10 Reasons to adopt an Older Dog

A pet is an integral part of a family. It brings about great bonding and attachment between the members of a family. However, getting the right pet for your family is an important decision which needs to be taken with a lot of thought and care. Adopting a pet is always the right way to go over purchasing an animal from a breeder. Streets and shelters are brimming with animals waiting to get adopted. Be it a breed or a stray dog, the older ones are mostly left behind.

Here are some of the advantages of adopting adult dogs -  

1. Tried and Tested Models

Most adult dogs have an understanding of basic commands. Actions such as sit, stay, no and the like are easily understood by them.

2. No Seek and Destroy

They have normally passed the teething stage and are less likely to be destructive and destroy your house. Rest assured, your shoes and rugs will not go missing and your furniture will not be chewed upon.

3. A nose which can see is better than two sniffing noses

Your house will definitely not smell like a toilet. Adult dogs normally have set schedules which they have been following for years. However, the owner does have the responsibility of understanding the timings at which the dog wants to relieve himself. Older dogs adjust to new schedules easily as well.

4. Take the Time

Adult dogs are more adjusting to hectic job schedules as well. They tend to be calmer and less disturbed when left alone for even a short period of time as compared to puppies who cannot be left unattended especially during the growing phase.

5. A friend in need, is a friend indeed

Older dogs make great companions. You can watch a movie in peace with them .

6. Walk the talk

Adult dogs can go on long walks without much trouble. If you feel you are chubby and need to lose some weight, take home an older dog as a jogging buddy and your dog will definitely act as your trainer, not just your companion.

7. What you see is what you get!

Dogs finish their growth phase by about 18 - 24 months. They reach their full size at this age. When you adopt an adult dog you know for sure that what you see is what you get. You can judge if the dog’s size is correct for your home and if your family will be able to handle him without too much trouble.

8. High Resistance Power, Low Budget.

A healthy adult dog is not as susceptible to diseases as puppies. They have stronger immune systems. Vet visits are far lesser in case of healthy adult dogs. This obviously means that the cost of maintaining an adult dog is lesser and you can even calculate this cost on a monthly basis even before adopting one.

9. The Non Explorer

Small puppies have a tendency to explore and welcome each guest at the door. If you would like to have a dog which is more under control and does not jump on every guest who comes in, an older dog is the one for you.

10. Adult Guard Dogs

Adult guard dogs know their job well. They have a better judgement of people and are really good at sensing criminal behaviour as well.

There is a unique sense of pride and a feel good factor associated with adopting an older dog who needs a home. The dog is more patient and understanding, sociable and adjusting. 

Sometimes, they can surprise you by the amount they will teach you about life. An older dog is much wiser than even the owner sometimes.



The article is co authored by Aditi Nair and Eden Dias from PAL. The pictures are by PAL Photographer Manaswini Shetye assisted by Simran Rohra. 

Have you been Loved today?

One of our members, Amritha Mohan, recently posted this really amazing video on our group page.
Watch it here -

Or click here to watch the video - 

Have you been Loved?

It is amazing how after a day of horrible encounters and in a world where there is no one to even listen to you even, your pets can make you feel like you are the most important person and the best thing that has happened to them and to their world.

Animals are such givers, they keep giving all their love and expect so less in return. They are angels on Earth!

STOP & READ - by Sarvesh Akolkar

First of all, a simple question to you - Are you an animal lover? 

If yes, are you planning to buy any animal to keep it as your pet ?

STOP!!

Think about it..!!

It is a commitment of around 15 - 20 years and there is no point in making the animal's suffering by not fulfilling that commitment.

If you are ready to fulfill the commitment, then you are ready to get a pet of your own.

Now, have you thought of buying one?
Instead, why don't you do the noble deed by adopting one and saving a life?

If you are adopting, then why not an Indian one?


Here are some of the reasons why one should adopt a Indian stray dog and there by saving atleast one life and taking it off the street.

1. BILLING 
Indian dogs are born and brought up here itself in India so they are well acquainted with the
environment. So, unlike other foreign breeds like GSD , St.Bernad , Collie and other heavy coated animals they do not need intensive care, air conditioning, special medicines, grooming and other expensive bills to add to your monthly bills.

2. LOYALTY POINTS 
It is wrong perception that Indian dogs are not meant to be kept as pets. That they need an open environment to live in and all sorts of rumors such as these…..WRONG!
Just like other dogs and puppies they can and need to be brought up in a caring and correct manner, that's all. Also there is a wrong concept that Indian dogs are not loyal.
Each and every dog is loyal to the one who cares for it (in other words its owner).
It is my own experience that if u nurture any dog he will be loyal with u for rest of its life..!!

3. RACISM 
Do u support racism….??
Think well before answering.
I am talking about racism in a broader sense i.e. I’m including animals also in it !!
If it’s illegal to discriminate any one on the basis of color then how can we humans support creating differences in animals on the basis of breed?? Is it correct?
It’s said that all are equal before nature.
Right now we are facing the problem of global warming just because we went against the law of nature…. Then why should one again go against nature and discriminate these beautiful creatures by their breed …?? And make each and every one suffer??? Is this correct???

4. MODIFICATION to SUIT NEEDS
Its true that there are some benefits of breeding like specialization of some dogs to execute a particular task and attain excellence..!! But is that excellence necessary for us in our day to day life or do u just want a pet who can even guard you…?? And if you choose to go for excellence then shouldn't you be excellent too??
Is it ethically correct to genetically modify you to create a perfect human being?
Also, along with a few benefits just look at the ill effects on these animals due to improper breeding.

Some examples are

Bulldogs (suffers from problems like low stamina and breathlessness if made to do a lot of exercise)

Dachshunds (suffers from back problems and numerous leg problems like weak hind legs arthritis in old age and also unable to walk if its weight increases)

Just think of the ill effects that man has introduced in these animals for the sake of his greedy and selfish needs !!

5. PURE ANIMAL LOVE
When asked, people say that they are buying a dog just because they like dogs, they are an animal lover.
So aren’t the dogs on Indian streets dogs?? 
If you are an animal lover then how can you tolerate those street dogs suffering from road accidents, inhumane people poisoning them…??

An example of that is the Kerla case
Please watch this video for more details -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEmCvP4TLSQ

From Sarvesh Akolkar -

I’m sorry If hurt any one in this article please don’t take it personally please
Images obtained through Google search.

I am Indian

Very often we see posts on Facebook, stickers on cars, t shirts, book covers, coffee mugs and many other things saying - 

I love India

I <3 India 

I love my country

I am proud of my Country

India is my country and I am proud of her

Mera desh mahan

My country greatest

India = Respect

Then other times, you see images of the Indian National flag and it says below it, 

"One share = Respect".

And then you see the beautiful Taj Mahal and below it a statement which says, 

"I am from the country which has this. Proud to be an Indian".

Sometimes you see an image of the Ashoka Pillar and you wonder about the beauty and the work in the architecture. And you feel exhilarated that you are Indian.

Then at times, you see a beautiful image of the Himalayas and you feel that this is the beauty which we are all proud of. 

Jai Hind!

The true natural beauty of our country, a picture of the mighty Ganga and you wonder how beautiful life can get in a country like this.

The very same country which gave you the majestic Tiger. 

And the scintillating Peacock too. 

The same country that gave you a diversity so wide and nature so beautiful that at times you just wonder about what more depths this beauty can go to.

And it is after all this that you see these puppies...

You see their tiny hands, tiny feet and their moist noses and mini ears. 

You see something which is so pure and untouched by anything other than love and true Indian ness.

You see their beautiful eyes and you are left wondering about how such a beautiful creation came by in your very own country.

And then you remember, that you are Indian.

You are in India, the beautiful land of life and love. 

And then you look at these pups and know they give you one more reason to be proud of your motherland.

Yes, they are Indian. 

Yes, your country made them naturally. 

Yes, they are beautiful.

And yes, you are proud of them!

ADOPT, DON'T SHOP

Adopt an Indian animal, adopt the true beauty of India!

Jai Hind.

Call 9324699829 or mail us on petownersandanimallovers@gmail.com to adopt these cute puppies! 

**Images taken from google, except the puppies.

Puppy images by Nishant Bangera.