I have had the good fortune in my life to share a home with an older dog. Puppies are cute, and young dogs 
can be a lot of fun, but there is a great satisfaction for dog owners who can share part of their life cherishing and nurturing a faithful old friend.
The reason they call dogs “Man’s Best Friend” is understandable when you see pictures of a soulful face staring adoringly at his owner. This charming fiction becomes a reality over time as you get to know your dog well enough to talk to him. He understands your questions, and he answers them by going to the door, going to bed, going to the backyard, or standing by his dog bowl.
These are not “tricks,” but rather part of the inherent wisdom and bond found in the relationship between a dog and his owner. That is why we love our senior dogs so much. We can look forward to brushing their gray hair and knowing that they will stand by us, never questioning the fact that you are older as well, and not as athletic or handsome or knowledgeable as you once were. The phrase “All you need is love” says it all.
The pleasures of owning an older dog are fleeting, however. Our friends will eventually leave their time on earth long before we are ready. But the rewards justify the pain we feel, because we know they are happy on the other side, as they are in the poem The Rainbow Bridge. Older dogs are worth the journey and the tears we spend when we must say farewell.
It is our great fortune to be able to live long enough to experience being the proud owner of an older dog–a real bonus for all dog lovers who prepare their “bucket list” of life!
