The Pat Sides Seniors for Senior Program
 NEBCR,
Inc. believes that senior dogs make the best additions
to the homes of retired people and senior citizens,
and we also think that a senior citizen or retired
person can be the best rehoming option for a senior
dog. In honor of NEBCR's dear friend, and longtime
Border Collie rescue advocate and volunteer, Pat Sides,
we have created the Seniors for Seniors program.
Many senior dogs that come into rescue have come
from living with senior citizens. Often, their owners
have passed away or gone into assisted living. These
dogs are used to living with an older person or persons,
in a quiet environment. Just because their owner is
gone, does not mean they don't still have a lot of
life or love left to give.
Many senior citizens want a younger dog because
they are afraid to adopt a dog they think might die
soon, perhaps leaving them bereaved again soon after
the loss of another elderly pet. But Border Collies
are a long lived breed. Most live to 14, 15, or even
16 years old, and some have been known to live longer
than that, especially with the enormous advancements
in food and veterinary care now available. A dog can
die at any age, so one that has already reached maturity
is likely to be one that has been healthy all its
life. Even if a dog is on medication for some condition,
does not mean a shorter or lower quality life.
For senior citizens, these dogs represent a calmer,
less active pet, which is therefore more suited to
a less active lifestyle. Sometimes senior citizens
remember their previous dog when he or she was young
and active, and think that's what they want. But keep
in mind, when your previous dog was young, you were
younger and more active yourself. A young, active
dog might be more difficult for you to handle today,
and may not be appropriate to your current lifestyle.
We have gotten many young dogs in rescue (even puppies)
because they proved to be "too much" for
their older owners.
We would like to encourage senior citizens and
retired people to consider adopting a senior dog.
 In
order to help this happen, NEBCR is prepared to make
it easy for you to adopt a senior dog if you are a
senior citizen. If you are 60 years of age or older,
we will help you adopt one of our senior dogs (a dog
10 years or older), by waiving our adoption fee altogether,
providing and paying for ALL necessary vet care prior
to adoption (even expensive surgery if called for),
and through other incentives as they are available.
To help with this program, we are looking into
food donations and coupons for the purchase of dog
food formulated especially for seniors (please contact
us for more info.) We are also looking for discounts
from dog supplies companies. And of course, we are
seeking donations to help fund this program.
Senior dogs are often great characters.
Many of our own rescue volunteers have adopted a senior
dog that they were fostering because they grew attached
to them and found them endearing, entertaining, and
full of life. If you are a senior citizen, we hope
that this new program will open your eyes and that
you will open your heart to one of our wonderful senior
Border Collies.
CLICK HERE for a listing of ALL dogs currently
available for adoption. PLEASE NOTE that Senior dogs
ONLY (10 years+) are available as part of the Seniors
for Seniors program.
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