When Dog Care Becomes Too Difficult in Old Age
In old age, it’s important to find companionship to cope with life’s difficulties, and for many, a dog is the perfect friend. Once you get older, dog care for seniors becomes more difficult to take care of a pet, especially a dog, which requires you to have a lot of energy. Although there’s nothing worse than parting ways with your dearest friend, it’s important to recognize when it’s time to start finding a new home for your dog. In this article, you’ll learn how to select the right owners and recognize when it’s too difficult to take care of your pet, so you can rehome your dog responsibly.
Physical Challenges of Dog Care for Seniors
Pexels
There are a number of reasons why the challenges of dog ownership for seniors becomes more difficult with age. Elderly individuals experience physical challenges while caring for a dog, such as difficulty moving around and struggling with balance. Seniors also struggle with the physical demands of dog ownership, such as to bend down, lift, walk, and manage energetic dogs. For elderly people with hearing loss and dog care challenges, it’s hard to hear a dog whining for food, the potty, or begging to go outside. On top of that, safety challenges for seniors with dogs become worse with age, making it more difficult to carefully navigate a walk, avoid falls, and make your way around the house to feed the dog or go outside for a bathroom break.
Difficulties of Caring For a Dog
With that in mind, a younger person is more able to physically care for a dog safely. It’s easier for young people to be energetic, careful with how they move, and have the physical strength needed for dog care. There are a lot of daily dog care responsibilities, like daily walks, lifting food bags and supplies, bending to clean up accidents, along with managing energetic or strong dogs. As physical health continues to decline, elderly individuals may have difficulty maintaining daily dog care.
Hire a Permanent Dog Walker
Pexels
For anyone finding it impossible to let go, another alternative to searching for a new owner is in-home dog care for seniors, such as hiring a permanent dog walker to come to your home on a daily basis to help take care of your dog. There are tons of different ways to find a dog walker, whether it’s online or through word of mouth. This is a great way to help with supporting daily dog care at home.
If you’re looking to use an app, here are some suggestions:
- Care.com: While this website helps people find childcare, it can also be used to find a caregiver or walker for your dog.
- Rover: Find reliable, friendly dog walkers and set your own rates on this popular mobile phone application.
- Nextdoor.com: Search for dog walking services in your neighborhood.
Find a Family Member or Friend to Adopt Your Dog
There is a solution to this problem, and it starts with finding a loving home for your dog. Moreover, there are many ways to do this, starting with rehoming a dog through friends or family is a great place to start. You can select someone who has a family of their own, but if there are children, first make sure the dog is kid-friendly for families. Everyone should feel comfortable having the dog in their home. Truth be told, you’d be amazed by how many people are looking to adopt a dog in your neighborhood. Whether you’re giving your pet to a person who lives alone or a couple who loves dogs, another option is to rehome your dog through your social network.
Use Social Media to Search for a New Dog Owner
Another effective way to search for a new owner is to rehome a dog on social media. This might seem challenging for those of you who aren’t familiar with the technology, but using social media for dog rehoming starts with a little lesson. For example, let’s say you’re posting a dog adoption on Facebook. The first step is to go onto your Facebook status for dog adoption. If someone is interested, one of your Facebook friends will either comment on the status or message you privately.
How to Use Facebook For Dog Adoption
It’s at the top of the page, where it says “What’s On Your Mind?” type in an announcement such as, “I’m looking for a family to give my dog to. He is friendly, potty-trained, and loves kids,”. Of course, you’ll want to customize the description so it accurately describes your dog. It’s necessary to be very specific so the potential owners can decide if the dog is a good fit, making it easier to choose the right owner for your dog.
Finding a New Home for Your Dog on Instagram
On Instagram, you’ll be making a story to let everyone know you're looking to find a new dog owner. To begin, you’ll click the “plus” button on your Instagram. Select the one that says “Story”. Click on the “camera” button on the left side. It opens your photo library. After that, upload a cute picture of your dog using photos for a dog adoption post. Describe your situation by sharing your dog’s background for adoption, just like in the instructions for Facebook. Tell your followers to contact you through direct messages for dog adoption. When someone replies, answer any questions about the dog the person may have and give details about arranging a dog adoption meet and greet.
Guidelines for Meet & Greet for Dog Adoption
With that being said, it’s important to select a public place to meet the potential owner. Choose somewhere like a park or a dog beach. It’s the best way to host an interaction safely. While your potential owner is meeting the dog, pay as much attention as you can to how your furry friend is responding to this new person. You’ll be able to tell if the dog is interested in the potential owner by watching their body language for signs the dog is comfortable with the new owner. For example, if the dog is wagging their tail and walking near a person, it’s a sign that the dog finds their prospective family trustworthy. It’s important for both the human and the dog to be comfortable with one another, so they can develop a bond of companionship over time.
Say Goodbye: Last Moments With Your Dog
If you feel that the family is a good match, take a moment to say goodbye to your dog, offering one last cuddle and kiss. For those of you who feel like you’ll have a hard time without your dog there, you can always ask the new owners if they would be willing to arrange visiting your dog after rehoming to stay in touch. The feeling is lingering in the air. You love your dog, but it’s time to say goodbye. It’s the most difficult choice you’ll ever have to make, but it’s important to think of what’s in the best interest for your dog. Remember the good times and memories that are worth holding onto.
Give Your Dog the Best Home Possible
When it’s all said and done, it’s crucial to think about your own health and what will benefit you best. There aren’t words to describe how good it is to have a peace of mind about the family you choose for your dog. There’s no greater gift you can give your dog than a loving home where you can trust that your pet will be well-taken care of. Now could be the time to help your dog find a loving family, offering them happiness and joy.
