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Older man teaches younger dog new tricks

By Amy Dickinson, Tribune Content Agency on

Dear Amy: I am a 74-year-old retired man. Over the course of my lifetime, I have had five or six dogs.

I live alone and my last dog died about a year and a half ago.

I've debated getting another dog for several months.

I preferred a dog that was a tad older, however, these dogs are hard to come by.

So after reading an article saying that it's a great idea for a senior person to get a pet, I broke down and purchased a five-month-old golden retriever puppy.

"Daisy" is a great dog. She has changed my life by making me more responsible. I am getting up earlier (I found myself getting very lazy), and I'm walking her six to seven times daily, feeding her, playing with her, etc.

 

What has taken me aback are the number of people who have said, "You do realize that this dog may outlive you?"

Yes, I knew that this was a possibility going in, but my lady friend is eight years younger than I and would take Daisy in a heartbeat.

My son is also a dog lover and has said that he would gladly take her.

I guess what shocks me is the negativity so many of my acquaintances have shown since I brought Daisy into my home.

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