If I was older, I would still adopt. It'd be an older animal. They need homes too. I tend to rescue older animals anyhow to leave the younger ones who have a better chance the option of getting adopted. But, really, there is plenty of time to give a pet a home at the age of 90. None of us is promised tomorrow, so I can't think of letting them stay in foster over such a small worry! Like you, others would want to adopt the pet who ended up homeless should it not work out.

wow..if you can't walk or properly clean the yard with a dog i'd think 2x...but some dogs do very well with elders including responding to health changes...a small dog can be under foot, so special care should be taken...and yet the joy of having a dog (I was a cat person) can be very healthful...it can get a person into a steady routine, and a reason to get dressed and out...be sure to consider the budget for food, vet care, and tags....and other care if you travel, or visit...there are times when dd comes to visit, the she and sil and kids will spend the night with her brother and we're stuck walking them...since we have an unfenced yard, they're leashed and I sit on the steps since I can't walk well...

What does "Why didn't they take the dog?" mean? The rescue refused it? There's a 90-year-old who refused it?

I'm nowhere near that old, but I'd think it depended on the 90 year old. I know some that age who are able in general, but carrying food and cleaning up would be a burden, let alone training a dog. A tiny 8 year old with good manners, however, a pet door, and a service or gardener to tidy up after it, and help with the groceries, and it seems like an ideal pairing. Small dogs live longer, so perhaps the little guy has more like eight than four years left, but I agree with Rob: "None of us is promised tomorrow," the dog is used to the elderly, and could improve the health and well being of the new person, while being given a nice home and a lot of attention. But that's if the home really is nice. Clean, well aired, etc.

One of the shelters in Houston has a great program, seniors for seniors, where older dogs are adopted out to seniors with shots and spay and there is no cost to adopt.

Many seniors are perfect owners for the older dog, both may not romp as much as they used to, but enjoy company. The older dog may think it is heaven to have an owner with the time to spoil it properly :)

Ah yes, know your limits :) Well said Sue.

What does "Why didn't they take the dog?" mean? The rescue refused it? There's a 90-year-old who refused it? I meant if there was someone else taking care of the dog for the woman, feeding it, taking it for walks, outside to go pee and poo, why didn't they take the dog since the dog already knew them.

The dog I have now is a 14 year old Dachshund with lots of health problems, so don't know how much longer we will have her. She has been the best dog ever and don't know if I will adopt again after she is gone. She would be a tough act to follow and has been my Soul Mutt. We got her from a rescue group 13 years ago and if I was to get another one it would be from a rescue group or SPCA and it would be an older dog.

"Soul Mutt"

I LOVE that!

A former neighbor and his wife had had a succession of Airedales. His wife had a long illness, and he cared for her until she died. When he reached eighty, he questioned whether or not to get another dog. We all encouraged him to do so. He was still active and able to walk the dog a couple times a day. By the time that dog died, our neighbor needed some home care himself. Again he debated about getting another Airdale. Again we encouraged him, as there was a large back yard for the dog to exercise. The dog was a boon companion for another ten years, after which our neighbor finally decided not to try again. I doubt he would have lived to 101 *at home* had he not had these companions -- and a wonderful home health team.

I think if there is someone to care, walk, pay for all its needs then a senior having a senior dog is excellent as they are dumped otherwise so many of them.

And why didn't someone take the dog, do you mean rescue, or family? Family won't take as they are busy lives and they might have their own pets or plain don't want an older pet that costs them and so off it goes.

I used to bump into some that were walking dogs that would have loved a dog themselves of owning and losing but the cost is no longer able and so they walk their elderly neighbour's dog and one him and the dog adored each other and sounded like the neigbhour was going downwards and what would happen, if someone could have paid for its needs, that fellow and dog who adored each other could have stayed together, there is a terrible need on both side.

Its very expensive to feed good healthy foods, take the pet in for check ups and whatever comes along and emergencies, surgeries, medications, tests, dental care, that all cost huge.

I heard what my dad paid out and it was more then I could ever afford, you have to have constant good income or pensions into household to pay for it all.

There will be a dog in our home as long as we're physically able to care for one. But I personally wouldn't adopt a geriatric case. I'll care for any human or animal family member when ill or infirm but that's a tough place to start. Especially for an oldster.

Any senior with dogs or cats needs to be sure they have suitable and firm arrangements for them in the event of their needing a new permanent home on short notice.

Oh! Why didn't the help (i.e., people helping the 101 year old) take the dog. I get it. :) There are all kinds of reasons, including that the helpers already had as many pets allowed by law or landlord or even that they didn't even like the dog. Just because he looks adorable doesn't mean he is. I had a housemate who had a couple of well behaved, nice big dogs. She took on a tiny terror left with her by the neighbors when they moved. That little dog was half devil and taught his bad ways to the good dogs. Some people can't afford to feed and care for even a little dog. And if the helpers are never home, and can't take the little dog to work, then it's not fair to the dog if there aren't another other animals at home for company.

My first thought was a resounding "YES"! That little Maltipoo would be a well loved family member. My GF plays tug of war with her 3 dogs, but they mostly play with each other. What a great life when we include furbabies!

"That little dog was half devil." I have a ten year-old 7-pound Morkie (yorkie/maltese mix) who fits that description to a T. He is, however, the love of my life. Good thing for him because I can't imagine anyone else ever putting up with him and I tell him that on a regular basis.

We were dogless for the first time in 40 years for 8 months since losing our last one. Recently got a puppy. I will be 65 in a few months. We have always had multiple dogs. I told DH this will be our last set of puppies. It's like raising a baby and I am in good health. Just don't have the stamina I once did. But it's a Rottie and they require a certain style of early upbringing that can sap the energy of a 20 year old. LOL

However I can't imagine not having a dog. I think the big mistake people make is thinking the elderly need small dogs. Small dogs are high energy, an elder could trip over them and many demand constant attention. They also live longer lives than larger breeds. Some up to 20 years.

There are several large breeds that are low energy/low maintenance. Big "lazy" LOL dogs with shorter lifespans. Mastiffs come to mind. Some Labs are sporting dogs by nature and others are content to lay at your feet.

So yes I would get a dog if I was able to care for it's basic needs when I age. I would most likely not get a puppy but a dog that was perhaps a year or two old. Senior dogs come with too many health issues and expenses. I am not a fan of people re-homing senior dogs anyway. I don't support the notion that no kill is always the best choice. However I hold those that are willing to take them, in and care for them during their final years in high regard. I know someone who takes in elderly pit bulls. However she is still middle aged, single and has the time and money to care for them.

We plan to age in place if possible. I will always want a "protection" dog living with me. If I become disabled in some way where having a dog would help I would seek out a service dog that could be my partner. Note I said service dog. Don't get me started on the emotional therapy pet nonsense.

I was 72 when we got Georgy as a puppy. If all goes well, I will be 85 0r 86 when she goes over that bridge. I cannot imagine being without a dog so if I'm healthy enough, I will adopt a senior after she's gone.

I don't have a problem with a senior having a pet if that person is able to care for or has support system in place to properly care for a dog or cat. Pets provide a lot of emotional support and companionship. I'm younger, but I know my dog gets me out of the house on a regular basis to go out and get a walk whether I want to do it or not. He's a big motivator. I can't tell you how many people I have met and gotten to know just because I ran into them while I was out walking.

Our shelter has a deal where a person 70 or older can adopt a dog age 7 or older for only $7. I can't tell you how many times I've thought about this. For over 40 years we had multiple dogs, and it's hard being without one. I'm often aware of how much I miss having a dog.

But the reason I don't is that I had several falls on our icy dirt road while walking the last of the dogs. Even a gentle stroll was dangerous in the winter. It reached the point where I would let her out on a 30' lead tied to the back door. Angel was a large dog but elderly, and didn't need a lot of exercise, but I can't see doing that to another dog.

My five cats (three in, two out) breathe a sigh of relief when they hear me say that.

I saw this on FB today, and it pretty well sums it up for me....so yeah, I expect to have a dog when I am 90.

no I wouldn't get a dog in my 90s because there is a good chance they would end up homeless if I died. My relatives are not particularly good pet owners and I would hate for a dog of mine to end up in their care (I could tell you some stories but I won't, they are just incredibly irresponsible), or in a pound or something. I have friends who have always had multiple dogs (around 4-6) who decided in their 60s, no new dogs. they are approaching their 70s now and all but one dog has gone to doggy heaven. The husband has health issues and the wife is his carer so it's much easier for her to manage now with only one dog but I think they just didn't want to leave a bunch of dogs behind with no one to take them and I understand that. I had a hemorrhagic stroke at the age of 44 which could easily have killed me, so I think about the what ifs a lot, so I've decided after my two current dogs are gone (hopefully not for many years), that will likely be it for me. I just can't bear the thought of leaving them behind to some unknown future and even if you make arrangements for them, you can't know your wishes will be adhered to once you're gone.

My grandmother is in her nineties and has a dog (small special needs shih-tzu). We help her with things like yard clean up (and there are local teenagers who do this for a bit of pocket money as well). The dog does enjoy small walks, but is happy enough to toddle around the yard on a tether as well. The agreement was that one of us would take her if my grandmother could no longer care for her. And when she travels, one of us takes her then as well. My parents book her vet and grooming appointments at the same time as for their dogs and take all three. My grandmother will always have a dog, but she has a big and willing support system in place.

I wish my mother would get a dog, she's an active 83 year old who still lives in the house we were raised in. She adores the dogs my sisters and I have, has plenty of space, including a yard and promises from family to help with it's care. She says she doesn't have time but we can see she's starting to slow down a bit and is home alone more now. I hope one day she will change her mind. In addition to the love and companionship, protection even if it's just a bark at the door is always a plus too.

The (should be) easy answer is to make sure that the animal will have a home if you are no longer able to care for it (through death, illness, etc.). Make that arrangement with family or friends BEFORE adopting. So many precious animals are in shelters because advance thought wasn't given as to who would take it in in such circumstances.

How unfair for the dog/cat/other to lose its caregiver and then be in a shelter. I don't see this question as to whether I could care for it if I'm in my 90s (or 80s or 70s or whatever), but whether I'd adopt as long as I could guarantee that it'd be cared for later.

When my Dad wanted to adopt a kitten (in his 80s) he said he would only do so if I would agree to keep it if something happened to him. Of course I agreed, and yes, he did pass away. That "kitten" (now 14 year old cat) lives with me and is loved. My dad had a wonderful time with her while he was able to and now the cat still has a happy, safe life.

My pets are covered in my will by my designating who will have responsibility for them upon my inability to care for them (whatever animals I have at that time). The agreement has been made with a good friend and she knows my thoughts and desires. They will be in good hands with her and hers will be in good hands with me.

In my opinion, if a person can't assure a home for the animal until the end of its life, that animal doesn't belong with them.