Life > Pets

Posted on Sat, Nov. 07, 2009

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Senior pets have lots of love to give

BY DIANE McCARTNEY

The Wichita Eagle

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, when the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Petfinder.com remind us that older dogs and cats still have a lot of life and love to give.

When choosing a pet, it's hard to resist a cute, bouncy puppy or kitten, said Jennifer Campbell of the Kansas Humane Society.

But there are many advantages to adopting a mature pet, she said: They are less likely to be destructive or require training, may require less exercise and offer fewer surprises.

"You know exactly what kind of personality they are going to have, and I find that very comforting," Campbell said.

Older dogs and cats that end up in a shelter through no fault of their own "really appreciate when they get that second chance" to be adopted, Campbell said.

"They know what it's like to be in a home and have a family and lose it," she said.

With proper care, dogs live an average of 10 to 15 years, and cats 15 to 20 years, Campbell said. So a 6- to 8-year-old cat or dog is going to "be around and be a part of the family for a long time," she said.

Staff at Andover Boarding Kennel are hoping to find a home for Cocoa, a special 8-year-old Labrador retriever whose owner recently died.

The owner, a client of Andover Veterinary Clinic, adopted Cocoa in 2002 after rescuing her from a ditch, said Karrie Jackson, boarding kennel coordinator.

When the woman was diagnosed with cancer in 2004, the dog was her companion through radiation and chemotherapy treatments, Jackson said.

And when she was losing her battle with cancer, Jackson said, she brought Cocoa to the kennel with a special request:

"Her comment to us was, 'Just because I have to die doesn't mean my dog has to die. Please find somebody to adopt her and love her.' "

Cocoa is a happy, friendly, well-behaved dog that loves people and other animals, Jackson said.

But she has medical issues that have made finding a home for her difficult.

Cocoa has diabetes and requires twice-daily injections of insulin. She also has allergies that make her prone to ear infections, so she must eat special prescription food.

Science Diet has donated some food for Cocoa, but her medical issues cost about $200 a month to treat, Jackson said.

Staff members have been caring for Cocoa and covering her bills, Jackson said, but they're hoping someone will be touched by Cocoa's story and give her a home for the rest of her life.

"We're hoping someone will take pity on a beautiful old dog," Jackson said.

Cocoa, who can be adopted at no charge, needs "someone who can afford to take care of her and love her," Jackson said, "because she gives it back."

For more information about Cocoa, call 316-733-0701 or e-mail info@andovervet.com.

Cocoa and other senior pets available for adoption in the Wichita area are featured on this page and at www.WichitaPaws.com.

Reach Diane McCartney at 316-268-6593 or dmccartney@wichitaeagle.com.