JoAnn Goodrich with her senior dogs (l-r) Bennie, Teddie and Sophie. Goodrich is founder of Destiny for Dogs, where she finds loving homes for older dogs. Photos provided
By Arden Moore
Puppies earn top marks for cuteness, but raising one means sacrificing sleep for potty training, guarding socks and shoes from curious teeth, channeling boundless energy, and teaching good manners through obedience classes.
I refer to the first year of living with a puppy as “the wonder year,” as in you wonder where your sanity went.
Fortunately, there is a saner option: adopting a senior dog or cat. Often, they are wiser and ready to love.
Fittingly, November, a month celebrated by giving thanks for friends and family, is also designated as Adopt a Senior Pet Month.
Need motivation to adopt a senior pet? Check out the happy adoption tales of dogs named Rusty and Finny. Both dogs were rescued by JoAnn Goodrich, founder of Destiny for Dogs, based in West Palm Beach. She has been rescuing homeless dogs for more than 30 years.
“We don’t rush dogs in and out,” says JoAnn. “We do what we need to do to help them find the right homes.”
Case in point: Rusty, a shih tzu, almost 14 years old. After his owner died, he was sent to live with a foster for Destiny for Dogs. “During the initial veterinary exam, we learned that he needed all his vaccinations and some teeth removed,” JoAnn says. “We were determined to find him a good home to live out his senior years.”
Kathleen Sprague Riescher of Delray Beach with Rusty, whom she adopted from Goodrich. Sprague Riescher says a puppy would have been a handful for her.
Kathleen Sprague Riescher, of Delray Beach, was scanning older dogs available on an adoption website and up popped Rusty’s bio.
“At my age — 77 — it is not easy to raise a puppy,” says Kathleen. “Senior dogs need love, too, and they are so grateful when you adopt them. The minute I spotted Rusty on the adoption site, I knew he was the one for me.”
Today Rusty enjoys his golden years with Kathleen and her 9-year-old shih tzu-mix named Mia, whom she adopted three years ago.
“Rusty loves to run and play with Mia and Mia loves to mother him,” says Kathleen. “He has a significant heart murmur and will need to be on medication for the rest of his life, but he is now healthy and happy.”
Jamie Corbin adopted two senior dogs from Goodrich: Finny, seen riding with Corbin in her golf cart, and Silke.
Now for the adoption tale of Finny. This senior Pomeranian’s bio on the Destiny for Dogs site grabbed the attention — and heart — of Jamie Corbin, who lives in The Villages near Orlando. Two weeks after completing paperwork and having her references checked, she brought Finny home to join her dog named Silke.
“I had adopted Silke also from Destiny for Dogs,” says Jamie. “I am a senior myself and I wanted a senior dog, not a puppy. We guess Finny is about 13 and he absolutely loves to ride around with me in my golf cart. He is a happy-go-lucky guy, while Silke is more docile and prefers being at home. I am so glad I adopted them both as older dogs.”
A major advocate for senior-aged pets is Suzi Goldsmith, executive director of Tri-County Animal Rescue, based in Boca Raton. The shelter, which now includes a veterinary center, has saved more than 100,000 animals since 1996.
“We have rescued more older dogs than younger ones,” Suzi says. “I believe in giving dogs ages 7 and older a second chance at life. ... Older dogs know they have been rescued, more so than younger puppies.”
Tri-County offers a senior-to-senior adoption program, which comes with a discounted rate.
“Sometimes, we just charge the administrative fee of $50 but the bedding, food, all necessary shots and dental surgeries on these senior dogs have been done here at our veterinary center,” Suzi says. “We also have the same policy for those wishing to adopt senior cats. We tell people that older pets learn very quickly in new homes and do not have to be walked as many times a day as a puppy or young dog do.”
JoAnn notes that Destiny for Dogs is foster-based, meaning that dogs up for adoption stay with vetted foster volunteers in their homes until they are adopted.
JoAnn, 72, and her husband, Kenny Goodrich, 82, share their home with three senior dogs: Bennie, Teddie and Sophie.
“We are all seniors,” she says. “Every day, our dogs bring us a lot of joy. Senior dogs are simply the best.”
Arden Moore is an author, pet podcast show host and master certified pet first aid instructor. Check out her sites at ardenmoore.com.
Senior adoption options
If you want to adopt a senior dog or cat, or learn more about the process, reach out to these organizations in Palm Beach County that offer special plans and discounted rates for older animals:
• Destiny for Dogs, West Palm Beach. destinyfordogs.com.
• Peggy Adams Rescue League, 3200 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. peggyadams.org.
• Tri-County Animal Rescue, 21287 Boca Rio Road, Boca Raton. tricountyanimalrescue.org.
• Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, 7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach. discover.pbc.gov/publicsafety/animalcare/Pages/Adopting.aspx.
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