Second Chance: Senior Perks

17 Aug Second Chance: Senior Perks

Dear Pet Column,

I recently met Kandy Korn at the Second Chance Shelter and really took to her.  She was loving, enjoyed affection, and is such a beautiful girl. She really opened my heart, yet I am concerned about her being 14 years old and think it would be better for me to get a younger cat…

Sincerely, Krazy for Kandy Korn

Kandy Korn

Dear Krazy,

Thank you so much for your lovely compliments. My staff thought it best if I, Kandy Korn, wrote back to you directly.

Your email comes at an interesting time as my staff here at Second Chance has taken up a particular crusade to find me a home, which is what happens once an animal has spent too much time here being overlooked for the younger cuter pets. Although Second Chance staff and volunteers treat me like family, that can never compare to a true home and family of my own.

But don’t worry, I am not here to write a “poor-me” sob story, it is not my style, I am a cat after all. And yes I am 14 years of age, no biggie, it certainly doesn’t mean I don’t have anything left to give. To the contrary, it means I have more…

Adopting a pet is certainly a lifetime commitment and the age of a pet you adopt should be reflective of your lifestyle. From this point of reference there are advantages to adopting a pet of more mature years, for example, we are so less needy than our younger counterparts. We have learned to let go of many of our bad habits and demands. We teach others an acceptance of life that is comparable to the Zen teachings – BE.

Adopters I have briefly met at the shelter and who have had their hearts opened by my unabashed willingness to extend myself to them have all ended up leaving with one of the younger cats here at the shelter. I fully comprehend their fear of the potentially shorter lifetime we would have together. People would rather avoid or prolong the grief of saying goodbye that is a natural part of life, I understand. (Remember I am a Zen Master…).

I also know that we make the most of what we have – and cat life longevity varies up to 20+ years. So yes, adopting an older pet has certain risks, namely earlier loss of a loved one, but there are no guarantees of longevity for any pet. The important thing is the time we have together will be richly rewarded by love, connection, and companionship.

I am not attempting to persuade anyone who is not the right person or family to bring me home, but I am asking you to consider the fact you might be the right person after all. If you have a warm and comfortable home where I can stay inside and greet you and the rest of the family with willingly receive rubs and purrs, you might want to consider coming to see me at the shelter.

In closing, and at the risk of sounding melodramatic, I will leave you with this thought: every day more spent at the shelter is one day less I can spend with you…

Rebel

And if it is my antithesis you seek…there is always Rebel, a four-month-young Cattlabracollie, who is good with dogs, people – and insects. He is a smart boy, who is learning quickly (all the things that I already know of course) and who needs a good pick-me-up adoption as the rest of his litter has already been adopted.

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

Ted Hoff &  Magnificent Mae

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup or get your pup (or adult dog) trained than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)

Dr. Michelle and Wallowby