Many of the sad dog tails out there often happen to older dogs. Even though puppies are much more likely to be abused, older dogs have to deal with different problems, primarily abandonment. Puppies are cute and snuggly but once a dog begins to get older and owners actually have to take care of its medical needs, many opt to send it to a shelter where it will likely spend the rest of its life. Worse yet they will drive it out to the country and leave the old dog there. Almost everyone one of the dogs I had growing up out in rural Illinois were left on the roadside due to medical problems.
The people that send dogs to shelters or abandon them out in the country aren't real dogs owners. us real dog owners are in it until the end. However, even us good dog owners are less likely to adopt an older dog at a shelter, sad to say. Many people see puppies as babies and they want that crucial bonding phase, but dogs are not like kids. They bond well at any age.
That being said, there are some perks of adopting an older dog.
