Senior pets are among the highest risk animals at shelters, but they can be perfect companions for many people

By Kim Campbell Thornton

My heart breaks every day when I look at my Facebook feed and see posts about older dogs in shelters. They look sad, scared, hopeful and confused. I wonder by what misstep of fate they were separated from or given up by their families. And I wonder why more people don't adopt seniors. My own experience in adopting a 13-year-old dog has, two and a half years down the road, been nothing but wonderful.

Luckily for seniors in shelters, award-winning journalist Laura T. Coffey, ably partnered by photographer Lori Fusaro, has gathered the stories and photographs of 19 golden oldies -- and the people who love them -- in the new book "My Old Dog: Rescued Pets With Remarkable Second Acts." Released just in time for Adopt-a-Senior-Pet month, it's a remarkable and heartwarming collection of aging dogs, lost or thrown away, who find second chances with people who look beneath their gray muzzles and slower steps to the loving heart inside.

There's Fiona, who was 15 with mammary tumors when Rita Earl found her at a West Los Angeles shelter. Earl took Fiona in as a hospice dog, thinking she had little time left. But with TLC and home-cooked meals, Fiona blossomed. Now she loves to barrel down stairs, play with Earl and her other two dogs, and dance when she's happy, which is most of the time.

"She makes my heart burst when she looks up at me with that gray face, full of love," Earl says.

Jimmy Chee, an 11-year-old retired racing Greyhound, was returned by adopters three times through no fault of his own. He found his forever home with Bob Fitzgerald, who had suffered debilitating health problems and spent long, lonely hours at home. Fitzgerald worried at first about Jimmy's age, but changed his mind: "This is a cool dog. He deserves to have enjoyment in life and relaxation and to be treated like a little king. He has a wonderful personality, and his age doesn't make any difference to me."

Advancing age caused Cullen, 9, to have to retire from his job as a service dog for Kristie Baker. Baker didn't want to give him up, but she knew he would have to play second fiddle to a new service dog. Her friend Jeannie Curtin adopted Cullen, and now he enjoys a second career as a therapy dog who makes weekly visits to a children's hospital.

"My Old Dog" is more than sweet stories and photos. It shares information about rescue groups that specialize in seniors, such as the Grey Muzzle Organization, Old Dog Haven and Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary. It discusses the most common health problems seen in older dogs -- bladder stones and dental disease -- both of which are treatable, as well as ways people can help oldsters, even if they're not in a position to adopt. And it explores the phenomenon of pet-friendly senior communities and assisted living and nursing facilities, which are often good landing spots for senior dogs.

Coffey is passionate about the benefits of adopting an older dog -- "They're calm, mellow, sweet, loveable, and they're usually already house trained" -- but she also recognizes that senior adoptions can come with a tinge of sadness because people can expect fewer years with the dog (and let's not leave out cats).

"We always want our dogs to live longer," she says. "But when you go out of your way to help an older dog who has run out of options, you get so much in return: affection, gratitude, unconditional love and so many happy memories."

Q&A

Don't bug out if

your cat eats insects

Q: My cat likes to catch and eat bugs. Can they make her sick? -- via Facebook

A: Cats do love to stalk bugs. Anything that flies, hops or crawls -- flies, moths, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, spiders -- catches their attention and activates their hunting instincts. According to feline nutrition expert Deborah Greco, DVM, insects make up a third of the diet of small wildcats and are popular with domestic cats as well.

We can see how you might be concerned, though. Bugs are popular snack items in some cultures, but for many of us, it's hard to overcome the ick factor. As far as whether bugs can make your cat sick, the answer is: It depends.

In most cases, crunching a few bugs isn't going to do your cat any harm. Think of them as the feline equivalent of potato chips. As always, however, there can be exceptions.

Stink bugs, for instance, may exude a nasty-tasting liquid when bitten. (We know this because humans have reported accidentally biting into them.) It's not necessarily poisonous, but it can cause drooling or vomiting or irritate your cat's digestive tract.

If spiders such as black widows or brown recluses bite back, their venom can cause serious illness or death. Bees or wasps may sting the mouth. Seemingly harmless ladybugs (Asian lady beetles) can cause chemical burns in a pet's mouth or digestive tract. Lightning bugs, also known as fireflies, produce chemicals that give them a bitter taste and may cause your cat digestive upset. Certain caterpillars are highly toxic or are protected by painful spines or stinging hairs. As with plants, the most colorful insects are most likely to be toxic.

Bugs can carry parasites. Cats can get stomach worms from eating beetles, cockroaches and crickets. That's one good reason to give your cat a parasite preventive year-round. And if bugs have been poisoned by insecticides and are then eaten in large numbers by your cat, he could become sick.

Otherwise, just think of insects as an additional source of protein for your little carnivore. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Chihuahua named

top hero dog

-- A one-eyed Chihuahua named Harley, grizzled from age, was named American Hero Dog on national television last week. The award, given by the American Humane Association, honored the 14-year-old dog for his journey of physical and emotional healing after spending the first 10 years of his life in a small cage at a puppy mill, with health problems including a diseased heart, rotten teeth, a fused spine, a broken tail and deformed legs. After adopting him, Rudi and Dan Taylor of Berthoud, Colorado, were inspired to start a campaign called "Harley to the Rescue." The funds raised have saved and provided medical care for more than 500 puppy-mill dogs over the past two years. Harley goes on rescue missions, helping to calm sad, scared dogs, and makes public appearances to educate people about puppy mills.

-- The love of a cat can save a life. A man who was threatening to jump from the third-story ledge of a building in San Francisco reconsidered after a relative brought his cat, Trip, to the scene. We don't know what the orange-and-white tabby said to him, but the situation ended with the man being talked off the ledge and taken into custody. Relatives are caring for Trip. San Francisco Police Department spokeswoman Grace Gatpandan tweeted, "Never underestimate the power of an owner's love for their pet #kitten."

-- New pain management guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners note that some alternative therapies should now be considered "mainstream options." They include therapeutic laser, weight management, exercise and acupuncture. Released earlier this year, the guidelines also added a section on feline degenerative joint disease, recognizing increased awareness of the painful condition in cats. Pain relief improves recovery time from illness, injury or surgery and enhances quality of life. Learn more at catvets.com/guidelines. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

CAPTIONS AND CREDITS

Caption 01: A book about secondhand seniors highlights the special love an old dog can give -- and receive. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Actor George Clooney fell hard for an aging cocker spaniel with a snack habit. Position: Main Story

Caption 03: American Hero Dogs are chosen through a combination of votes by the public and votes by a panel of animal advocates and celebrity judges. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1

A visit to a pet cemetery is a glimpse of the timelessness of the human-animal bond

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Overlooking the river Seine on the outskirts of Paris is a green place of remembrance. Cats wander through, and people stroll quietly, occasionally stopping to read short stories etched in stone. It is the Cimetiere des Chiens, the world's first public pet cemetery, and it is proof positive that pets have an afterlife.

Dogs, cats, birds, bunnies and even a horse or two have been laid to rest here since the peaceful park's founding in 1899. Inscriptions on headstones bear silent witness to human grief at the loss of beloved pets:

Irreplaceable.

Ici repose Love (here lies love).

Tout notre amour (all our love).

You might be surprised to learn that famed canine star of the silver screen Rin Tin Tin is buried here. He was born in France, rescued as a 5-day-old puppy by a doughboy from a World War I battlefield and taken to America. After his death, his remains were returned to his homeland. Fans leave treats on his headstone.

Also memorialized (although they died before the cemetery was founded) are Moustache, the mascot of Napoleon's Grande Armee, and Barry, a Saint Bernard renowned for saving 40 lives and dying in an attempt to save a 41st person.

Not all of the pets buried here are famous or heroic. They are something even better: beloved companions of people from all walks of life. Here lie Rosy and Ulysse; Riki-Tiki, born in Moscow July 4, 1918, died in Paris Nov. 6, 1928; a pair of gray Persian cats named Pacha and Darius; Cavalier King Charles spaniels Rimbaud and Sissi; and dogs Rex, Caramel, Mick, Lisette and Belgrano. Aristocratic pets include Drac (1941-1953), beloved dog of Princess Elisabeth of Romania; Sully, who belonged to the Comte and Comtesse Alexandre Dumas; Marquise and Tony, the dogs of Princess Lobanov.

Among the statuary chipped with age, lettering faded almost beyond reading, are more recent monuments to pets now passed: Blacky, 1973-1991; Custom Built of Tintagel Winds (Tommy), a black Labrador retriever, 1987-2000; and Smicky, a Yorkie, 1997-2010. Fresh flowers and live plants decorate some of the sites, placed by visiting owners (pets may still be buried there) and the cemetery's caretakers.

Cimetiere des Chiens isn't just for animals who have passed away. Feral cats nap on headstones or stalk along the paths. Inside a small building with a cat door they can find shelter and food, and water flows from a fountain. A crypt for a cat named Mimi has three openings (each in the shape of a cat), no doubt so the cat's ghost can swoop in and out without requiring someone to open a door for her. The cats who live in the cemetery find the interior of Mimi's crypt a nice resting place as well.

People have buried pets with ritual and regret for millennia. Hunter-gatherer societies in eastern Siberia buried dogs with tokens of affection or in ways that suggested a special bond with them, according to a study published in 2013 in PLOS ONE:

"One dog skeleton was laid to rest in a sleeping position; others were buried with small ornaments or implements, some resembling toys. One man was buried with two dogs laid on either side of him, while another dog was placed in his grave wearing a necklace fashioned from four deer's teeth."

As I walked through the cemetery last September, it made me a little sad to think that for long-gone pets, no one is left who remembers them. But as long as visitors come here, their memories live on.

Q&A

Costumes for pets:

Yea or nay?

Q: I want to get a dinosaur costume for our dog for Halloween, but my boyfriend thinks he (the dog) will be embarrassed and it would be cruel to make him wear it. I think it would be cute and that he would love all the attention he would get (he loves people). -- via Facebook

A: People have strong opinions on everything pet-related, so it's not surprising that they are sharply divided when it comes to pets wearing clothes or costumes. We happen to fall into the "it can be fun" category. After all, our dogs and cats usually love doing things that involve being with us and being the center of our attention. That said, we have some tips to help make dressing up for Halloween a treat, not a trick, for your pet.

-- Be sensitive to his personality. It's true that some pets would rather hide under the bed than wear a costume, especially in public. If your pet is shy, old or excessively dignified, limit costume capers to a spooky bandana and put your dress-up desires into your own costume.

-- Comfort is a must. Never choose anything that restricts your pet's movement, sight or hearing or that seems to chafe against his skin or fur. If he spends all his time trying to get it off, that's a good clue that he's not enjoying wearing it. It's also a good idea to avoid any costumes with buttons, bows or other parts that your pet could chew off and swallow.

-- Be street-safe. If you're planning on taking him trick-or-treating, his costume (and yours) should be visible in the dark. If it's not, fancy up his costume with a collar and leash that blink or glow in the dark.

-- Be smart. Try the costume on your pet well in advance. You don't want to find out on Halloween that your pug refuses to go out dressed as a ladybug. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

New bill helps

Military dogs get home

-- Military working dogs not only save the lives of 150 to 200 servicemembers each year by detecting roadside bombs and other dangers, they also can help veterans deal with the effects of post-traumatic stress. Until recently, though, they faced an uncertain future after retirement, with no guarantee that they would be brought back to the U.S. or reunited with their handlers. The good news is that Congress passed the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a mandate for the dogs to be brought back to the United States after their retirement and gives handlers first right of adoption.

-- Janet Wilhelm was storing dog food in a bin in her garage when she slipped and fell, landing on her left hip and fracturing her pelvis in five places. The McKinney, Texas, woman couldn't move, and her husband wasn't at home. But Mabel, the black Labrador retriever the Wilhelms adopted three years ago, was on the job. Wilhelm grabbed Mabel's collar, and the dog began backing up, inching Wilhelm toward the house, a 20-foot journey that took an hour and a half. Wilhelm finally was able to reach a phone and call for help. Like the bumper sticker says, "Who rescued whom?"

-- A grassroots organization called Collide in New York City has a special purpose: It serves homeless people with pets. The volunteers help people and pets living on the streets with food, veterinary care and licensing. The organization's goal is to improve quality of life for both people and animals. A volunteer veterinarian provides checkups, vaccinations and medication if needed. Working with the Humane Society of NYC, Collide also offers access to a spay/neuter clinic for pets. During inclement weather, the organization offers emergency boarding services for pets so their people can seek shelter where animals might not be permitted. For information about helping, see collidenyc.org. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

CAPTIONS AND CREDITS

Caption 01: Pet cemeteries serve the living and the dead. A black cat makes his home in a Paris pet cemetery. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: A New York organization helps homeless people care for their pets. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 3

How to help physically challenged pets adjust and thrive

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Savanna was born to run. The retired racing greyhound loved going on daily walks ... until the day she fell over for no apparent reason. A veterinary exam, X-rays and an MRI brought home the awful truth: Savanna had osteosarcoma, or bone cancer. The recommended treatment was amputation of her right hind leg and chemotherapy.

Savanna was my dog, and choosing amputation for a 10 1/2-year-old former racer was one of the most difficult decisions my husband and I ever made.

Have you ever faced the decision to have a pet's limb amputated or eye removed, or wondered whether it was the right thing to keep a pet alive who had suffered a paralyzing injury? Pet owners who have faced these quandaries, myself included, are often surprised and delighted at how well their animals adjust to their new physical circumstances. Young or old, they usually adapt remarkably well to getting around on three legs, life without sight or rolling on wheels.

While people may flinch at the thought of amputation or enucleation (eye removal), that's because we compare it to how we would feel about losing a limb or an eye. Our pets, fortunately, don't have any preconceived notions about their ability to get around on fewer than four legs or how they'll manage without one or both eyes. They adapt rapidly, shifting their center of gravity, making greater use of their senses of smell and hearing (not to mention those sensitive whiskers) and just generally getting on with life.

You can, however, take steps to help your pet recover and learn how to get around. The key is to see him not as damaged goods, but as a regular dog or cat who simply needs a little help from his friends.

-- Amputation. Young dogs or cats may be up and around the same day or the next day following surgery, but older animals, such as my Savanna, may have a longer recovery time. Talk to your veterinarian about the best medications for pain relief. He'll recover more quickly if he's not hurting. For a large dog, get a body harness with a handle that will allow you to help him stand up and move around until he gets his groove back. If you have uncarpeted floors, lay down nonskid rugs for ease of walking. Keep his weight down to avoid putting stress on his joints. Visit tripawds.com for more information.

-- Blindness. The main factor in adjustment is how quickly vision is lost. A pet who loses vision slowly or at a very early age generally copes well, but one who loses vision rapidly or later in life may take two or three weeks to adjust. Walk blind dogs on leash and talk to them as you go so they always know where you are. Keep to the same route so they can use their sense of smell to recognize where they are. At home, feed blind pets in the same place every day. If they get disoriented, take them to the food bowl. It's a landmark that can help them regain their orientation.

-- Paralysis. When a dog becomes paralyzed, consider whether the condition is painful and whether the pain can be relieved. If the dog is not in pain, he can likely adapt well to life on wheels. Make household changes such as blocking stairs so he doesn't tumble down them as he's racing around. You may need to learn how to express his bladder so he is at less risk for urinary tract infections.

Confidence is probably the common denominator in any animal's ability to live a normal life with a disability. Veterinarian Robin Downing fondly recalls Frankie, a pug-mix she adopted who had been paralyzed after breaking his back. She anticipated that he would need several weeks to adapt to his wheelchair. "We put him in the chair the very first time, and he wouldn't let me get him out of it," she says.

Q&A

Potty problems can

have several causes

Q: My silky terrier will use the outdoors to potty unless she gets upset with me, like when I go out of town or have to run a lot of errands during the day; then she will urinate in the house. What can I do about that? -- via email

A: We talked to silky expert Sandy Mesmer, and she says the breed can be difficult to housetrain. They are creatures of habit, so if you "let" them mark a spot in the house, they will almost always want to go back there.

The first thing you need to do is to take your dog to the veterinarian to make sure there is no physical reason for the peeing, because silkys can be susceptible to bladder stones. If she gets a clean bill of health, it's time to go back to potty training 101. To do this, maintain a strict potty schedule, just as you would with a puppy. Go outside with her to make sure she actually urinates. If she doesn't perform, put her in her crate for half an hour and then try again.

Here are some additional suggestions.

-- Film your dog while you're gone to see if she is suffering from separation anxiety. Pacing, whining, drooling, stress panting and, yes, peeing in the house are signs that she is distressed or depressed during your absence.

-- If the problem is anxiety-related, play calming music, use calming scents such as lavender or dog-appeasing pheromones, and make sure she has brainteasers such as food puzzles to keep her occupied while you're gone.

-- Have a pet sitter or dog walker take her out. They can help ensure that she potties outdoors as well as ease her loneliness.

-- If she's friendly with other dogs, consider leaving her at a doggy daycare when you're not at home. -- Mikkel Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Dog treated for

rare disease

-- Darwin the dog developed an ulcer near his tail that was first diagnosed as a bacterial infection and treated with antibiotics. When it got worse, his owner, Florida resident Efram Goldberg, did some research and became concerned that Darwin might have a rare, life-threatening tropical disease called pythiosis. He took Darwin to the University of Florida's Small Animal Hospital emergency and critical care service. After performing several biopsies, the veterinarians confirmed his suspicion. Veterinary surgeon J. Brad Case amputated Darwin's tail and removed the ulcer on his hip. Goldberg is passionate now about raising awareness about the disease among pet owners and veterinarians. "Most veterinarians see at most one case of pythiosis in their career," says UF clinical assistant professor Justin Shmalberg, DVM.

-- We knew we liked singer-songwriter Emmylou Harris, and it's not just because of her amazing pipes. Harris started a dog rescue called Bonaparte's Retreat, in honor of her late dog, who spent 10 years on the road with her. The nonprofit organization takes in dogs from Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control who are scheduled to be euthanized and finds homes for them. Find out more this month on the "Shelter Me: Partners for Life" documentary series airing on PBS.

-- You've heard of chick lit and crime lit, and now there's kitty lit. No, not litter -- literature. Students at Northwest School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children in Shoreline, Washington, practice reading aloud at the Seattle Humane animal shelter in Bellevue. Their audience? Shelter cats. The reading program, called Kitty Literature, gives the children, who range in age from 5 to 10 years, an opportunity to practice their speech to appreciative listeners. The kids also get a chance to play with the cats, which is good socialization and can help them become more adoptable. Now that's a win-win! -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

CAPTIONS AND CREDITS

Caption 01: Whether they lose a front or rear leg, animals can adapt well to life as a "tri-pawd." Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Darwin's case helped University of Florida veterinarians learn more about an unusual disease. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1