Warning: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/sharpeinfo.com/wp-includes/functions.php on line 35 Warning: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/sharpeinfo.com/wp-includes/functions.php on line 43 Warning: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/sharpeinfo.com/wp-includes/functions.php on line 35 Warning: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/sharpeinfo.com/wp-includes/functions.php on line 43

Adopting an Older Shar-Pei Dog

Warning: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/sharpeinfo.com/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 113 Warning: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/sharpeinfo.com/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 138

Let’s face it.  None of us can resist sad puppy faces and that “pick me” whimper as we pass by the adoptable puppies.  Puppies are undeniably cute.  On the other hand, anyone who has raised a puppy can agree, these irresistible bundles of joy are a huge responsibility!  If you have considered adopting a puppy, but are not sure if you have the time or patience to raise one, consider adopting an older dog.

• Like babies and small children, training a puppy means starting from the very beginning.  Housebreaking a puppy can be stressful and overbearing.  Older dogs are usually completely housebroken and are much more independent than that of a new puppy.  They would not have to be fed or taken outside as often.
• Puppies can be energetic and sometimes have “out of control” behavior.  Older dogs are often more calm, making great companions for elderly people who don’t have the Older dogs often make great companions for older people, who don’t have the endurance to keep up with a young puppy.
• Older dogs are completely grown in terms of size and appearance.  There is no way to tell the exact size a puppy will become when full grown.  Also, older dogs are easier to handle when it comes to discipline.  They have already gone though their destructive phases of adolescence and are more focused and self-disciplined.
• It is a proven fact that older dogs have a longer attention span and can often be trained easily.  So I guess you CAN teach an old dog new tricks after all!

It is unfortunate that older dogs are often overlooked.  Instead of heading right for the puppy kennels, take a moment to think about the qualities possessed by older dogs.  You may be surprised what you find!