Matchmaking for Pets and People

by Yvonne Borsody

As my car rounded a curve next to a walking path, I immediately saw trouble brewing ahead: an elderly woman was trying to walk her large, boisterous dog. Or more accurately, the dog was walking and pulling her. She was clearly struggling to maintain control as it excitedly strained against the leash, its behavior indicative of its youthfulness and need for training. Normally I would have enjoyed watching the pup’s unbridled joy, but instead I felt dread, because the two of them were obviously a mismatched pair. The woman was one wrong movement away from a serious fall, or her dog breaking free and running wild, perhaps into traffic. My other concern was how long this senior woman would realistically be able to keep such a large strong dog when she was going to become weaker and more at risk with age? Wouldn’t it have been better from the start, to adopt a dog that was a better fit?

For cat lovers, is there anything more adorable than a fluffy, bouncing kitten? Those big eyes and squeaky mews, loud purring, snuggled under one’s chin? But kittens come with only two settings-- fast asleep, or wild and crazy, until they settle into maturity. Their instinctual nature to play-hunt and stalk-pouncing on anything that moves, climbing curtains, couches, and human legs-- can make young cats unsuitable as pets for seniors. Wouldn’t a middle aged or older cat be a better choice for someone whose lifestyle is quieter and more sedate?

In the last edition of Berkshire Senior I wrote about the incredible ways we can benefit from living with a pet. That companionship can be a lifeline for both human and pet. Now let’s talk a little about the importance of choosing the right pet, especially for seniors. Think about your own lifestyle, and consider these points:

Every passing year means we’re one year closer to our furry companion outliving us, or our having to move into long-termcare housing that may not allow pets. Cats and dogs can live 1520 years, so we need to consider our own age and the age of the animal before adopting (and where it will go should something happen to us).

Know your activity level. A 75 year old who still plays tennis or runs two miles a day can probably handle a dog that is bigger and more active than a person who uses a cane or walker and has multiple health issues. For that person, a smaller, slower pet whose gait and pace are more suited to their own would be far safer.

Older pets make great pets! Don’t overlook them by thinking that a small 10 year old dog or

12 year old cat may not have many good years left. Older pets tend to be calmer, preferring to sleep near (or on!) your favorite recliner, rather than bouncing off the walls or trying to dart out the door every time it opens.

Fostering is also an excellent option. Animal shelters have a more difficult time finding new homes for older animals, and these sweet animals, suddenly displaced from the people and home they’ve known for years, often become depressed as they’re continually passed over for younger ones by potential adopters. Remember, if you foster, you can always decide to keep the pet should you fall in love with it, earning you the endearing term “Foster Failure”. Wear that badge proudly—and your lucky new dog or cat will thank you for it!

At this point, it must be obvious that I believe every senior—whether human or animal, deserves a happy and dignified quality of life, and that I love being matchmaker for people and pets. My own pets currently range in age from 12 to 15. I enjoyed their puppy- or kittenhood, but as I myself age and transition into a more relaxed lifestyle, their calmer activity levels have become a better fit with mine.

Nowadays, whenever I drive by pet-friendly senior housing or visit a retirement community, my heart is always touched by the sight of cats napping inside on sunny windowsills, or dogs walking and getting exercise in pace with their owner. Because I know that for both the human and animal, they are all the happier to be enjoying each other’s companionship.

Yvonne Borsody is a Berkshire resident specializing in animal rescue and adoption. She has a special interest in senior and animal advocacy, and quality of life issues for both.