Older pets need your love too...

Prowler: An amazing 7 1/2 year old greyhound

Hemingway: A distinguished gentleman with a heart of gold

I have a major soft spot for senior pets. These animals are often overlooked due to their age, but why?

Often, people are concerned about the expense of caring for an older pet. Or, they are distressed at the inevitable heartache of losing an older pet.

Okay. But consider this, from someone who knows what they're talking about... There are people who will adopt a puppy over a senior dog--but the expense of feeding, training, and vetting a new puppy is IMMENSE. And don't forget the stuff you'll have to buy to replace all the stuff your new puppy chews to shreds. As for the many, many years you and your new puppy have ahead of you? Kinda daunting, now that you see just how much work has to go into keeping that ball of energy in line.

Now consider "Prowler." He's just barely a senior, but one nonetheless. He came into my home and immediately settled on my couch, head in my lap, eyes full of love and appreciation, and melted my heart. He was NOT expensive to care for, he did NOT destroy my things, he did NOT exhaust me physically and emotionally. He's an angel... and I just can't figure out why anybody WOULDN'T want to adopt him!

Or take "Hemingway" here... What a charming cat! His age is unknown, since he came from a shelter, but we know he's in the senior category. He has a crinkled ear, no teeth, and a tongue that sticks out all the time. He's got more charm and personality than some people I know! He is well-behaved, won't claw your stuff, and is perfectly content to be in your lap, or in the path of the nearest sunbeam. He'll find any old reason to purr, and will look freaking adorable while he does, with his tongue sticking out at you like that. On a bad day, just looking at him gives me a reason to smile. Routine blood work shows that Hemingway has no major underlying diseases--he just needs a loving home in which to live out his days. Is that such a tall order?

So, not EVERYONE has to think the same way as I do, but let me just say that I find senior animals MUCH more desirable than their younger counterparts. If a senior pet isn't for you, no sweat! There are millions of younger, equally deserving animals who need homes! But please don't overlook seniors just because of their age. They have SO much love to give, and much more life to live!

Has a senior animal touched your life? Feel free to share your stories!