Pets For Seniors

Retirement Pets

In retirement pets for seniors add structure to the routine of your day, feeding, walking, and playing

Benefits of owning a dog in retirement

Taking a dog for a walk is excellent exercise, and a way to reduce stress.

You make more friends if you have a dog, and for single seniors, a dog makes a house seem less lonely. 

Having a dog has health benefits including lower blood pressure, better cholesterol, and less chance for obesity, since dogs require walking on a regular basis. 

Downsides of pets for seniors in retirement 

A pet comes with certain responsibilities, costs, and lifestyle changes that need to be considered.

The loss of a dog brings real grief and pain as outlined in the following story.

Pets for Seniors:  Trudy and Me

Trudy loved her trips to the Beauty Parlour. The groomer remarked on her weight loss, more noticeable now that her golden coat was shorter. I was less concerned, because the Vet had been telling me for some time that she was overweight.

Some weeks later Trudy suddenly stopped eating, and after a couple of days it was apparent that she was quite ill, so a visit to the vet was arranged. ‘She looks poorly’ he said ‘I’ll run some tests, come back in the afternoon’.

Perhaps it’s something she ate, I thought, he’ll prescribe some medicine and she’ll be fine in a couple of days.

Vet’s diagnosis

When I returned the vet looked somber. ‘I’ve got the test results, Trudy has kidney failure. She’s a brave dog; I’m surprised she’s still standing. The prognosis is not good. She will not be able to keep her food down; she will continue to lose weight...’

‘When should I consider ...’I couldn’t, and didn’t have to finish the question. ’Even now’, he replied gently.

I can’t do it, I thought, not now. Let me take her home for one more day and see what happens. Besides I must speak to my family.

Roller coaster of emotions

That night I sat with Trudy until about 2am, stroking her forehead, giving her sips of water, and whispering softly to her.

‘You were the best dog for me Trudy. Did I ever tell you that? Sure you were hard work for the first two years, but you were only a small girl then. Remember when you dismantled the sofa, and your first kennel? You chewed a leg off the desk in my study! You dug up some of Eileen’s favourite plants and pooed in the flower beds. She threatened to get rid of you, but you soon became best friends. And when I was trying to relax on the patio you loved to climb on me, nudging me for attention now and again, and pushing your smelly wet snout into my face! The drool on the leather seats of my new Alpha Romeo, the doggy smells. I’m sorry for the times I complained. None of that matters now. Yes Trudy you are a great dog, off to sleep.’

 And I hoped against hope she might be improved next day.

Letting go with gratitude

In fact her condition deteriorated significantly, as predicted. I phoned the vet. I could hardly speak. He knew what my decision was. ‘It’s quiet here now if you want to bring her in’ he said.

I carefully lifted Trudy and carried her to the car. She sighed as if embarrassed that she could not walk. She rested limply in my arms and flopped uncomfortably into her favourite seat.

She looked at me, as if pleading for help. Trust me I thought, you always have. I will take care of you.

The journey to the vet was just about ten minutes. I spoke to her all the way. And then a lovely thing happened. She roused herself turned towards me, and I just know what she wanted to say-don’t worry, it’s going to be OK, I do trust you.

I carried Trudy into the surgery. I laid her on the table, almost motionless now. The vet shaved her front paw to expose the skin for the lethal injection. She won’t feel any pain he assured me

Coping with loss

I was stroking her forehead and whispering words of comfort saying ‘off to sleep Trudy’, when the vet touched me and said quietly-‘It’s over, she’s gone. I’ll let you alone with her for a while.’

When he returned I said to him, ‘I had to do it, didn’t I? It was best for her, wasn’t it?’ ”

I left the surgery, phoned my wife and children and then made my way to a church to pray. I was crying for Trudy and for all of life’s partings and losses.

And I expressed gratitude for ten wonderful years of laughter, love and loyalty.

Thank you Trudy for touching the best parts of me, and thank you for trusting me in the end.

Pets for seniors

After Trudy’s death it would be some years before I was ready to enjoy again the benefits of pets for seniors.