Program can help you find the right furry friend

  • By Theresa Goffredo Herald Writer
  • Sunday, July 10, 2011 12:01am
  • Life

You are getting older and maybe looking to fit a little more exercise into your day.

Or perhaps you’re living alone and would like a bit more security. Or maybe you want that special someone to greet you with lots of love when you come home.

And no, you don’t want a spouse. You want a

dog.

Question is: What breed?

A program out there can help take the guessing game out of dog ownership.

“Meet Your Match” is a national program started by the American Society for the Protection and Care of Animals. Many shelters use Meet Your Match, including the Lynnwood PAWS.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

A program such as Meet Your Match might work particularly well for those 50 years and older because a dog can be matched to an owner with physical limitations, special housing situations or other needs that younger pet owners might not face.

“People come in looking for dogs, and we want to make sure people have realistic expectations about what they are getting into,” said Eric Ofsthus, the PAWS senior adoption adviser, who has been matching dogs with humans for 22 years.

It works like this:

PAWS provides you with an adoption survey for a dog or a cat and you provide information ranging from the last time you had a dog, to what level of playfulness you would like in your dog.

Vitality main page

That survey is matched against the evaluations that PAWS has done on the dogs in its shelter.

PAWS bases its evaluations in part on the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match guidelines, which puts dogs in a color code depending on their maintenance level.

Dogs can go into three main categories: internally driven, externally driven and socially driven.

So while a given Lab will have his motivation or drive be the same throughout his life, his color code or maintenance level will change, usually based on age.

For instance, a “couch potato dog” who doesn’t need a lot of exercise is internally motivated. That breed of dog, such as an akita or chow chow, gets a color purple rating.

“If you are 50 and can still go to work, then you might want a dog that is OK for hanging out,” Ofsthus said.

A go-getter dog or an externally driven dog is a working dog, one that likes to chase balls or feels a need to guard the house. They fall into the green color code.

A socially driven dog is happy-go-lucky, just wants to please, a dog such as a Labrador retriever. That dog gets an orange rating.

The biggest mistake to avoid in selecting a breed is basing your choice on looks, Ofsthus said.

“We’ve bred huskies to run a hundred miles in a straight line; we didn’t breed them to take advantage of a relationship with a person, Ofsthus said.

The age of the dog is important.

If a person is in an adult care facility, a 5- or 6- or 7-year-old lab is OK. But you probably shouldn’t bring a 10-month-old lab into that situation, Ofsthus said.

Toy dog breeds also can make good companions if you don’t want to bring a lab or larger dog into a condo or an apartment. Chihuahuas and miniature poodles are fine toy breeds, as are pugs and Boston terriers, Osfthus said.

On the other hand, a sporting dog needs aerobic workouts.

“They are that type that will go for eight hours, drink some water and do it again,” Ofsthus said.

“Recommending a retriever for an older person would depend on whether that person is running a farm and needs an extremely enthusiastic dog.”

Live with a pet

Research has shown that having companions likes dogs or cats can help improve our physical and mental health by lowering our stress levels and blood pressure and reducing depression.

Adopting senior animals comes with additional advantages: They are often gentler, calmer and already trained.

PAWS has a Seniors for Seniors adoption program for older people in the market to increase their household by four feet.

The program places senior cats and dogs — typically more than 7 years of age — with senior citizens who are 60 years of age or older.

The program comes with a reduced adoption rate of $35, according to the PAWS website. PAWS also provides post adoption support, including a follow-up survey and a free behavior help line.

For more information or to arrange a visit to the animal shelter, call 425-787-2500, ext. 850, or go to www.paws.org.

Vitality main page

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Auston James / Village Theatre
“Jersey Boys” plays at Village Theatre in Everett through May 25.
A&E Calendar for May 15

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Kyle Parker paddles his canoe along the Snohomish River next to Langus Riverfront Park on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tip to Tip: Kyle Parker begins his canoe journey across the country

The 24-year-old canoe fanatic started in Neah Bay and is making his way up the Skykomish River.

Photo courtesy of Historic Everett Theatre
The Elvis Challenge takes place Saturday at the Historic Everett Theatre.
A&E Calendar for May 8

Send calendar submissions to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your item is seen by… Continue reading

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e plug-in hybrid compact luxury SUV, shown here in the European version (Provided by Mercedes-Benz).
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e PHEV has a 54-mile range

The plug-in hybrid compact luxury SUV goes a class-leading distance in full electric mode.

RAV4 Hybrid XSE AWD photo provided by Toyota USA Newsroom
2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Provides 39 MPG And 566-Mile Range

Versatile And Functional Compact SUV A Family Pleaser

Photo provided by Subaru U.S. Media Center
Subaru Adds Bronze And Onyx Trims to 2025 Ascent

Three-Row Family SUV Delivers Equal Parts Safety And Comfort

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SUV (Provided by Hyundai).
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid evokes outdoor adventure

Boxy styling leaves lots of room for gear. A refined ride ensures comfort around town.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna minivan in the top-level Platinum grade (Provided by Toyota).
2025 Toyota Sienna maintains reputation for fuel efficiency

Every model in the minivan’s lineup has a hybrid powertrain.

An autumn-themed display at Wagner Jewelers in Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shine bright with Snohomish County’s top jewelry finds

Three dazzling shops where elegance, craft, and sparkle come together.

The 2025 Lexus TX 350 is a three-row luxury SUV. It’s offered in Base, Premium, Luxury, and F Sport Handling grades (Provided by Lexus).
2025 Lexus TX 350 welcomes new F Sport Handling model

Unique exterior highlights, a glass roof and sport-tuned suspension are among the attractions.

Hybrid Touring Photo Provided by Subaru U.S. Media Center
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Increases Fuel Economy And Range

Sixth-Generation Model Receives Complete Refresh

Image from Pexels.com
Top 3 Cannabis Shops You’ll Love in Snohomish County

Looking for quality products and good energy? Let’s discover the top spots.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.