Pet Lovers

[NickNack]

@Boomernichols   I don't think it would be irresponsible at all to get a puppy at your age.  I just turned 65 and lost my French Bulldog last May 2020.  I knew I wanted another Frenchie, but I didn't want to go through housetraining at age 64.  I found a 3 1/2 year old from a reputable breeder.

I have adopted older dogs from rescue groups quite a few times, and all of them were wonderful dogs.  I would suggest you consider a dog that's a little bit older.

If you have your heart set on a puppy, though, I think that's fine at your age, too.

[MJDinVegas]

Hi, @Boomernichols !  My husband and I are in the same boat as you.  He is 71 and I turned 66 yesterday; we lost our Westie, Auggie, on May 3rd.  He was 13 2/3 years old.  At first, we didn't want to go through the loss again with another but have come round to the idea.  We are working with a breeder in Texas who has a litter due this month with pick up in October.  I've looked at Westie Rescue but my concern with an older dog is having to go through the loss again so much sooner.  And, yes, we could rescue another animal but just have such a love of Westies as a breed.  Our 30th wedding anniversary is in September, so we are planning a trip to pick the puppy up - our gift to ourselves this anniversary and one that will keep on giving for a long while.

Good luck with your decision.  I hope you find peace in it.

[Nataliesgramma]

No, you are not too old...

I am going to be 66 next month and I am picking up a Maltese/Shih Tzu puppy on the 30th.

We lost little Holly last Sept and we tried to adopt another small dog from several shelters. ALL told us that they don't let dogs got to anyone over 60. We even had my daughter as a back-up if anything would happen to us.

So...we went to a breeder and little "Belle" will arrive Aug 30th to her new home.

[NickNack]

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@Nataliesgramma wrote:

No, you are not too old...

I am going to be 66 next month and I am picking up a Maltese/Shih Tzu puppy on the 30th.

We lost little Holly last Sept and we tried to adopt another small dog from several shelters. ALL told us that they don't let dogs got to anyone over 60. We even had my daughter as a back-up if anything would happen to us.

So...we went to a breeder and little "Belle" will arrive Aug 30th to her new home.

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That really surprises me about shelters @Nataliesgramma .  I'm glad you were able to find a puppy from a breeder.

[arrabella]

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@Boomernichols wrote:

Do you think at 60 I would be irresponsible to get a new puppy?  I lost my westie, Toby Snow on July 4 at 16 years and 2 months old.  I was with him for the past 8 years 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  I miss him as he was truly my shadow and I long for that special bond.  My husband says whatever you want in a nonchalant way.  He is still working at 63 and that is ok but he would need to step up if something, God forbid, happened to me.  We have no children, parents are deceased and no aunts or uncles to take on an orphan dog.  I know you can't live on what ifs, but do you think I would be selfish to get another dog?  Hubby says no dog will take his place with you, thoughts?

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At 60, I would go for it.  Being 85, my elderly Pom will be my last as I have no one to take care of a pet when I'm no longer able to.

[Sushismom]

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@Nataliesgramma wrote:

No, you are not too old...

I am going to be 66 next month and I am picking up a Maltese/Shih Tzu puppy on the 30th.

We lost little Holly last Sept and we tried to adopt another small dog from several shelters. ALL told us that they don't let dogs got to anyone over 60. We even had my daughter as a back-up if anything would happen to us.

So...we went to a breeder and little "Belle" will arrive Aug 30th to her new home.

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So how did the shelters know how old you were? When  I was looking for another cat, not one of them questioned how old I was nor did any of the shelters say they wouldn't adopt out to anyone over 60. However, I was looking for a cat and not a dog.

[Marp]

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@Sushismom wrote:

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@Nataliesgramma wrote:

No, you are not too old...

I am going to be 66 next month and I am picking up a Maltese/Shih Tzu puppy on the 30th.

We lost little Holly last Sept and we tried to adopt another small dog from several shelters. ALL told us that they don't let dogs got to anyone over 60. We even had my daughter as a back-up if anything would happen to us.

So...we went to a breeder and little "Belle" will arrive Aug 30th to her new home.

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So how did the shelters know how old you were? When  I was looking for another cat, not one of them questioned how old I was nor did any of the shelters say they wouldn't adopt out to anyone over 60. However, I was looking for a cat and not a dog.

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@Sushismom,  my most recent adoption was from county animal control and one of the questions on the adoption application was my date of birth.  A background check was also run to be certain I had no record of animal abuse.

Rescue groups were almost invasive in their questionnaires.

[Sushismom]

@Marp 

Interesting. None of the shelters near me (and I live in a city of 1 million+) asked me for my birth date. Or, I should say, I don't recall being asked. Guess some places are different than others. 

[Sooner]

I'd say do you have someone to take care of the dog if you decide to travel and do you have a way to take care of the dog if one of you maybe is hospitalized for some time, etc.  

Those facts stopped us from getting another pet many years ago.  

[CoastalGal]

I have had dogs my entire life ~ our last one passed away less than  2 years ago ~ we went about a year with out a dog ~ hubby not a huge animal person like me ~ in Nov he said if you want to get anohter dog go ahead ~ but its your dog to take care of ( like all the others have been)     at 57 got a 10 week old puppy in January ~ at this stage of life seems like more work than i ever remember~ she is 9 months old now ~ still a lot ~ she is very sweet and very smart ~ and I was  determined that this dog would be trained ~ never trained my other ones ~ so hours watching videos ~ buying on line training courses ~ thinking I dont need a in person trainer ~ well I have now hired a trainer ~ she  dog is strong and pulls on leash and gets over excited when she sees people and dogs ~ when she gets over threshold ~ think small child melt down ~ she jumps and nips ~ no online training courses could help me get this under control ~   I know she will be better once we get her properly trained and is a little older ..... below is Ms Cali ~