A Retirement Home for Dogs - How do we feel about this?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

http://thebarkpost.com/worlds-first-luxury-dog-retirement-home-open...

I'm really not sure how I feel about this. It's interesting though and maybe a good solution for those who are no longer able to care for their dogs but I don't like the idea of people abandoning their dogs in their old age, even if they are making sure they are well cared for.  I like the idea of a law that requires pet parents to care for their dogs for life. That seems like a great idea to me.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

There has to be more :( 

 

We have a retreat for elderly dogs that are abandoned at shelters in our community - a non-profit rescue group - it's a last resort for aging dogs that have been left at kill shelters.  I think it is great for those sad situations.

 

I could get on a soapbox about abandoning your pets at old age, but I will keep it short for now.  Dealing with a 10+ year chi with serious health issues.  I will put it to you simply:  my father had to help me on Saturday with administering Tacky's fluids. He said "wow you sure love this boy" and I said "think about how I will take care of you when you are old". Just sayin'....says a lot about someone.  I just come from a family where you don't give up on people/animals you love when the going gets tough.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I just love how committed you are to Tacky and totaly agree that it says a lot about someone.

Starting a retirement home for elderly dogs in shelters is exactly what I would love to do one day. I also think that having a volunteer program for people at risk to help take care of the animals would be a great way to help people recover from trauma. Another project of mine is to create a sanctuary for the pets of women who are escaping domestic violence. Most women's shelters don't allow pets and one reason why women stay in domestic abuse situations is because of their pets. And the sad part is the pets often suffer at the hands of the abuser too. I would love to do something like this one day. Too bad about that pesky day job and all those bills that need paying. A girl can dream...

[Jen W]

I'm guessing the author of the article knows nothing about dogs or they'd know what a dog gym is.  

I also don't understand the legal requirement to care for a dog until its death.  How is that different than the US?  It is illegal to abandon your dog here, too.  Are they trying to say you cannot put a dog to sleep in Japan?  I find that very hard to believe.  Is it illegal to put an older dog up for adoption in Japan?  Again, I find that very hard to believe, but who knows.

I also don't understand what this place is.  Is it like a hospice center for dying animals?  Or is it more like a traditional doggy daycare but targeted towards elderly dogs.

Maybe I need to drink more coffee and read it again.