Thoughts on dogs and senior citizens?

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.

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Permalink Reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on April 6, 2014 at 7:21pm

I think that dog needs a home in NY state, they are looking for someone local.

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Permalink Reply by Brittney & Cally on April 6, 2014 at 7:26pm

Oh okay I did not know where it was from!

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Permalink Reply by Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie on April 6, 2014 at 7:37pm

Gosh, senior is what you make it. By senior, I think of MY mom who is in her 90s and is not able to train/care for a dog herself although she loves them. My dh and I are in our sixties and we have dogs and are perfectly capable of training and caring for them. Maybe she should borrow your dog for a few days to see if she WANTS to bother with a dog at all because if it would be her first pet, she might find that she really doesn't want to bother with one. I would hate to see her get a dog and then decide she didn't want it - what is your plan for that? Pretty much it seems to me that if you haven't had a pet by your 60's you don't really want the downside of pet ownership ( clean-up, maintenance, having to consider them when you leave - how long you can be gone for instance before the dog would need to be let out). If she decides she really does want the responsibility of a pet, she might prefer a mature dog to a puppy so it would more enjoy hangin' out or perhaps she would prefer a lower energy breed that also enjoys hangin' out. I would love to know what her decision is.

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Permalink Reply by Robin and Libby Louise on April 7, 2014 at 11:05am

LOL Nancy - I agree. I am lucky enough to still have both parents, they are 83 and 84. I will be 62 and usually feel pretty darn chipper! :)

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Permalink Reply by jenn D on April 6, 2014 at 8:22pm

Some of my replies got deleted when I was fidgeting with my computer. Whoops!

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Permalink Reply by Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver on April 7, 2014 at 5:53am

My Mom was 68 when she got Suki her Shih Tzu. Sounds like you were writing about my Mom :) My mother was retired, traveled a few times a year with a travel club but really wanted a little dog to keep her company and someone she could spoil :) I think your Mom would totally enjoy having a dog !! My sister or I would watch Suki when she traveled, you can train a dog to go in a particular area of the yard, you just need to be persistent. My sister trained her dogs to go on the stone area of her back yard to save on the grass. I think when your Mom is working on her decorating the dog will most likely cuddle up and just be happy to hang with your Mom. That of course is when they are out of the puppy stage ;) I think its a great idea and your Mom will totally love having a dog !!!

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Permalink Reply by Joanne ~ Spud* on April 7, 2014 at 9:12am

Senior citizens and 60s? GASP! We dont really think we are senior. That's six years away for me :(

I was so hoping that this discussion was going to be about my recent issues; Asking my mother to come live with me.

One of the cons for other family members was my active, happy, hyper dog, tripping over the dog, dog with a zealous greeting, etc. It's just all about the dog. My mother however, hasn't said a thing about a dog. My mother hasnt said a thing about wanting to move out of her home either! Really, how can others tell a person they need to live outside their own home when they are in their right mind? That's ethics 101. So, that's another topic. One that will probably not come up here :)