Such a quick kinship, like Rooks had with Nero, is a dream scenario for organizations dedicated to improving the lives of senior dogs, who are often overlooked in the adoption process in favor of younger pets. According to statistics from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Adoption Center, only 25 percent of senior dogs in shelters are adopted, compared to 60 percent of younger canines. When the senior dogs remain unadopted, they face the risk of being euthanized at overcrowded kill shelters.

So finding a good home for the animal, says Kristen Peralta, founder of the senior-pet-focused Vintage Pet Rescue in Foster, Rhode Island, is crucial.

“We play matchmaker,” says Peralta, whose facility welcomed 262 senior dogs in 2024.

Peralta estimates between 85 and 90 percent of the adopters at Vintage Pet Rescue are at least 50 years old.

Senior animals are a good match for older humans because they generally have less energy than puppies and don’t require much potty training, says Rena Lafaille, director of administration at the ASPCA. “A senior pet may be more suitable to your lifestyle, as they often don’t require constant monitoring and training, and are more likely to settle into a home quicker because they have established their habits already,” she notes.

An older person adopting a dog can lead to a structured and healthy lifestyle for both, says Rachel Hershenberg, M.D., an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University who counsels and treats older individuals with anxiety at the Fuqua Center for Late-Life Depression.

“One of the things I love about pet ownership for my [older] patients is it gets them out of bed in the morning,” says Hershenberg, who is the author of Activating Happiness, a book offering strategies for battling depression. “[Among] our more vulnerable patients who are feeling down and depressed, there’s usually a lack of structure in their days.”

A 2023 report from the U.S. surgeon general found that the highest rates of social isolation were among older adults. And while the highest rates of loneliness were among younger demographics, the combination of loneliness and social isolation can be especially detrimental to older adults, including a higher risk for developing dementia, depression and other health problems, increased hospitalizations and premature mortality.

“I was lonely,” says Rooks, whose husband passed away in 2017 and whose children live out of state. “We have the need to take care of something or that somebody needs us.”

While Rooks stays socially active by dancing every Thursday, she says having Nero at home adds a sense of companionship.

Her comments fall in line with a 2024 American Psychiatric Association survey that found numerous benefits in pet ownership, including that a pet can:

• Provide a calming presence
• Help reduce stress and anxiety
• Encourage physical activity
• Add structure to a schedule
• Increase social connections with others

Having a senior dog can be life-changing, says Alice Mayn, founder and executive director of Lily’s Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary in Petaluma, California. A lifelong animal caregiver, Mayn was planning to focus on rescue work upon retirement. Then she adopted Lily, a 12-year-old golden retriever, from the Sonoma County Animal Shelter in 2007.

For the next four months, Mayn and Lily would experience the ups and downs of old age. The dog overcame a case of bloat — a potentially life-threatening condition for dogs — only to succumb to a blood disorder. Despite the outcome, Mayn had a new purpose in life: her sanctuary.

“Lily had a plan for me,” says Mayn, 79, who now has three senior dogs: a golden retriever named Angie, and two German shepherds, Cooper and Belle.

Some would-be adopters are wary that senior dogs are more susceptible to health conditions that require expensive care, and fear they may outlive the animal, says Peralta, adding that it can be hard to predict how long an animal will live after it’s adopted. Hershenberg also cautions that older individuals may take the loss of a pet especially hard because the animal could be their lone companion.

Denise Fleck, 64, executive director of the Grey Muzzle Organization, acknowledges that veterinary bills to treat aging animals can be challenging to pay.

“In general, senior dogs are more likely to face age-related health issues, just like people — arthritis, dental disease, hearing or vision loss, and sometimes chronic conditions like kidney disease or heart issues can emerge with age,” says Fleck. “These can require ongoing medical care, medications or specialized diets, which may increase the cost of care. That said … dogs age different depending on breed, size, genetics and prior care. Some 10-year-old dogs are playful and in great health, while others may show signs of aging earlier.”

To ensure a dog’s high quality of life during its golden years, Fleck recommends keeping up with vet appointments, feeding them healthy food and remaining diligent about dental hygiene. Purchasing insurance or setting aside funds every month can help, and Fleck says that many rescue groups and nonprofit organizations provide financial assistance for older animal care.

For its part, Fleck’s Grey Muzzle Organization donates funds and resources to animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries and other like-minded organizations that assist senior dogs. 

Back in Florida with Nero, Rooks was certainly not deterred by the potential pitfalls of adopting a senior dog. In many ways, she epitomizes the double-sided nature of the owner-dog relationship.

“I wanted to feel needed,” she says. “He needs me, and I need him.”

Matt Swenson is a freelance writer in Atlanta. When he is not chasing down interviews or filing articles, he is often taking his senior foster dog on hiking adventures.