A lovely couple came to the APS adoption center this week and made a choice for life. As they looked at each dog and puppy, I'm sure they felt the pull that puppies put on every dog lover. The APS adoption center has a great selection of dogs of various sizes and colors, breeds and mixes, temperaments and ages. It would be very easy to pick a pup or a young adult, but this couple did something else. They decided on Red, a big ol' redbone hound. Red is both big and old, at least old by dog standards. He is 6 or maybe 7 years old. He may live for another 3 or 4 years, but we don't know any of that for sure. Red could live for another 7 or 8 years. Yes, maybe his life is half over, but an optimist would say he still has half his life to live!

There are numerous advantages to adopting an older dog. A more laid-back nature is just one of those advantages. Many older dogs already know several basic obedience commands. They are usually out of the chewing and destructive stages, and many are housebroken.

They are still perfectly capable of learning new things too. It is a misconception that an old dog can't learn new tricks. They can learn just as readily as any dog at any age. Bring her to the APS learning center and sign up for a class that you will both enjoy.

When next you find yourself considering adopting a shelter or rescue dog, please consider this: Doesn't that older dog deserve to know happiness, shelter and love just as much as the younger dog? Perhaps they deserve it even more.