Imagine if there was a scientific device that could measure the "soul mate quotient" of different things. Can you think of anything that would score higher than a senior dog? After all, this is your longtime companion—a caring, loving, perhaps even telepathic friend who completes you.
A soul mate, obviously, cannot be measured objectively because this is a very personal emotional/spiritual connection. But the feelings we have for the senior dogs in our lives are quite tangible. They are deep, resonant, and enhance our lives every day.
What does it take to be a soul mate?
This is, of course, a subjective experience, but here are some of the many reasons why senior dogs have become soul mates for so many of us:
Loyalty and devotion. A senior dog has been a constant part of your life for so long—sharing the good times and helping you through the rough spots—that he has proven his loyalty. His steadfast devotion may be something that you have come to take for granted, but take a moment to imagine what life would be like without it.
Unconditional love. The cynics among us say that there is no such thing as unconditional love. Obviously, they have never experienced the love of a senior dog, a love that seems to grow stronger year after year. Look into the eyes of your senior dog, and you realize that unconditional love does, in fact, exist.
The ability to anticipate your needs. Your senior dog has developed the most amazing ability to anticipate your emotional needs, be it a loving lick, a look of compassion, an upbeat and uplifting wag of the tail, or just a warm body to make you feel comforted. It's like they have an emotional radar that can detect your moods and needs the moment you come home.
The wisdom of age. With some people, age may bring wisdom and a higher level of understanding about life. But with dogs, this seems to happen more frequently than with people. Did you ever know a senior dog that didn't radiate a sense of wisdom, of having experienced the fullness of life and learning its many lessons?