Last October, we got [Cooper](Photobucket | Make your memories fun! pics) from the local animal shelter, he’s now around 3 years old and a great family dog.
He’s the only dog at home, loves his people (me, Mom, Sis, Nephew, and Niece), and he has a dog friend when I drop him off at my sister’s place when I go to work
He still has a lot of puppy energy (Porties mature slowly, long puppyhood) and I’m working with him on greeting other dogs at the beach, he REALLY wants to be friends and strains at the leash to get to the new buddy.
Anyway…
I’ve been visiting the shelter website regularly, just to see what other adoptable dogs are there, just out of curiosity, and one in particular really caught my attention, her name is Ripp.
She’s a 9 year old German Shepherd, normally, I wouldn’t pay much mind, but she caught my eye for a few reasons;
1; she’s a shepherd, and I love that breed
2; her coat looks striking, I almost think there might be a little Husky in there (another favorite breed)
And most importantly;
3; she’s been at that shelter for at least a month and a half now, I’m sure she’s being passed over due to her age
I know that I’m anthropomorphizing a bit too much, but I can’t help feeling a little sad for this gorgeous girl, being passed over as being “too old”, it’s not fair for her to spend her senior years in a shelter, passed by and passed over for being “too old”
I called the shelter, and asked about her, she is healthy, and has no medical issues, and they remarked at what a sweetheart she is, and they also expressed frustration at the ageism she’s dealing with…
I’m thinking of visiting the shelter this Saturday, bringing Cooper with me, and meeting Ripp, then seeing how Cooper reacts to her, I’m sure he’ll want to be friends, he ALWAYS wants to be friends, hasn’t met anyone or any dog he’s disliked…
I figure, if I can make Ripp’s golden years happy, that’s all she’d want, a loving family and a forever home…
She’ll also have Cooper as a buddy, a pond to swim in, 50 acres of open fields to run in, a cat friend, some chickens to play with, and down at my sister’s place, a long haired chihuahua …
And who knows, maybe she can teach Cooper to greet new dogs better and how to mellow out a bit…
So, fellow Dopers, be the cold voice of reason for me, I know 9 years old is getting old for a GSD, are there any big issues I’m not seeing here?