Older Dogs Return Love When Care is Tossed Their Way

Even at age 91, Dee Dee, a Bayside, Wisc., resident, refuses to retire. She visits nursing homes and hospitals, comforting patients there.

She gives educational demonstrations at schools.

Dee Dee is a part-time therapist and full-time Brittany spaniel. She's 13 years old -- nine decades-plus in human years -- but she's ready to share play dates and companionship any time.

Her owner, Connie Peterson, says that Dee Dee is living proof that older dogs (age about 7 and up) can not only learn new tricks but also, with some extra care, take pride of pack in any home.

Senior dogs won the spotlight last month when Stump, a 10-year- old, fetched the best in show cup at the Westminster Kennel Club Show. The Sussex spaniel was the oldest dog ever to take the top title at Westminster, and he showed the pups how it's done by performing a perfect sit-up for the international cameras after his win.

Another elder dog was in the news just last week. Chanel, a 20- year-old dachshund in Port Jefferson Station, N.Y., was certified as the world's oldest living dog by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Chanel and Stump are the most famous senior dogs right now, but most others are heart-winners, too.

"Older dogs give back all the love you give them," Peterson says. "As a therapy dog, Dee Dee does bedside visits to hospice patients and oncology patients, and you can visibly see people relax when she curls up next to them. Also, older dogs move at a slower pace than young dogs, and a good walk is enough to satisfy them."

In fact, senior dogs have lots of great traits.

"They know the ropes," says Angela Speed, spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Humane Society. "They're patient and wise, making it easier to assimilate them into a new home. Their personalities are already developed, and their behavior is more predictable than a puppy."

Senior dogs are also more likely to be housebroken, and they love to learn. But they do require some care tailored to their needs.

For instance, Dee Dee is hearing-impaired, so on walks Peterson puts a vibrating collar on her to signal Dee Dee to follow hand commands.

To experience the joy of an older dog, pet guardians need to be aware of the special status of senior dogs. One of the most important is the need to remain a vibrant part of the family.

Teach your old dog new tricks, and buy it a new toy to keep its mind active. Keep your dog near you at home and praise it often to make sure your senior knows it's still part of the family.