He's really sweet. A nice old guy. We try to adopt older dogs because everyone seems to want puppies. We're homebodies and we like to laze about and watch TV or read, so an older dog fits our lifestyle.

Our first adoptee was a toy poodle our vet described as "older than dirt." She was very spunky. We called her Peanut, because she was a cute little peanut. She was about at the end of her lifespan, but we figured living with us was better than living in a cage in the cat room at the SPCA. They put her in the cat room because she was so small.

We gave her a very good last year and showered her with lots of love. My mom said she probably never had it so good. Peanut had been neglected and lost most of her teeth. But she gained a pound, topping out at seven. Her age caught up with her in the beginning of last summer and she became very ill.

We had her put down, paid for a private cremation, and brought her remains home. We saved her collar and the sweatshirt we bought for her, which she wore even in the summer because she was so tiny she shivered without it.

Tough on us, but worth it. Arnie is worth it, too. Older dogs seem more appreciative, somehow.

-- Craig

Especially when they know how bad it can get. A little kindness goes a long way.

Indeed it does. Dogs are usually a bit repressed for the first month or so. They're not sure they are there to stay.

When they realize they are "home" for good, you know it, because their inner selves emerge as if from hibernation. They become playful and you can see they're happy. They have their own charms and foibles -- much like us.

-- Craig