lol renee i had forgotten how much of a handful harv was. he used to run back and forth through the house while i was getting food bowls ready and bite me on the butt.
siren the miniature poodle was 15 1/2 when i got her. she didn't come from the shelter, and i was lucky enough that she had a vet as a sponsor who took care of her medical bills (and they were extensive- she came to me with heart disease, kidney disease, and glaucoma- all things we knew in advance). she was a hard dog at times- she was so old, and senile, and i don't think she'd ever been housebroken. but she was a sweet little old lady and i will forever be indebted to her for showing me the wonder of old dogs.
i had her for about 18 months.
harv was 10ish when i got him. he was a riot. he had been a cruelty seizure, had spent a year in the shelter, been adopted, then returned, and then i found him on petfinder. he was terribly sweet, so mellow, and just an all-around good guy.
i lost him after a little over a year, to a brain tumor, which was just flat out unfair. he was in great health otherwise. i cried and cried over him, but you know, i'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.
yes, it's a short time, but it's worth it.
i look at the dogs i've had since they were young getting older and it's so different. when they come old, you know they're old. you know that time is limited, and i think that helps you not take it for granted. oh it's sad, heartbreaking even, to lose them after such a short time, but the gifts they give... they're so great.
I'd love to rescue an elderly dog that needs a home; my only hesitation is their health. It would be quite heartbreaking only getting to spend a short amount of time with them.
