. Very sad, but they did find me. :-)

Last year my mother and brother adopted a puppy. I'd heard some negative things about that particular shelter, which were confirmed when they placed a puppy with my 80-year-old mother and my control freak brother. *sigh*

At the retirement community where my grandmother lived, they have a very good policy. People who move there are allowed to bring their pets, but when they lose them, they can't get another one. In the nursing home part of the place, they have both cats and dogs, in different sections. When my grandmother was there, there were two dogs, very sweet, from rescue, and they always knew where to find them, in my grandmother's room, when I was there, because I brought biscuits. :D

A year and a half ago, I adopted a five-month-old puppy from rescue. A vet tech who used to work for my vet was fostering him and she knew Meneken, so contacted me, since he's also a Brussels Griffon. Now I know why I took the older ones, LOL. He is very cute, but sure is a handful...:eyes:

My little Jack:loveya:

[Bravo Zulu]

4. Dog Rescued After Apparent Run-In With Porcupine

Dog Rescued After Apparent Run-In With Porcupine
(KDKA) A local animal hospital is helping nurse an injured dog back to health after it had an unfortunate run-in with a porcupine.

The Allegheny County Dog Warden said he got a call earlier this week concerning the dog, who is named Blossom.

Officials say Blossom had been spotted lying in a ditch looking frail and malnourished.

Authorities say when they were able to track down the dog, she had porcupine quills covering her face and right shoulder, which forced her to walk only on three legs.

Blossom is now getting treatment and is being cared for by the West Deer Dog Shelter.

http://kdka.com/pets/Blossom.rescue.porcupine.2.703098.html

[undeterred]

5. Very cool

Except for the expense, I think its a real advantage.