You see them leading and exercising their seniors on a leash all over town and in the parks. They make sure the old person walks fast and the path ahead of them is safe. They sniff every tree to make sure it isn’t going to fall on them, or isn’t emitting poisonous vapors that will cause dizziness, or worse, total awareness. They check the grass along the sidewalk for enemy creatures such as cockroaches, icky worms, or the worst — any wild pet cat that will steal food, or maybe a quick pet, and run home. Many dogs have been known to lift a leg and wet a fire hydrant to dampen any potential fire that may spring from it, or even a tree to make sure it’s getting enough hydration. “I looked up my family tree and found three dogs using it,’ said Rodney Dangerfield.
And by chance if another senior on a leash happens to be coming from the opposite direction along the sidewalk or path, the dog will growl and make sure that other team alters its path and walks an encircling path around them, even into the street.
What is really exciting to watch is a dog at an off-leash park. The dog turns the senior loose to sit on a bench and runs around in the grass like a World Cup soccer player looking for other players and an invisible ball that is always there to be nosed or tapped with a paw. Other dogs are there and they play the game like it has been totally organized. All the seniors ring the park sitting on benches, cheering and grunting, and waiting for their dog to return and take them home.
Home is where the scene changes. The senior takes charge and dictates where the dog will sit or lie, or not; what and when he will eat; and when he is allowed outside to lead the way for the senior. It is well known from many interactions with dogs that they are loved dearly by most seniors. They often tell of a beloved pooch from years gone by with a funny story.
Dogs can help with the loneliness of a spouse that is gone for the remaining partner. They give a reason to get up in the morning and wonderfully provide someone to chat with throughout the day. The added perks are some exercise and reduced blood pressure, as well. “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself,” Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw), a 19th century Mark Twain-type humorist. Definitely more truth than humor.
Now how does a dog choose a senior? It depends on the lifestyle it is looking for. But many times, at first, the role is reversed for a time and the senior does the choosing. After all, it’s adding a new being into their lifestyle. Depending on the age of a dog, their needs are similar to that of a new baby, a spouse or an elderly person. A dog needs food, shelter, exercise, grooming, health care and companionship. Some dogs need less, some dogs need more, but each and every dog requires at least these things from the new partner for this partnership commitment in time and money. A new dog must remember this: a new senior is a long-term permanent choice for the dog.
Dogs find that seniors come in all sorts of ages, personalities, habits, quirks, and health idiosyncrasies that come in all shades of the monochrome x-ray. Of course, dogs also come in all sizes, hair colors and lengths, energy tempos, appetites, enthusiasms and whims of euphoria. Getting a friendly match is just a dice throw of luck – no bones about it.
Patrick M. Kennedy does full-service editing and writing and has published several books. http://www.abetterword.com/ and http://www.funwithretirement.com/