News

By David Dickson

At the impressive age of 18, Nandy the dog held a rather impressive title for a short time — that of oldest dog at the Sanctuary. It didn't take long, however, for somebody to snatch up this incredible girl and take her home. Before Nandy could decide on a favorite napping spot at Best Friends, she was whisked away to her own fairy tale ending. And in November, too! With November being Adopt-a-Senior-Pet month, Nandy's good fortune couldn't have been more appropriate.

Making a good impression

Nandy came to the Sanctuary when her person moved into a retirement home and couldn't bring her along. From the beginning, Nandy impressed everybody she met. “She was just a big sweetheart,” explains caregiver Haylee Heisel. “She'd jump around and dance a lot. She was really silly, quite the goofball.”

For those who have never had a senior pet in their life before, sometimes it's easy to imagine them wanting nothing more than a good soak in the sunlight from dawn til dusk. While it's true that older pets have clearly learned the value of an afternoon nap, they still have every bit as much personality and love to give as they did when they were younger. Maybe even more.

Those amazing senior pets

There are many great reasons to consider adopting older pets. “Seniors are just awesome,” Haylee says. “They really appreciate the creature comforts.” Have a cozy couch to share? Adopt a senior pet and he or she will love you forever! Most senior pets will happily watch reruns of your favorite TV show with you as long as you'd like. And yet many of them — Nandy included — still enjoy physical activity. Nandy loves her daily walks. You don't have to go on a 10-mile run to enjoy getting outside.

Another way senior pets tend to be misunderstood is in matters of health. True, some of them have special needs that require love and additional medical care. Yet just as many require little or no extra care. “Many of our seniors aren't on any meds,” Haylee points out. “They're really healthy.”

And then, of course, there's the fact that a senior pet is always so grateful to find a home. Lucky for Nandy, her new family certainly knows all about the virtues of older pets. “I think they're great,” says Carola Farthing of Hurricane, Utah. “When you adopt a senior pet, you know what you're going to get.”

Nandy's big day

When Carola and her husband, Paul, met Nandy, they knew right away she was the dog they were looking for. They'd come to the Sanctuary hoping to find a friend for eight-year-old Murphy, another senior dog they'd adopted previously from Best Friends. Nandy, who gets along with everybody, hit it off with Murphy right away. Paul and Carola decided to adopt.

Back home, Nandy has settled in like a charm. “She's figured out treats very quickly,” Carola says. Of course, goodies aren't the only thing that Nandy gets excited over. Whenever it's time to go for a walk, she's so happy she does this little dance on her front paws. She also explores every bit of the home both day and night and loves being petted at any opportunity. No doubt about it, Nandy still has a lot of love to give, and she was lucky enough to meet a family who recognized that.

“We feel very fortunate that we have her,” Carola says.

Ready to find your own amazing senior pet? Consider adopting one today.

Photos by Molly Wald