by Dr. G. A. Anderson

Created on: July 29, 2009   Last Updated: April 16, 2010

While on a search for a black male Cocker Spaniel of 3-5 years old, a friend of the family decided to check the local SPCA. Knowing that the dogs there were probably living on borrowed time, it seemed like a good idea to at least inquire on the outside chance there would be a Cocker Spaniel available for adoption. To her great surprise, they did have one available.

The color wasn't what she wanted - he was reddish-blond. The age wasn't quite right - he was 13. All his parts didn't work perfectly - he was deaf and had some arthritis, and he was covered with lumps and bumps and moles. She didn't expect ALL those things, but the one thing she found that she did expect was that he was living on borrowed time at the SPCA. The next day would have been his last. He'd already been there more than 3 days, and the day she visited was a Sunday. Monday would have been his last day on earth.

She never regretted the decision to get an older dog. The life span of Cocker Spaniels can be 12 to 15 years, and he did well at her home. He had all the necessary vet procedures he needed. He had moles on his eyes and had laser surgery to remove those. He was more deaf than she thought. He was a little more protective of his territory than she imagined he would be after a new Cocker Spaniel puppy joined the family. But he also taught the new pup a lot in a "grumpy old grandfatherly" sort of way. The pup seems to be learning a lot from him about the pecking order and protocol of a dog's life.

The benefits? Though he had sketchy records to go by and our friend didn't know how long ago, he had been neutered already. He was housebroken, which was wonderful since now there was a new puppy to housebreak. It took him only a day or two to "get it" at his new home. He was very mannerly - knew to sit while he was waiting for his meals.  He didn't jump up on our friend or on strangers. He loved a warm bath and was fine with grooming. He wasn't cuddly by any means, and he preferred to sit on his own chair if the family was watching TV. He watched the humans more than he watched TV.

He barked very little, except at birds and Amish buggies, but his yard was fenced in all the way around so he and the new pup had plenty of room to run and play. He also walked very well on his leash. Most of these things were taught to him sometime in the past. His willingness to accept other dogs was also a plus, so he must have been trained well. These are things you can't know about an older dog who's being

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