People often overlook senior dogs when they’re looking for a new companion. In fact, a PetFinder survey found that senior pets wait four times longer for a home than their spryer counterparts. But every person who passes on a senior dog is missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
In honor of Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month, here are 17 things only senior dog parents understand.
1. More love than you can ever imagine.
![Image via Susie's Senior Dogs](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/SusieSenior2.jpg)
![Image via Susie's Senior Dogs](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/SusieSenior2.jpg)
Puppy ruv is one thing, but nothing compares to the endless amounts of love your senior dog gives.
2. A good night’s sleep.
![Image via @bordernerd](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sleep2.jpg)
![Image via @bordernerd](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sleep2.jpg)
There’s no howling in the middle of the night to play, eat, or go potty. Your dog loves and values sleep as much as you do.
3. A full underwear drawer.
![Image via Dogshaming](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/dogshaming-671x501.jpg)
![Image via Dogshaming](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/dogshaming-671x501.jpg)
You won’t have to deal with dog shaming. At least, not for this reason. In their golden years, a canine is past the teething and chewing phases.
4. Dogs are like a fine wine.
![Image via Marnie the Dog](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/marniedog.jpg)
![Image via Marnie the Dog](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/marniedog.jpg)
They get better with age.
5. Living a zen lifestyle.
Have you ever tried doing yoga with a young, energetic dog? It looks like this.
6. Senior dog snuggles.
![Photo via @smilingcricket](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/cricket.jpg)
![Photo via @smilingcricket](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/cricket.jpg)
Looking for the best cuddle buddy in the world? These old ‘n faithfuls won’t let you down.
7. Running out of series to watch on Netflix.
![Image via Susie's Senior Dogs](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/susiesenior.jpg)
![Image via Susie's Senior Dogs](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/susiesenior.jpg)
There’s something about those snuggles that make you never want to leave the couch, so you’ll go through “Barks and Rec” seven times. Still, it’s nice to have someone around who won’t judge you when you just feel like staying in on a Saturday night.
8. Your dog is the cutest.
![Image via @chloekardoggian](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/chloe.jpg)
![Image via @chloekardoggian](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/chloe.jpg)
Looks don’t matta. But if they did? Cute pup contest, senior pooches in first place.
9. No. Potty. Training.
![Image via @toastmeetsworld](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/toast.jpg)
![Image via @toastmeetsworld](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/toast.jpg)
Many senior dogs are often already housetrained, but even if they aren’t, they have the mental capacity to pick it up quicker than a puppy necessarily does.
10. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks.
![Image via @bordernerd](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/border.jpg)
![Image via @bordernerd](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/border.jpg)
In fact, your dog’s ability to focus makes learning new tricks a breeze.
11. Mega farts.
![Image via @lucyfarted](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/lucy.jpg)
![Image via @lucyfarted](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/lucy.jpg)
Let’s face it. Your dog can clear a room. Or a house.
12. What you see is what you get.
![Image via @downsitplay](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/downsitplay1.jpg)
![Image via @downsitplay](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/downsitplay1.jpg)
When you adopt a senior pooch, you don’t have to play the guessing game to know how big the dog will grow or how its pawsonality will change.
13. Relaxing walks.
![Image via @chloekardoggian](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kardoggian.jpg)
![Image via @chloekardoggian](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kardoggian.jpg)
Do you enjoy long, relaxing evening strolls? Your dog does too. Senior dogs are less likely to pull on the leash or make you chase them down the street.
14. Having the ultimate family dog.
![Image via Susie's Senior Dogs](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/mercy.jpg)
![Image via Susie's Senior Dogs](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/mercy.jpg)
Patience is a virtue, and your older pup has it. This patient and stable temperament allows a golden-years dog to tolerate children and other animals better than younger dogs.
15. Stress relief.
![Image via @toastmeetsworld](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/toastmeetsworld.jpg)
![Image via @toastmeetsworld](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/toastmeetsworld.jpg)
Hard day at the pawfice? Your pup knows exactly how to make you feel better.
16. Doing viral parodies of classic sitcoms like this:
17. Being a hero.
![Image via @marniethedog](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/super.jpg)
![Image via @marniethedog](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/super.jpg)
Adopting a senior dog means saving a life. And you wouldn’t have it any other way.
18. There’s nothing like the bond between a senior pup and its hooman.
![Image via Susie's Senior Dogs](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/susiesenior1.jpg)
![Image via Susie's Senior Dogs](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/susiesenior1.jpg)
Truly.
![BarkBuddyBamBam](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/BarkBuddy-Ads1.jpg)
![BarkBuddyBamBam](https://post.bark.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/BarkBuddy-Ads1.jpg)