Thoughts on dogs and senior citizens?

[jenn D]

I didn't really know how to title this one. Do you guys think dogs provide benefits for seniors, specifically ones living alone? After being around PB&J my mom is contemplating getting a dog for companionship. She is in her 60's physically fit but she lives alone. She lives about 10 minutes from me and we are a close knit family. She comes over multiple times a week, has helped me with my kids and plays with our dogs. She is wondering if a dog would be a good thing for her or not. I know she gets lonely in her house and she likes to walk a lot. She has a small patch of grass in her backyard and does want to know if you can train a dog to go potty in a specific area because she would rather not have the grass covered in burn spots. She has no issue cleaning up in the rocks or other areas of the yard.
I guess I'm looking for the pros and cons of her getting a canine friend. From what I can see here are the pros and cons I'm aware of or that she is worried about:

Pros:
Lives alone and would like company in evenings especially
The dog would probably give her some feelings of security
It keeps her walking
We could take obediences classes together
She has a friend who is really into dogs who lives 2 houses away, a groomer.

Cons: (her worries)
She travels a few times a year so dog would probably come stay at "casa jenn" with our doodles while she was gone.
She is worried about her tiny parcel of grass getting ruined.
She bakes cakes for everyone in the family for celebrations and is worried the dog would have a hard time just hanging out in the house with her while she decorates.

Ok I'm sure there are more. Thanks for any advice. I'd like her to have a companion and some unconditional love but only if she really wants it.

[F, Calla & Luca]

And me : )

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Im right there with you Joanne. Trying to build onto our home so mom and step dad have their own space to come live with us. They are still in their right minds, more or less, but it's just a matter of time before they will require more care and supervision. The hardest part was convincing them of that, so good luck. Yes, a group for those of us caring for aging parents would probably be useful.

[jenn D]

You guys over 60 aren't seniors! 60 is the new 40! I just didn't know what to title my post. 40 is the new 18 so I can't be held accountable....I'm still a teenager. Lol! ;)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

My parents are 62 and I wouldn't call them seniors - that makes me so sad even thinking of them being "old"!

The concerns are minor. 

My parents have a terrier (aka terror) and we keep her when they go out of town, as they keep my two when we go out of town. They have been in NYC for 5 days and are getting the terror tonight. They are going to a national park this summer for 2 weeks and coordinated with me so we can keep Lucy for them.  It works out just fine.

62 is young...it's the new 40 haven't you heard?  My mom never turned 50..she started counting backwards so she's actually in her 30s now.  Age is just a mindset, right?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh Allison, I love this!  I love that you think 62 is the new 40....that makes me only 45...woo hoo!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Oh to be 40 again! ;)

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Allyson, love your attitude -- and your mom's! I started counting backwards too.  Now my son reminds me from time to time that he is older and wiser!  LOL Not happening :)

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

WTD happened to my comment…well, I probably pushed the wrong button --as a new "senior" I should probably get used to that LOL.  Can't quite get my head around "senior" though, as I thought I would have grown up by now!  I just  wanted to say that I think you're very wise to determine if having the companionship of a dog really outweighs the perfect lawn, the perfect house, a good night's sleep :)  For someone who's never had a dog, it could be more of a change to their life than they are prepared for or really want. I've had dogs all my life, so I thought it would be no big deal to raise a pup but it had been 17 years since the last pup!  And then I had "help."  Not great help but help. Still, FInn was a pretty good pup all things considered --and I loved him so much at first sight, it wouldn't have mattered if he was a devil. I love doing things with him and our life together has led me down all kinds of roads I didn't expect! Your being there is a great support for your mom -- so if she's ready for some of the challenges  :) the companionship and the love she'll enjoy will be awesome. Will be interested to hear what she decides.   

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I just turned 60 in December and can say for me, I am in the best place I have ever been in in my whole life for a dog/s. We have the time, the energy, the patience and the finances to give our dogs a great life and can really appreciate what they give back in return , which is just priceless. I could not imagine not having a dog for as long as I am mentally and physically able to care for one. An older dog would certainly be the way we will go next time though.

[Sandi]

There was an article in this week's New York Times responding to this, http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/07/life-with-a-dog-you-meet-p...

 Obviously, everyone is talking about it!

[F, Calla & Luca]

And it' small true : )

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Great article !