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SENIORS
Most people who come to rescue believe they
have to have a young dog, but often a senior dog would be much more appropriate.
Common Concerns about Seniors
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They won't live as long and I don't want to go through the
emotional turmoil so soon.
There is no guarantee that your young
dog will be with you for years either. Many of us have lost young
dogs to illness or accident. None of us know if we will be given more time
than this very day.
Providing a wonderful home for a dog that would not otherwise have one
may start out as an act of kindness, but if you are anything like our other
adopters of senior Airedales, you will soon be telling us that the rewards
you receive in love and joy have more than repaid you.
-
They won't bond with the family.
That is not true. They do bond with the family, equally as strongly
as a younger dog. In fact, most senior dogs seem to realize what
a gift they've been given and are truly grateful for it. Senior dogs
reward your care with an unwavering devotion.
Nothing matches the love of a senior dog for his rescuer.
-
They may have age related health issues.
True, but many
don't, and these are issues that you will have to face at some
point in time with any dog. Many of the treatments for the health
related issues are not expensive and can maintain a good quality
of life for a very long time. Depending on the availability of funds,
the National Airedale Rescue Senior Airedales Fund may be able to assist with any
extraordinary medical care required for an Airedale adopted at age ten or older.
Benefits
- You are not committing to 12-14 years. This can be appealing
to the older adopter who
is thinking about retirement and traveling. Some want a dog but
are afraid that the dog will outlive them and worry
about what would happen to the dog. The senior dog can
be the perfect answer.
- They are calmer than their younger counterparts.
Seniors enjoy a daily walk, but the best part of the day is the nap.
If you want to join them, that's even better!
- If you are a first time Airedale owner this can be a great way
of getting to know the breed without being overwhelmed by the training and
exercise requirements of a young dog.
- They are great companions for single seniors and couples who don't
live near their family. Senior dogs and senior people need someone to
care about and care for. It can be a great match.
- They are already housebroken. They won't chew your furniture.
- If your current dog is missing a deceased companion, but you aren't quite ready to take on
another youngster, a senior can provide companionship for the in-between years.
- Giving a home to an Airedale who would otherwise have to share the
attention of his foster family with many other Airedales will give you a glow.
There is nothing like the feeling that you were able to make the last few years
of a dog's life the very best he ever had.
When is an Airedale considered a senior?
Airedales are a Medium to Large dog, generally from about 55 lbs. to 80 lbs., although some can top 100 lbs.
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DOG SIZE
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DOG WEIGHT
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AGE CONSIDERED
SENIOR (years)
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lbs
|
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Small dogs
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up to 22
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10
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Medium dogs
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|
9
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Large dogs
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57 - 88
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8
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Giant dogs
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over 88
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7
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To put this into perspective, how old are you? Find your age in the table below for medium or large dogs and see what age that equals in a dog.
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Dog's size
in lbs
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51-85
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>85
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Dogs age
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Human equivalent age
|
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15
|
93
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115
|
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14
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88
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108
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13
|
82
|
101
|
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12
|
77
|
93
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11
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72
|
86
|
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10
|
66
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78
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9
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61
|
71
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8
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55
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64
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7
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50
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56
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6
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45
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49
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5
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40
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42
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Please be sure to let your Rescue Coordinator know if you are interested in giving a senior Airedale a home. We almost always
have one or more in foster care.
If you would like to donate to the National Airedale Rescue Senior Airedales Fund, you may
donate by check
with a note that it is for the Senior Airedales Fund, or Donate through PayPal.
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