Skip to Content

Is there a home for Dora?

Senior black lab for adoption – Dora!

Senior black lab for adoption FargoIt’s hard not to feel sorry for an older dog like Dora, but I don’t feel sorry for her. I don’t think she feels sorry for herself, and I don’t think she wants anyone to feel sorry for her.

I do wonder about her, though. She always has me thinking.

Does she think of her past family, whoever they were? Probably not.

Does she accept me as her new family? She seems to.

Does she think this is her home now? To her, is it like she’s lived here her whole life?

What does she dream of when she sleeps so soundly, gently moving all four paws?

And the most difficult question, how do I know when it’s her time?

If she were Ace, would I be treating her any differently?

How much pain is she in? I don’t know, because she can’t tell me.

Is she happy? She seems happy.

Will she let me know when she’s ready to go? I don’t expect that from her. To me, that’s a way of avoiding a difficult decision. Dogs depend on us to make those choices.

Will someone adopt her? Who is, and where is, that person?

Should I adopt her?

Can I realistically afford the added costs and burdens of an older dog? No, not really.

If Dora and I had one day together, one last day, what would she like to do?

What did she love to do in her younger days, in her prime?

I imagine she was a typical lab who loved to run and chase sticks and swim. She does love a good strip of bacon, too, and to roll around on her back – grabbing and nipping. This is her version of “play wrestling.”

What does she want from me?

Just love, I guess. Acceptance. A consistent routine. My time.

Senior black lab for adoption in Fargo ND

Edit: Dora has been adopted!

Jackie

Tuesday 7th of August 2012

She's so cute and she's probably happy as long as she has love and a good home. Does she play with your younger dog? My almost 11 year old Lab plays for very short spurts with my 6 year old Golden/Aussie mix, she still acts like a young dog in some ways but has the body of an old dog. Massage is good -- she has arthritis in her knees and massaging her fow even just a few minutes makes her less stiff and more mobile.

Murray's Mouth

Friday 3rd of August 2012

Aw, what a great dog! I send her positive, hopeful thoughts of a loving forever family :)

Lindsay Stordahl

Tuesday 7th of August 2012

Dora says thank you!

Flea

Friday 3rd of August 2012

Dora is a real beauty. Any idea how old she really is? There's a lot of living in that face. I wish I lived close. I can't adopt at the moment, but it would be nice to play.

Lindsay Stordahl

Tuesday 7th of August 2012

She is at least 12, just guessing.

Fetching! | The Daily Dog Tag

Friday 3rd of August 2012

[...] Is there a home for Dora? [...]

shanendoah@life by pets

Thursday 2nd of August 2012

I have the same thoughts about the Howie dog. I just do my best to give him time, attention, and love, and we'll go from there.

Lindsay Stordahl

Tuesday 7th of August 2012

Aww, Howie is such a good boy!