Dogs are, without question, one of the great sources of love, joy, and compassion in this world. Writers, as varied as Homer, Shakespeare, Mikhail Bulgakov, and Dorothy Parker, have written about their great loyalty and sense of companionship.

They’ve left their pawprints all over the art world, from royal portraits painted by Dutch Masters to Picasso’s wiener dog Lump. Everyone from the emperors of the Ming Dynasty to Presidents to the Queen and her corgis has known what makes Man’s Best Friend so special.

You might already know that. You may already want to buy or adopt a dog.

But you may not know just how much an older dog needs to be adopted – and why doing so might be one of the best decisions you ever make.

1. Older Dogs Are Trained

For as lovable and excitable as puppies can be, training them can be a lot of work. If you’re not ready to deal with potty training accidents or trying to get your puppy to learn how to fetch, stay, or be quiet at night, an older dog might be the way to go.

Older dogs have far more life experience than puppies. Whether or not it’s true that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” an old dog will likely come to you already knowing some basic commands. If you want a dog, but don’t want to have to wait months or a year or two for them to stop having accidents in the carpet or refusing to come when you call, an older dog could be a perfect choice.

2. Older Dogs Need a Home

Moreover, many older dogs sorely need to be chosen. Older dogs are more likely to be in pounds than puppies, and they’re more likely to face being put down due to their age or medical conditions if they are not adopted. If you care about helping older dogs, this can be a great way to do so.

3. Older Dogs Are Often Calmer

Maybe you’d love to get a dog, but don’t want to deal with a hyperactive puppy. Maybe you want to buy a dog for a person who can't keep up with a hyperactive dog, such as a senior. In either case, you might well be better off adopting an older dog, who is bound to be less hyperactive than young puppies.

4. Older Dogs Need Your Care

The older we get, the more we depend on others to take care of us.

That’s true of people and it’s true of dogs as well.

For example, older dogs may need specialized wheelchairs. These can help with weak backs, arthritic legs, weakened paws, or other crippling effects of age. A rear support dog wheelchair, like this one by K9 Carts, holds your dog upright and can drastically increase their mobility by taking the weight off of their back and affected legs.

Whether it is their front legs, hind legs, or back that is most affected by age, a dog wheelchair can be incredibly helpful in supporting them how, where, and when they need it most.

All of which is a symbol of the emotional support you can give an older dog by adopting one today.

Author’s BIO: Lori Wade is a journalist from Louisville. She is a content writer who has experience in small editions. Lori is currently engaged in news and conceptual articles on the pet care and veterinary industry. You can find her on LinkedIn. Hope you appreciate Lori’s useful insights!