older puppy parents

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

Wondering how many of us are over 50 and starting this new adventure with puppies. Lilly is 11 wks old on Thursday. I am 58 1/2 :)  Wonder if we should start our own group?

[Cathy w/Shiloh~Cody]

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/50s

 

they do have a group for over 50-but its not puppy specific, but I think it works for us. See Link above.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Yeah, join us. I call it "not ready for" empty nest syndrome. Lose a kid, get a dog!!! My last one is off to college this September....wahhhhh!!!

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

thanks Carla...I lost two kids to life as adults and my mind when I decided to get a puppy:)

[Melody & Bruin]

ha ha ha....

 

[Jennifer & Kai]

I am right there with you girl...I am 58 will be 59 in January..My boy is 17 months....and he keeps me moving and grooving.  I have lost over 10 lbs...just walking him daily....and my cholesterol has dropped from my exercise also...he is one of the biggest loves in my life....You are just beginning...but it won't take long...I got Kai into training at 5 months...and so glad I did...it has helped with so many issues I read about on this site.  Sounds great having our own group...

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

thank you Cathy for the link.. I just joined!!

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

Jennife..that is exciting that you have lost 10 lbs! My birthday is 12/31... when is yours in Jan?  Cathy gave us a link to a 50s site..

[Jennifer & Kai]

Jan. 30th!!!!

[Anne G.]

DH and I are in our early 60s and have our first puppy Murphy, now 6 month old. I can definitely relate!! I thought we were crazy to do this but we're having a blast. We retired 2 years ago, traveled for awhile, and now were home with the pup for at least her first year. After that I won't mind having her go to a good doggie hotel if we want to get away.

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

thank you Anne!!

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

My DH and I are in our 50's and Lucy is our 1st dog... ever. DH always says Lucy is his FAVORITE dog (never mind ONLY dog! LOLl). She'll be 2 in November, and has the same puppy spirit she had when she was much younger. We started with training (at home) the moment she arrived, and continued with formal classes through Intermediate. We're now progressing through Agility training, and Lucy seems to be a natural at it. She is the smartest dog I've ever known (alright, the ONLY dog I've ever known) and can't imagine life without her. Our lives revolve around her and activities involving her. We LOVE Lucy!

I want to add, too, that EVERYTHING puppy related gets easier with time. I remember those early months when time seemed to crawl. There was just so much work involved with raising a puppy... and I was prepared! So, when times get difficult with your young puppy, just remember that in a couple years you'll have a completely settled in dog, and if you've done all the proper foundation work (training, training, and more training) you'll have a well adjusted, well behaved (ALWAYS working on this one with Lucy!) dog that is a true companion.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

I just turned 55. Lucca will be 3 and Izzy will be a year in September.  I have kept my weight stable since having these dogs. I walk 3x a day and really feel like garbage (out of guilt for them but health-wise for me) when I don't walk them. We walk rain or shine. We got Lucca as a pup because we just wanted to do puppyhood one more time.....then came puppy Izzy 2 years later:) Just like kids, 2 totally different personalities with the second one being a handful!!! I think they have kept me young-ger:) and I agree that they are the loves of my life. DH thinks he comes 2nd to these guys but he is just as in love with them as I am.

It's been fun and I wouldn't do it any differently. And I am sure going to need their distraction this coming September when the last goes off to college and the middle one moves out permanently. I may put Izzy in agility training. She has so much energy we have to figure out how to diffuse it. Lucca is sooooo mellow!!!