Opening your heart to a Golden Oldie

We sometimes sadly get older dogs in our care – they may have been abandoned because they were not as young as they used to be, or they might find themselves homeless as their owner is no longer able to care for them, or has passed away. These Golden Oldies are rarely suited to kennels, and we often look for foster or forever homes for them.

Please have a read of this wonderful endorsement of welcoming a Golden Oldie into your home. Volunteer Jackie has opened her heart and home to an older dog on many occasions, and really wouldn’t have it any other way. Read her beautifully written story below…

I have recently said farewell to my gorgeous Asher. He was the latest family member he arrived with us 6 months ago spending a month and a half with my mom but after my mom suffered a stroke he came to live with us officially a Hilton for 3 months.

Yes, he came to us a senior…an oldie. Many wonder why you would willingly take on a dog of such age. Asher was 13 years, 5 months young when he arrived, and just 13 years and 11 months old when Rainbow Bridge called to him. Why did I adopt him? In that short amount of time he has captured my heart and brought me so much joy and laughter. He was wonky boy on legs with so much love of life it was infectious. He literally threw himself into life and loved going on walks with the girls (greyhounds). He loved me, and his greetings were never half measure – I am so grateful to have been given the chance to be his mom and his family when he needed a bed to rest on.

People ask “Isn’t it heartbreaking to have them for a short time?” Yes, its always sad to see a gorgeous soul leave you whatever age they are, and I’ve had my fair share of heartbreak. But, what is given to you in whatever time they have, is something I would not have wanted to miss. It literally is priceless, and the joy it brings to me swells my heart. I’m just so grateful that my Golden Oldies have given me such lovely memories.

I have been so lucky to have taken on many oldies from the age of 9 years up, in fact the majority of my dogs over the last 22 years have been senior. But, ‘time’ isn’t how long you have them it’s what you give to each other in the time you are together. I would rather have a beautiful dog in my life, than never have known and loved them at all. It’s my deepest honour to see them safely to rainbow bridge when their time comes, and thank them for their love and time with me.

So, I can honestly tell you that if they stay with you one month or one year you will not regret fostering or adopting an oldie. They have so much joy to give and you will not regret a single moment that you made that choice. Time is a concept and so it doesn’t matter if you have 13 years or 3 months, you love them just the same – it’s just the longer you have them the more memories you have.

Please consider adopting an oldie you truly will not regret it – I promise.

In memory of all my beautiful hounds now at rainbow bridge x

Jackie Hilton