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I've seen an eight-year-old mixed breed at a shelter. He is calm and loves people. But I worry about the cost of care and the heartbreak of a short time together. If you adopted an older dog, what was it like?
Yes, the time is shorter, but every year is very real. Many shelters here have a hard time placing seniors, so you save a life. Give him a comfy, soft bed, especially for older joints on hard condo floors, and keep the walks gentle and regular.
Ask the shelter for his medical history and a vet check before adopting. My senior dog had a heart murmur and manageable medication, cheap compared with the joy. Seniors often need dental care too, so ask the vet to check his teeth, and keep a sensible diet suited to his age and weight.
It was the best decision we made. He was already trained, calm, and grateful. Vet bills are higher, so we do check-ups twice a year and keep a small emergency fund. Many older shelter dogs also come already sterilised and vaccinated, so the starting costs are lower than for a puppy, which surprised us.