What Are the Benefits of Owning a Dog After 60?

As many of us have learned the hard way, life after 60 can be a bit lonely. This is especially true if, like me, you have made the choice to live by yourself. One the one hand, you appreciate the absolute freedom that comes from “flying solo.” On the other hand, you sometimes miss having living things in your life to take care of. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that so many women in our community have decided to get a dog.

There is something wonderful about experiencing the world through the eyes of a creature that sees every experience as new and exciting.

When my own dog died a few year ago, I decided not to replace her. Watching her pass away nearly broke my heart. In addition, I was worried about the possibility that I might outlive any pet that I decided to bring into my life.

Now, as I watch the dog owners in my neighborhood, I’m not so sure. As our contributor, Perley-Ann, pointed out in a recent article, pets can help us to stay healthy, happy and socially connected.

This is certainly true for the people over 60 in my neighborhood. Every morning, as I walk by the lake, I watch the older men and women playing with their dogs. Ok, some of them look like they probably still need their first cup of coffee. But, at least they are out of the house and enjoying the fresh air!

If you are a dog owner, I’d love to hear what your little friend means to you. Do you, on the whole, feel like having a dog makes your life better? If so, how? I know that there are many women in our community who are on the fence about getting a new dog. Your opinion would mean a lot to them!

Let’s get a conversation started about this. Please take a few minutes to join the conversation in the comments section below.

Do you have a dog? What is his or her name and what does she mean to you? What would you say to the other women in our community about whether getting a dog after 60 is a good idea?