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Every since we adopted Dustin (the wonder dog) we’ve gotten emails from people who thanked us for adopting an older dog. In each case I felt like we didn’t need to be thanked. We were the ones who came out ahead. It’s like bending over and picking up a diamond everyone else just passsed by. I got lucky and made out like a bandit. So don’t thank me, I got the diamond. And yes, my 10-year old dog is a diamond. He came to me housebroken, calm, polite, and loving. And right from the get-go he’s given us so much joy.

The other odd thing is that despite all the work you’re in for people want puppies because they’re cute and playful. But Dustin doesn’t know he’s not a puppy. Yes, he’s a little stiff in the morning but he’s always ready to go for a walk. And he trots down the street like he’s got an appointment to make. He has warts and is a little gray around the muzzle but show him a squeaky ball and get ready to play. He also loves a good tug of war. And cute? He’s got a face that always makes me smile.

So what did I do? I adopted a mature dog that knows not to go in the house. Knows not to chew on the furniture, who loves to play and can still outrun me. Like I said, I got the diamond.

A friend sent me the following poem. It’s about adopting an older dog. WARNING, it’s a tear jerker. But I’m adding it here cause it does bring home the point that older dogs have a lot to offer and any dog adopted out of a shelter is a life rescued — and a friend for life.

>> ONE BY ONE …
>>
>> One by One, they pass by my cage,
>> Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
>> Way past his time, he can’t run and play.
>> Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.
>> A little old man, arthritic and sore,
>> It seems I am not wanted anymore.
>> I once had a home, I once had a bed,
>> A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
>> Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
>> Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
>> My family decided I didn’t belong,
>> I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
>> Whatever excuse they made in their head,
>> Can’t justify how they left me for dead.
>> Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
>> The younger dogs get adopted away.
>> When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
>> You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
>> You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
>> And felt I still had life beyond this cage.
>> You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
>> And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
>> We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
>> You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
>> I may have lived most of my life with another,
>> But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
>> And I promise to return all the love I can give,
>> To you, my dear person, as long as I live.
>> I may be with you for a week, or for years,
>> We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
>> And when the time comes that God deems I must leave, I know you will
>> cry and your heart, it will grieve.
>>
>> And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
>> My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
>> And I will brag to all who will hear,
>> Of the person who made my last days so dear.
>>
>> – - – - – - – - Author Unknown

Well, we’ve had Dustin for a week and it’s been nothing if not interesting. I’ve started to tell friends that adopting a new dog is like becoming a new father. All of my important tasks this past week have been pet related: I’ve had to make a couple of visits to the pet store, took Dustin for a check up with the veterinarian, took Dustin to attended a play date with some other dogs, went over adoption photos with friends, planned on going down to animal services for a dog license but luckily got it at the vet’s, I’ve had my shirt covered in drool almost daily (both the cat and the dog slobber), had to deal with projectile vomiting, have filled up my pockets with baggies for possible “accidents,” and am continually breaking up fights as one animal always insists on annoying the other. If they could speak I know that the hissing and barking would be replaced with a perpetual chorus of: “He’s looking at me. Shut up. No, you shut up. No, YOU shut up. I’m not listening! Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah. He’s in my chair! I didn’t do nuthin. He’s crazy. He’s touching my stuff! Can we give him back?” Etc., etc., etc.

Not that there hasn’t been some good moments.

It only took about twenty minutes for Dustin to feel comfortable enough to lie down, roll onto his back, and begin asking for belly rubs. (He’s obviously a fan of a good massage.) And though he started giving Catherine kisses on Day 1, it took him a few days longer before he got around to giving me kisses — and they’re butterfly kisses. He ever so lightly licks your face with just the tip of his tongue, as if he’s afraid to press any harder. A smart dog, he learn things very quickly. He learned the way back to the house after one walk around the block, he learned to “sit” for a treat after two or three attempts, and he’s learned to pretend he’s not interested in the cat till it looks like we’re not watching. Then he rushes over to poke him.

People have told us that we have done a wonderful thing by adopting an older dog. But I keep telling them that we’re the ones who came out ahead. Dustin is a good dog — with great manners and a gentle disposition. People who have met him can’t understand why nobody saw this before. The kind of dog he is obvious from the moment you get to know him. I really don’t have an answer for that. Maybe people just never took the time to get to know him.

So there you have it, week #1. We now have to get the carpet in my office cleaned, and we can’t wait till the cat and dog just ignore each other, but we’ve gotten to know a lot about each other and are settling down into a routine. Can’t wait to see what Week #2 brings.

Well, I have to say it’s been a long and exciting weekend. (I know, it’s Tuesday, but it took this long for me to find time to write about the weekend.) Where to begin?

We headed out on Saturday to Miami and to adopt Dustin. Our good friends Richard and Byron were so excited about the adoption that asked if they could come along. We were thrilled to have them and knew it would make the ride go all that much faster — which it did. The weather prediction was for showers but we managed to avoid the worst of it on the drive.

When we got to Pet Rescue, which is in the Miami Lakes area of Miami, http://www.petrescuemiami.com everybody was waiting for us: Kathy Wasconis (the Director), Kathy Cremer (the volunteer who told us about Dustin), and Dustin. He was bathed and groomed and sitting with a bright yellow bandana around his neck. Though Dustin has lived his entire life in the shelter, and had no expectations of being adopted, he looked like a dog about to go on an adventure. There was a certain glint in his eye and a smile on his face.

The adoption process was very quick and with rain threatening overhead and tears in everyone’s eyes we headed out to our hotel. The publisher of “The New Barker” (who wants to do a story on Dustin) had arranged for us to stay the night at the Hotel Indigo just off of SR826 at the NW 154th St. exit. The hotel, having heard the story of how we’d decided to adopt a senior dog hours away from our home, wanted very much to help us do this. I have to say, we’ve stayed in some very good hotels in places like N.Y., Las Vegas, Orlando, Boston, and the Bahamas, but we were never more welcomed or better treated than we were at the Hotel Indigo. The hotel did everything it could to make our stay, and Dustin’s transition from shelter life to being a family dog, as easy as possible. We are extremely grateful for their kindness.

Walking Dustin

On Sunday morning we took the long drive home. Dustin acted as if he’d been on dozens of long car rides and seemed to enjoy the entire experience. (As far as I know he hasn’t even done a dozen car rides, let alone any long road trips.) When we got home he immediately got to meet some of the neighbors and explore the yard. So far he’s had nothing but fun and the only person not happy with the situation is our cat. The cat is definitely of the opinion that a wild animal has gotten into the house and we must all be on our utmost guard lest it catch us unawares. I’m hoping that resolves itself soon.