This is the first in a series of posts we'll be doing highlighting the dogs whose images appear on PBRC's Visa Platinum Rewards cards. To apply for a card, visit this link. A percent of all your purchases will be donated back to PBRC!
Like a Boss!
By Ami Ciontos
So he wasn’t an old
dog when I adopted him in 2002, but my boy Boss has aged gracefully. I’ll admit
he was quite the handful in his younger days. He destroyed no less than seven
crates, a handful of rugs (while in his crate!), a few sets of drapes and the
occasional bed spread. Not to mention the times he thought he was being attacked
by the automatic sprinkler systems at some local businesses and had to defend
himself. Each time he managed to pull at least three to four feet of piping out
of the ground before I could stop him.
Due to his high
energy level, we had to find an energy outlet for Boss. We ultimately discovered his intense love
for bubbles, which he will jump for and chase. Boss also loves to play with
traffic cones. He bumps them, drags them around the yard and, at one time,
would even climb a tree to get to a traffic cone dangling from a branch by a
rope. Now that he’s in the winter of his years, he isn’t able to climb as well,
so my husband will hold him up so he can get to his cone. Once he’s up there he
will pull on it and tug until he is tired.
Though he’s 12
years old, my boy still has some spunk! He loves to go for walks and still
chases squirrels. Most of his days are spent lounging on his favorite bed in
the hallway. He is a gracious host and welcomes all of our visitors with a
friendly nudge to let them know they should pet him. He used to meet visitors
with a toy in his mouth ready to play, but now he’s content for a pat on the
head and a few belly rubs. Boss is a sweet, loving boy who has taught me so
much about pit bulls. Though he was not an easy dog in his younger years, I
would not have had it any other way. He is now a Senior Pitizen, and the older
he gets, the sweeter he gets. If I had known how sweet, appreciative and low
maintenance senior dogs can be, I might have adopted an older dog a long time
ago!
When it comes to
adopting a dog, many people automatically think of adopting a puppy. Though
puppies are cute and sweet and they get a lot of attention, they also require
patience and energy to help them become wonderful family members and
companions. The advantage of adopting an older dog is that they can be just as
cute and lovable as a puppy, and they already have their personality and
training. Most are already housebroken and have overcome the phase where chewing
on inappropriate objects is irresistible. There is no guessing what your dog
will become, as what you see is what you get when you adopt an older dog!
You may not want to
adopt a senior dog because you fear that your time with your new best friend
will be too short and too painful when the dog passes. However; the privilege
of bonding with and loving a senior dog makes every day special! The knowledge
that you have given an older dog a second chance at life will help create a
strong and deep bond, and the love that grows from this knowledge is stronger
than the pain of eventual separation.
Reasons to Adopt a
Senior Pitizen
- Senior pitizens are generally low maintenance. They love to sleep and cuddle the day away. They enjoy a brisk daily walk, but the best part of the day is their nap, and they love for you to join them at nap time!
Senior pitizens have already learned many of
life's lessons. They know, for example, that shoes are for walking and bones
are for chewing. They also know that outside is for doing business and indoors
is for relaxing! Your carpet will last longer with a senior pitizen compared
with a puppy!
- Senior pitizens can learn new tricks and be valuable family and community members. Because they have mellowed, they can focus on you and learn more quickly than a puppy.
- Senior pitizens leave you time for yourself because they don’t require the same kind of time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.
If you are looking into adopting a dog, consider a senior
pitizen! Not only will you be saving a dog, you will gain a dedicated companion!
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