I like my dog more than I like most people. I have had six large dogs, and currently have #7.
My husband and I decided after our last dog passed, that we just didn’t want to go through the heartbreak again. We lasted about 3 months.
Now we have Lily, an English Cream golden retriever. We got her from a breeder in Missouri and drove to bring her home. She was a maniac!!!
Complete knucklehead!! The worst behaved puppy we had ever had!!
Now she is a sweet 4 year old.
A handful for two seniors for sure, but I don’t know what we would do without her.
We have been blessed with our dogs. Four rescues and three from breeders. I KNOW we are happier and healthier because of her! The kids and grandkids come for awhile, but Lily is always waiting by the door for us when we come home. Absolutely THRILLED to see us!!!
Great newsletter, Mandy. Pets are wonderful for so many reasons as you’ve outlined. I’m a do guy. Love ‘em all! While cats can live indoors without making noise, dogs must get outside to relieve themselves. And they can bark when they feel the need. Alas, many condos and almost all apartments prohibit pets. Many seniors live either in condos or apartments and may be prohibited from dog ownership. For those individuals who feel lonely without a dog, I’d recommend volunteering at a local shelter. They can always use a helping hand and how great for the older person?! It could be a win-win scenario!
Beautiful article! I’m grateful every day for my dog, Molly. I adopted her at the beginning of the pandemic, and she was my constant companion during that time, when I couldn’t be with my human friends. Thanks to her loving and outgoing nature, I befriended numerous neighbors whom we met while walking in our neighborhood.
I have to say I don’t know how to connect readers to my chat room! I have read all the articles online but have understood nothing from them. Last Sunday I stated that thread with my dog and sent out an email for everyone to connect to the thread and nobody answered. Their support is non existent, the worst I’ve ever seen. Here’s the email I use: support@substack.zendesk.com
I can see the photo of Molly if I go into the Power of Pets chat where you posted a “starter” photo and photo of your own dog, and click on “Reply” at the bottom of the chat. That opens the “Thread” with the photo of your dog and Molly. Please let me know if you find it. Finding the Chat feature in Substack wasn’t easy: I had to look up how to use it.
Okay I will try to find it using your instructions. I started that thread and asked everyone to send pics of their furry friends but nothing happened. I just can’t figure out this chat thing at all.
I agree. It’s not intuitive. Maybe it would be worthwhile to alert the Substack administrators to the issue that it’s difficult to access the chat for an article. It should be easy to connect to it directly from the article. If it were more obvious how to connect, I’m sure you would have received more photos in the Thread. We love to share photos of our pets!
A beautiful and inspiring article. I think I'm one for fostering. At least for now. I've taken care of two dogs for friends and found great success both times. I'm still not in a good spot to have a dog of my own, but even a few days out of a shelter and into a loving home with do both the foster and me a world of good. Great article!!
I have a slightly different perspective. I loved having a dog when I was partnered but, after divorcing, my ex and I alternated each having her for a week and those weeks solo were very hard. Getting her out twice a day, combining her needs with work and other commitments, finding her care for my frequent travels etc. I’ve resolved not to have a dog again unless I repartner. Shelters are always thrilled to have volunteers so that is an option for those wanting contact with animals without having their own.
You make a good point. Having a dog, for instance, is like having a baby. A lot of work! I had a yellow lab for 14 years when I was married and she was wonderful but time consuming, no doubt about it. But I think for many seniors aging solo who aren’t working, pets can be a delightful hedge against depression and social disconnection if they and the owner are compatible. If you have a smaller, older dog things aren’t as overwhelming sometimes! But of course any pet is work and some folks would prefer to be partnered when taking one on. An absolutely valid point.
I love this article ! My beautiful black lab from the Guide Dogs went to Doggie Heaven more than 10 years ago. I can still cry thinking about him . They are angels on earth!
I agree 100 percent. Mankind can be awful but dogs? They’re gifts from God.
Thanks!
I like my dog more than I like most people. I have had six large dogs, and currently have #7.
My husband and I decided after our last dog passed, that we just didn’t want to go through the heartbreak again. We lasted about 3 months.
Now we have Lily, an English Cream golden retriever. We got her from a breeder in Missouri and drove to bring her home. She was a maniac!!!
Complete knucklehead!! The worst behaved puppy we had ever had!!
Now she is a sweet 4 year old.
A handful for two seniors for sure, but I don’t know what we would do without her.
We have been blessed with our dogs. Four rescues and three from breeders. I KNOW we are happier and healthier because of her! The kids and grandkids come for awhile, but Lily is always waiting by the door for us when we come home. Absolutely THRILLED to see us!!!
You just can’t beat that!!!🦮🦮❤️❤️
Michelle, ya gotta love goldens! And you’re so right: most of them are loonies!!
Great newsletter, Mandy. Pets are wonderful for so many reasons as you’ve outlined. I’m a do guy. Love ‘em all! While cats can live indoors without making noise, dogs must get outside to relieve themselves. And they can bark when they feel the need. Alas, many condos and almost all apartments prohibit pets. Many seniors live either in condos or apartments and may be prohibited from dog ownership. For those individuals who feel lonely without a dog, I’d recommend volunteering at a local shelter. They can always use a helping hand and how great for the older person?! It could be a win-win scenario!
Volunteering at a shelter is a great idea for those who can’t have pets at home, Chris.
Beautiful article! I’m grateful every day for my dog, Molly. I adopted her at the beginning of the pandemic, and she was my constant companion during that time, when I couldn’t be with my human friends. Thanks to her loving and outgoing nature, I befriended numerous neighbors whom we met while walking in our neighborhood.
That sounds wonderful! I’m so glad you and Molly found each other. Dogs are gifts from God!
I didn’t get the picture of Molly. I wonder what happened.
I have to say I don’t know how to connect readers to my chat room! I have read all the articles online but have understood nothing from them. Last Sunday I stated that thread with my dog and sent out an email for everyone to connect to the thread and nobody answered. Their support is non existent, the worst I’ve ever seen. Here’s the email I use: support@substack.zendesk.com
I can see the photo of Molly if I go into the Power of Pets chat where you posted a “starter” photo and photo of your own dog, and click on “Reply” at the bottom of the chat. That opens the “Thread” with the photo of your dog and Molly. Please let me know if you find it. Finding the Chat feature in Substack wasn’t easy: I had to look up how to use it.
Okay I will try to find it using your instructions. I started that thread and asked everyone to send pics of their furry friends but nothing happened. I just can’t figure out this chat thing at all.
I agree. It’s not intuitive. Maybe it would be worthwhile to alert the Substack administrators to the issue that it’s difficult to access the chat for an article. It should be easy to connect to it directly from the article. If it were more obvious how to connect, I’m sure you would have received more photos in the Thread. We love to share photos of our pets!
Molly says “Thank you for the compliment!”
I did contact them and they never answered. As per usual. They’re useless!
A beautiful and inspiring article. I think I'm one for fostering. At least for now. I've taken care of two dogs for friends and found great success both times. I'm still not in a good spot to have a dog of my own, but even a few days out of a shelter and into a loving home with do both the foster and me a world of good. Great article!!
Thank you!
I totally agree. My two rescue cats definitely add to my mental ad emotional health.They are special housemates and keep me going.
How wonderful. So glad you found them and they found you .
Me too!!!
I have a slightly different perspective. I loved having a dog when I was partnered but, after divorcing, my ex and I alternated each having her for a week and those weeks solo were very hard. Getting her out twice a day, combining her needs with work and other commitments, finding her care for my frequent travels etc. I’ve resolved not to have a dog again unless I repartner. Shelters are always thrilled to have volunteers so that is an option for those wanting contact with animals without having their own.
You make a good point. Having a dog, for instance, is like having a baby. A lot of work! I had a yellow lab for 14 years when I was married and she was wonderful but time consuming, no doubt about it. But I think for many seniors aging solo who aren’t working, pets can be a delightful hedge against depression and social disconnection if they and the owner are compatible. If you have a smaller, older dog things aren’t as overwhelming sometimes! But of course any pet is work and some folks would prefer to be partnered when taking one on. An absolutely valid point.
Thanks Mandy! A great article.
I love this article ! My beautiful black lab from the Guide Dogs went to Doggie Heaven more than 10 years ago. I can still cry thinking about him . They are angels on earth!
They ARE angels! They're gifts from God! Thanks for reading.
Could not agree more- great article 👏