Everyone loves a puppy.  They’re cute and cuddly and so much fun to
watch.  But they’re also exhausting, destructive, and it takes a lot of
work and training to form them into great dogs.  When I started looking
for a second dog, I was most certainly NOT looking for a senior.  But
then I saw eight-year-old Simon (at the time, named Frosty).  I couldn’t
get his face out of my mind, and I contacted DRM to see if Simon could
come over for a play date with my girl, Shanoa.

It was love at first sight for all of us.  Simon was polite and well
mannered.  No jumping on me, no craziness.  He didn’t get on the couch
until I invited him up.  He was completely calm in the house.  He
ignored our cats.  We were still hesitant about adopting an older dog
(would he bond with us?  How long would he live?), but we took the
plunge and signed the papers.

I can’t imagine a better dog.  He’s nothing I wanted and everything I
needed.  He’s just about perfect.  Senior dogs are EASY adoptions. 
They have already learned all the ins and outs of being a pet.  They
have manners.  They’re easy going.  Older dogs are typically surrendered
because of life-altering changes in their families: divorce, job loss, a
move to a retirement community.  Unlike younger, boisterous
adolescents, you don’t really see senior dogs surrendered due to bad
behavior; they’re past that time in their lives.  What you see with a
senior is what you get!

Seniors are less intense, too  Simon still loves a good romp around
the yard, plays hard with Shanoa, and enjoys his walks, but he doesn’t
have the intense energy needs of my younger dog.  If it’s super cold out
or raining, he’s content to skip the walk and cuddle on the couch
instead.  He’s the sweetest, most loving dog, with everyone.  He
welcomes everyone as a potential friend, but has a nice, grown-up bark
to let me know when someone’s at the door.  He bonded with us quickly,
and deeply.  I’m pretty sure he loves me more than Shanoa does!

People can be hesitant to adopt a senior, but it’s the best decision
we’ve ever made.  He integrated into our household like he’d always
been part of the family.  Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe we’ve
only had him for a little over a year!  I’m so grateful to have him in
our lives. 

Nicole
Rescued by Simon 2011