By Lani Scheman

One of the most disappointing things to hear in rescue work is, "I want a puppy." Many healthy, handsome dogs are currently available to be placed. Good dogs can languish in pounds or foster care and many are eventually euthanized, even with appropriate applications on file, just because they are five or six years old. Many people are still grieving for a pet. They can't face the prospect of losing another one in a few years. However, all of us should look at our values a bit deeper. Some things, such as wine, cheese and dogs, get better as they age. Before passing by that muzzle with a few gray hairs, consider several things:

Puppies are a lot of work. They are small and cuddly only for a short time. There is housebreaking, obedience training, chewing, digging and all of that energy! Do you really have the time? Today's hectic schedules often demand long work days and long commutes. Older dogs are much better able to handle time that they must spend alone. If you work TOO many hours, maybe you should rescue a cat! Older dogs are seldom destructive. Sometimes people find that they just didn't have the time and energy that a puppy requires. Fido ends up at the humane society when adolescence becomes just too much. An older dog might have been an appropriate choice.

Young children and young dogs are not always a good combination. Because of all of the work puppies require, they may not be good matches for families with children under five. Babies are a lot of work, too! It can be exhausting to handle both at the same time. Sometimes, parents have hopes of teaching their children responsibility through the care of a pet. However, children under the age of ten are not terribly reliable in that regard. An older dog can be an excellent and tolerant companion for young children without all of the work and supervision a puppy requires. That puppy can be purchased when the children are old enough to appreciate it and to participate in its care. Think of the changes in your own life. If the last time you had a puppy was fifteen years ago, you are also fifteen years older yourself! You might not be as willing to go through the frustrating times with a puppy.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, in particular, have a long adolescence, are very active throughout their adulthood, and usually don't start acting geriatic until they are eleven or twelve--sometimes later. Even older Chessies are loving, alert companions who still want to participate in the usual activities. The average lifespan of a Chesapeake is twelve or thriteen but, with good nutrition, exercise and veterinary care, many live to be fifteen. A person adopting a rescue Chessie of five may have up to ten wonderful years with the dog. Contrary to popular belief, old dogs CAN learn new tricks. There may be a few quirks to undo but with consistent obedience, most habits are undoable and don't compare at all with the amount of training that a fresh young pup will require. Some rescue Chessies have gone on to earn obedience titles with distinction. Even the ones picked up as strays usually have the basics. They are housebroken, leash broken and have basic obedience such as sit and stay. What a bargain!

Before you pass by an older dog who is healthy, fit, trained and at risk of being euthanized, ask yourself if an older dog might work to your advantage. If you adopt one, there's every chance that you won't regret it and you may find the best friend you could ever want.

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