New Life for Old Min-Pins

My first experience with adopting a dog from a rescue society was so life changing, there was no doubt I would repeat the adventure in the future. My first rescue was Angel, an old min pin who had lived her entire life in a puppy mill. She didn't bark, play with toys, walk up stairs or on a leash. She was the most amazing dog and we were able to provide her with 7 glorious years of non-puppy mill life. She passed away this summer at the age of 16 with all of us by her side. Her passing was very hard but it also taught me a great lesson...this world is full of puppies, happy loveable puppies! The greatest kept secret are older dogs. Not a day goes by that I don't think Angel appreciated her end of life home and family and with a little work she came out of her shell, learned potty training and was a fabulous dog. There was not a doubt in my mind that I would adopt another senior.

Zeus and Zena made my heart sink! Two 11 year old min pins born together and lived throughout their lives together...and separated for fostering. Two dogs is always a lot to handle, but two older dogs is a different story. They don't need to be constantly supplied with toys, exercise and supervision. Older dogs love to nap and cuddle. It took Zeus about 3 weeks to get over his anxiety of a new home (the heavy breathing, panting, etc) He followed me from room to room. He cuddles at night, does his business where he's supposed too and has shed some of his excess weight! He had problems with arthritis and walking, but with a bit of weight loss he's back to perfect health. Zeus was the quite one...Zena was the leader and I couldn't wait to get these two back together. Zena was right at home immediately, but she was very wary of strangers. Like Zeus, she also cuddles at night, does her business where she's supposed to do and has slowly started to lose some weight. In th
e past few weeks we've noticed their amazing little personalities....Zena is the 'guard dog' of the family, never missing a leaf fall or a squirrel run by and Zeus is the trouble maker, into any bag on the floor and even having survived eating two bags of M&M's! They both go for walks in the mornings, they sit for treats and are very patient around the neighborhood kids.

Older dogs are often over looked for being un-trainable and not as much 'fun'. Any dog can be trained and re-trained as long as patience is first on your list. Rescue dogs come from tragic situations and there is nothing quick about getting them 'normal' but it is achievable as I've seen with three dogs now. Small dogs live years longer than larger dogs, even with these two being 11 I know they'll be in our lives for many years to come and what makes it so comforting is knowing they will have had the best years of their little lives being with us.