I'd love to be your buddy!

Maurice is an unfortunate by-product of a segment of our population who fails to consider the well-being of their beloved dog in the event they can't care for it.  I'm going to speak my heart and hope no one takes offense, but rather look introspectively into your own hearts and ask the difficult question:  "Is it only all about me?"  Many people will look at this beautiful pure-bred bichon who's been cared for his whole life and marvel at what a handsome dog he is.  

Then they'll look at his age.  Silently they'll say "too bad."  Aside from the fact bichons can live to 15+ years, what you're really saying to yourself is "I don't want to go through the heartbreak of losing a dog."  That's understandable.  So what provisions have you made for your dog?  Looking at it from a loving, devoted dog's perspective, are they just supposed to be "put to rest" along with the owner?  Or dumped in the shelter because they're "too old."  Our society provides for the housing of those that can't care for themselves.  It only provides a death row prison for our animals.  Oh, but then of course there's rescue groups.  Yes, those of us who volunteer most of our time not to mention money on trying to save those on death row in addition to taking in those poor perfect dogs that simply have become "displaced."  

Maurice thankfully did not end up in the shelter - he ended up with a Bichon rescue group.  That doesn't mean he has a home.  It means he's alive and being taken care of.  Those of you who want the plug-and-play dog are missing out by passing up slightly older ones.  The same goes for housebroken dogs.  The devotion and gratitude is never more viscerally perceived than with an older dog who instinctively knows he's not wanted anymore.

Maurice is a happy, healthy 9 years young and acts like a 3 year old.  He does his bichon blitz, his bichon wave, gives gentle bichon kisses and generally has the loving, gregarious, endearing personality of  a bichon.  Not to mention the obvious - he's STUNNING.  Maurice immediately integrated into the pack and gets along with all his four legged friends and any two legged ones he meets - whether little or big.  He's not a barker and is great on a leash.  He of course loves company and has been accustomed to it for quite a while.  Open your hearts and your mind to the possibility of being lucky enough to give an older dog the best years of his life.  ... it will be the most altruistic and self-fulfilling act you'll ever do.