Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1233255
28 maconmagazine.com | APRIL/MAY 2020 I can't believe I'm already 11 years old! I recently celebrated my birthday with a fantastic party at the Georgia Industrial Children's Home surrounded by my favorite people. e reality is, I'm getting older. But I've had the most fabulous life filled with love and purpose. Even though I'm older, I still have more work to do to help animals. I think my future is important and I have much more love to share. at's how I feel about senior homeless dogs and cats longing for someone to notice them in shelters. ey're hoping prospective families will see kindness and gentleness in their eyes before their time in the shelter runs out. You see, I spent most of my life working in a shelter where space was limited and the numbers of incoming pets were infinite, as is the case in shelters everywhere. e youngest, cutest, fluffiest ones were always adopted first. Many times, I would see beautiful older dogs and cats, typically surrendered by their families trading them in for puppies or kittens. ey were perplexed as to why they were in the shelter after devoting years of loyalty and love to the only family they've known. ey're probably wondering what they did to warrant being abandoned in a strange, unfamiliar place. Honestly, they're sitting in a frightening environment waiting for their family to come back for them. But sometimes the appeal of an adorable, fluffy puppy or kitten eclipses years of faithfulness, protection and love. I was young, energetic and playful once, as were all older pets waiting in shelters right now. e difference is I have a family who appreciates and treasures me at this stage of my life and would never surrender me – no matter what. So, as I continue to promote animals of all ages, I'm especially focused on helping mature pets find families who value the joy and unconditional love they bring. e benefits of an older pet are numerous – most of them are calm, relaxed and social. AC PUP e beauty of senior pets Also, there is no mystery as to what size they will be or how much they will weigh – like there is with a puppy or kitten. And let's talk about that house-training thing. Most senior pets are already well trained to either ask for the door or visit the litterbox. I'll bet any puppy parent would agree that is a huge advantage. While we're comparing seniors with their younger counterparts, ask any puppy or kitten parent about playful behavior that is sometimes damaging to property. How many youngsters chewed window sills, ravaged yards or slashed curtains? Senior pets are so over that destructive stage. It takes very little to care for an elderly pet, but the dividends we pay back are enormous. We simply offer ourselves up for love and quiet companionship with eternal gratitude. Won't you help me save them by encouraging others interested in adopting to please consider a seasoned soul from the local shelter? A senior somewhere will thank you. – PATTI JONES LET US HELP PLAN FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT WITH OUR TRAINED STAFF READY TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR GUESTS! CELEBRATE THE SPRING SEASON WITH ALL OF THE OUR LATEST SELECTIONS OF GREAT SPIRITS, WINE AND CRAFT BEERS! 10:00AM-9:00PM | MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY 10:00AM-10:00PM | FRIDAY AND SATURDAY 5554 FORSYTH ROAD (NEXT TO JENEANE'S) • (478)477-3536 • Panic Jones at age 13