I'm waiting here in foster care
for you to come and see
The one the others have passed by -
Please stop and look at me!

I'm not alone here in my quest
to find myself a place
Where someone will have love for me
and softly stroke my face.

We're not so young in years they say,
although we're young at heart
If you'll take a chance with us -
please know we'll do our part.

Our faces have a bit of white,
our legs a slower gait
Our hearts so full of love to give -
but still we sit and wait.

A younger dog is what folks want,
one who romps and plays
They won't take time to look at us -
just think we're old and gray.

Little do they know the things
we have to offer them
Manners learned and quiet souls -
good dogs all we've been.

There are those here too
whose souls were damaged and in pain
Before they came to this safe place
and learned to trust again.

When new folks come and look at them,
they seem withdrawn and shy.
Time is all they need to learn
that new bonds they can tie.

Patience, love and gentle hands
is all they ask of you
In exchange - their hearts they give you
in their lives so new.

We may not be the perfect dogs
in everybody's eye -
Too big, too small, too brown,
too blue, too black, too old, too shy.

But, unless you sit and take the time
and see all that we can be
You'll miss the best that is right here -
Please stop - HEY - Look at ME!

Ten Good Reasons to Adopt an "Older" Dog

1. Older dogs are housetrained.
2. Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won't chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.
3. Older dogs can focus better because they're mellower. Therefore, they learn more quickly than puppies.
4.Older dogs have learned what "no" means. If they haven't learned it, they don't get to be "older" dogs.
5.Older dogs settle in more easily, because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.
6. Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they've been given.
7. What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed at first.
8. Older dogs are instant companions -- ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do.
9. Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don't make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.
10. Older dogs let you get a good night's sleep because they're accustomed to human schedules and don't need nighttime feedings, comforting, or bathroom breaks.