In Memory of Herman 19??- 2004

Don't be Afraid of an Older Dog...

I know there are lots of dog lovers who only think of getting a puppy.
I have had more than one senior dog in my life.
Herman is the first old dog we have gotten but not the first adult.
He displays all the advantages of choosing a senior.
Like choosing any dog you have to look for one with good traits
but with the older pet those traits are much easier to see.

Don’t believe the “can’t teach old dogs new tricks” stuff.
A good dog wants to please and will try to do just that if you give them a chance.
My experience has showed adult dogs might be more inclined to learn a new trick quicker than the puppy.

I understand another problem with having an older dog is health and well ….death.
There is a cycle of life and that goes even for that little puppy.
Right before Herman arrived we had to say goodbye to Lady a 18 yr old red and white Irish Setter.
We had rescued her as an adult when my older daughter was starting school.
She and Lady grew up together, and my 18 yr. old teenager was with me when we met our vet at his house
one Saturday night. We had been successfully nursing Lady for a year but now she had gone completely down
and stopped eating. I held her till she was completely at rest while my daughter stood by and tried to be brave.
We buried Lady together. The sharing of this experience is something that no expensive trip or gift can compare
between parent and child. Herman then came into our lives and filled that void so well that the loss
became just a soft and sweet memory. Don’t be afraid of a older dog.
If Herman is with us for 5 more days are 10 more years he continues to give us those
wonderful memories that are shared and last a lifetime.

-John Sullivan