Dog days are (not) over: thanks to the CASPCA

My dog, Grace, taken with my cool new Instagram iphone ap

-By Lisa

We were looking for a puppy.

While we wandered around the CASPCA two weekends ago, we were certain that the pain of losing a dog was something that just needed to be put off as long as possible.  We wanted to delay the inevitable by getting a pup. That was what we wanted – a young and petite female; we were like some perverted old man.

But then we saw her.

She was a stray who was living on the street for a while, judging by her skinny, worm-ridden body when she was picked up by the SPCA. Her teeth are in very rough shape. The front ones are mostly gone and the back ones, while present, are not pretty.

And this is where we stopped in our tracks, trying to cram the outpouring of emotion back into our chests.

The information sheet hanging on her cage door at the SPCA reported that she is a “senior.”

We really don’t know how old she is, but she is no puppy. We couldn’t do the math and average things out and come to terms with the time we expect to have with her. We couldn’t analyze the pain-to-pleasure ratio and justify the emotional investment. If we adopted her, we just needed to take what we got; it could be one year or ten.

I must admit, I balked. After having lost two dogs in two years, I have slogged through that grief and barely made it to the other side. I was tempted to pass her over and play the safer bet by getting someone young who would give me the best years of her life.

It was pretty selfish, really.

But after spending five minutes with this dog in the grassy courtyard of the CASPCA, we realized that we don’t give a damn. Because having any time at all with Grace is worth whatever pain we will go through. We don’t know what we are taking on. Probably astronomical dental bills and the issues of the twilight years. But isn’t that life? Who knows what any of us have coming?

So, our shelter dog rescued me. After losing my other dogs, I thought my love was all squished up and cried out. But I found this whole other well of untapped love that, as it turns out, was destined for Grace.

I’ve talked about the CASPCA before and what a wonderful organization I think they are. Now I can credit them with the immense happiness that has been brought to Husband and I – I bow down in gratitude to them. They made the adoption process comfortable and supportive.

So, of course this is the part where I say if you are ready for a dog or cat in your life,  please consider the SPCA…you know the drill. But here is the part that I didn’t expect to write; if you are looking to adopt, think about an older animal. Let me just sing the praises of a dog who is past the puppy stage of whining all night and peeing on everything.

But on a more spiritual note, giving a home to an older dog is the ultimate in acceptance and being grateful for each moment. Isn’t that one of  the most incredible lessons of animals, anyway? Add that to her capacity for unconditional, boundless love regardless of her past experiences, and I not only adopted a dog but I gained a pretty wise life coach.

Now excuse me, I am going to go for a walk with my dog.

For more from Lisa, check out www.justherejustnow.com

 

Comments

[Marijean]

That's wonderful -- older dogs are great companions and I love the CASPCA.

[Simplifying the Simple Life]

Older dogs are great! She loves just being curled up on the couch with us - so sweet! We had such a great CASPCA experience.
Thanks for reading!!
~Lisa