I think it's pretty safe to say that none of you would throw your parents or grandparents out of the house just because they get a little older, right? If I'm wrong, then you have some serious issues you need to sort out personally. However, if you think that sounds like a terrible thing to do, then why do some people think it's okay to do with animals?

Animals are family members. If you are thinking about adopting and don't have this mindset, then you need to think again, or maybe just get a fish. When you welcome a dog, a cat, or any animal into your home, they become whatever you need them to be; a best friend, a companion, a comfort zone, a (furry) shoulder to cry on and or all of the above. Not only are you gaining all of these things in this animal, but they are gaining you and that is ALL they want and will ever want of you. Humans are always going to want something more whereas pets never ask for anything other than to be loved unconditionally…and of course, maybe a few treats here and there.

Dogs and cats don't live as long as we do therefore we are their entire lives. Why do some people think we only have to promise happiness to half (or less) of theirs? I truly believe the biggest problem people have with pets as they get older is that their "cute" and "baby" phases are gone. Yes, puppies, kittens, and all baby animals are adorable and can entice people to adopt them in the first place. For those of you who didn't realize that animals change just like humans do, newsflash, of course, they do. I'm sure you were much more "adoptable" as a child as well, but did your parents throw you out because you stopped being cute? No…because that’s illegal.

It took me years of asking to get my first dog. She was a ball of energy when we first brought her home; like a windup toy that never actually wound down. As she got older, she didn't want to play as much, she wasn't as fast, and she started to get aging bumps and grey hair which emphasized that her baby phase was officially gone. Those changes didn’t make my family become bored of her and want a puppy again, they just made us love her more. Those bumps and grey hair showed just how long she had been with our family and how long we had the joy of sharing our lives and making memories with her. Twelve years with our dog wasn't even close to long enough, so how can people get rid of one after a few months or even a few years?

I applaud all of the people I see and hear about that have adopted older animals from shelters. These animals have so much and maybe even more love to give because many of them have known love already. Even though it may not have worked out for them the first time, that doesn’t mean they can't have a second chance. A non-profit organization I have been following for years is called Susie's Senior Dogs who aims to promote the adoption of older dogs. They post pictures and information about senior dogs who are more than willing and waiting for that second chance at a forever home. I can't wait for the day when I can go to a shelter and ask for the animal that has been there the longest. So if you're like me and are at that point, go ahead and check out this organization here.

If you adopt an animal, you promise them a lifetime of love, but not your lifetime, THEIRS. A lifetime that isn't even half of what ours is. A lifetime where they spend half of it waiting for us to come home. A lifetime that has more unconditional love in it than we, as humans, could ever comprehend. Grey hair and changes are proof of a long life for both people and animals. If animals had the choice, they'd be there for all of yours; make sure you are there for all of theirs.