If you give money to the food pantry, are you precluded from giving money to the symphony? No one is required to give only to one type of charity. You have done much to help out your local shelter and the dogs you have adopted. If you want a puppy you should have it. You are allowed to be happy.

They need good homes too. When you get a dog from a reputable breeder, you are insuring that you get a healthy dog and you will know what the dog will look like and how large it will be. I get that! I say "go for it!" You shouldn't feel guilty! It is not easy to find a breed specific rescue either and often times you will find back yard breeder animals that have been rescued and they often have health and psychological issues from poor breeding practices.

Get the puppy from the breeder! Mindshifts post is great! When you get the pup post a pic!

Another option is to get a young dog (3+ yrs) from a shelter or rescue. That way you will already know it's temperment and personality. There are no guarantees with a puppy as to what behavior traits it will have when it's grown but if you've done your research on the specific breed and understand what training may be required, then you'll be a step ahead.

Thank you all for your comments. SaltiDawg, I actually thought of fostering a Greyhound from an organization I know. I would get a Greyhound who has never entered a house and train him and this is something that is very appealing to me. I also have a large fenced in dog yard and love to walk. The only thing is that I'm pretty certain I would be a foster failure and where I live, Greyhound is not the best option as a breed for me and I am wondering what kind of life I could provide the dog. I live in the country in the Maritimes in Canada and winters are long and very cold. I know you can get coats and boots but I wonder how they do in fields and forest when you walk them. It is still on my mind.

My Greyhound loves to walk anywhere. She is 100% devoted to me. She will go with me anywhere in the car - we go to a couple of parks every day. I am 77 years old and have back issues, two artificial knees, etc, etc. She gets maybe a 400 meter walk everyday - due to MY limitations. I would not worry about the cold weather, there are a couple of great suppliers of coats on-line - but as a dog with virtually no body fat and very little fur, she will need a cold weather coat. (I use her winter coat below 15-20 degrees F. A lighter coat below 25 degrees F.

A puppy from a breeder is a great option - I was an (English) Bulldog breeder and exhibitor for decades - enjoying an international reputation for typey females.

I must disagree with the notion that if you get a pup from a "reputable" breeder there is absolutely no way you are assured of a healthy pup... you can be sure they are trying if they ACTUALLY are reputable. (It is always a crap shoot.)

I am 77 years old and my girl is almost nine. In five years I'll be 82... and she 14. I have made provision in my Will to finance her return to my Rescue Group with a generous amount of money should I pass first. Not to be morbid, but I want to have the knowledge that Willow will be taken care of for her entire life - she's MY dog.

SaltiDawg..your Greyhound is a beauty.

She raced at the track in Tampa - 147 Races. Was apparently well treated and she does like to run - actually does not need a lot of exercise. 100% healthy! Loves children, sleeps 18 hours a day, no problem with other critters such as cats and such, loves other dogs, and loves the car. She and I adore each other.

My first question is: Do you really want a puppy?

A positive reason for getting one is that maybe now you are retired and have the time to devote to a puppy - they require a lot of care and attention, just like human babies. So if you are home all day anyway, that could be good.

The negatives are that puppies grow quickly into young energetic hyperactive ill-disciplined dogs. They will require a lot of exercise, unless you get something squat like a bulldog. They will also need a lot of training, otherwise they get out of hand quickly. Do you like to hike? Go for long walks and explore outside of your neighborhood? If so then you can handle a teenage dog. If you spend most of your days inside, on the other hand, you might not be the best home for a young dog with lots of energy. In that case you would be setting the dog up for misbehavior.

This is why older dogs are often a good match for older owners. They are happy with a walk around the block twice a day and being in your company the rest of the time.

But if a puppy is the right match for you, then I say go for it. Now, you need to find a good breeder.

Here is the quick way to determine if you are talking with a responsible breeder. If you walk in the door and they are willing to sell the dog, then they are not a good breeder. If the dog is simply inventory to be moved, then you want to move on. For a responsible breeder, placing the dog is more like an adoption process. They will want to know about you, your lifestyle, your home and yard, and your experience with dogs. My first breeder turned me down after I met with her and the dog. She didn't think I was the right person for that dog. I was willing to put down $2000 and she said "no". That's the difference between a responsible breeder and someone who is breeding dogs for profit.

I hope that helps. What kind of dog do you want to get?

@Richard Brennan...Thank you for your interesting reply. I am still not convinced at 100% that I will be getting a puppy. Funny thing is that I have in the last 8 years fostered many puppies for my local animal shelter and I know they are a lot of work. I am an outdoorsy type, quite active and realize over the years with the dogs I had the privilege to share my life with that the working breed suits my personality the most. It would be the first time I choose a dog, a specific breed. I am thinking Standard Schnauzer. The breeder told me it could be a possibility for me to get an adult one but she doesn't know when. There is no rush. Main thing if I get an adult SS is that the dog gets along with other dogs because my intention is to continue fostering for the shelter.

What about a Schnauzer rescue? True that rescues often have "issues", but imho they issues are no less difficult to overcome than that of raising a puppy.

Sounds like you would be a perfect pet mom. No matter what age you are.

Oh, boy! A new baby in the house. As long as you know what you are in for absolutely go for it. I knew a woman who adopted a pup after losing hers 22 years ago - those 22 years mattered as in she forgot what it was like.

But the dog grew and all was well. We adopted a puppy when I was 54 - well, it wasn't easy I will tell you. He is now just over 15 years of age and very puppyish still - his breed does not really mature.

I look forward to your posts!

It is definitely necessary.

My sister is getting a new puppy next week and she is 80. I will be co-parenting with her as she travels a lot and my puppy raising skills are much more recent than hers. Plus, we are hoping my senior doggy will help to train junior in the proper ways of being a well behaved pet :-))

As long as one is physically able to manage and properly care for the pet, one is never too old to have a furry companion in one's life. You will likely live longer because of it.

I got an 8 week old puppy during the pandemic. I was 73 and active and healthy and I loved my puppy so much 6 months later I got his sister from the breeder! Puppies are a lot of work but so adorable and fun to have. I was recently widowed and they are the best company ever. I did choose a small to medium sized companion puppy. Mine are half Bichon and half Cocker Spaniel. I say go for it and enjoy your puppy!

My mother got a minature schnauzer puppy at 74. She and her husband love that dog so much. She gets lots of attention and walks in the park. She has a great life. I also bought a male puppy, bergamasco, 2 years ago - my first dog! I work full time and it is a lot more work than I ever thought. I bought him a sister and she just turned a year old. It is midnight now and they are racing around the house as I type this, wrestiing and chasing each other. It is a hoot watching them and I am so glad I got them. I think you should go for it!