Many people come in to shelters looking for a puppy that can grow with their family.
Other people overlook seniors because they are afraid of the inevitable fate a senior will face much sooner than a younger dog and do not want to deal with that loss.
They forget senior dogs can still have much life and love to give to a new family.
This is why we have developed our “Seniors FUREVER!” Program, to promote adoption of shepherds 7 years old and above. Although German Shepherds can live to be 13 or 14 years old, around 7 is when veterinarians consider large breed dogs to be entering their senior (we think golden) years. Anyone adopting a shepherd 7 years old or older qualifies for our “Seniors FUREVER!” program.
This Program benefits you in adopting a senior dog in two different ways – the choice is yours:
- You can adopt a senior dog from our program for a reduced adoption fee of $250 (still including all the veterinary work that costs many hundreds of dollars – neuter/spay, microchip, de-worming, heartworm testing, vaccinations etc.)
- You can adopt the senior dog from our program for the regular adoption fee BUT this adoption fee then becomes perpetual, and you may return any time in the future and adopt another senior dog from us at NO CHARGE!
Do you think a senior shepherd is right for you? Even older dogs are loving, playful, funny and protective. They are often calmer; obedience trained, and require less exercise and exertion on your part. Are you willing to open your home to a canine companion in his/her golden years? If you have questions please feel free to email us at Serendipity.email@gmail.com.
Tray’s Poem
One by One, they pass by my cage,
too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can’t run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.
A little old man, arthritic and sore,
it seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
a place that was warm, and where I was fed.
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn’t belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head,
Can’t justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
the younger dogs get adopted away.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
you saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw through the grey, and the legs bent with age,
and felt I still had life beyond this cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
and shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
you love me so dearly, you want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another,
but you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
to you, my dear person, as long as I live.
I may be with you for a week, or for years,
we will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.
And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
my thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
of the person who made my last days so dear.
— Leslie Whalen, in memory of her dog Tray