When it comes to filling that dog-shaped hole left in some people's lives, the OAPs (old age pooches) are often overlooked. 

On average, dogs spend just under 50 days in the care of Dogs Trust - but sadly, older dogs can often take much longer to rehome with around 9% of dogs currently in the charity’s care – 137 hounds - being older pooches. 

This weekend, it's Grandparents Day on Sunday, October 6, and Dogs Trust Darlington is taking the opportunity to shine a light onto the golden oldies in its care. 

The Darlington charity currently has two pooches above the age of eight years old looking for their forever home - and you might just be their paw-fect match. 

Maggie, Crossbreed

MaggieMaggie (Image: DOGS TRUST DARLINGTON)

13-year-old Maggie is a sweet older girl who will need a home that will walk her in low dog-populated areas as she can be reactive to dogs when she sees them out on her walks.

She will need to be the only pet in the home so that she can enjoy her senior years soaking up all the attention to herself - but she still loves exploring on her walks. 

She can live with children who are aged 11 and above that will give her lots of attention and won't mind too much if she occasionally jumps up in excitement.

As she is an older girl she would like to have someone around for her throughout the day to keep her company and give her all the attention that she deserves.

Maggie would love nothing more than to find her pawfect retirement home so that she can have a comfy home to relax in.

Adopters will need to come and meet Maggie a couple of times before heading home with her. 

Flash, Lurcher

FlashFlash (Image: DOGS TRUST DARLINGTON)

Loveable lurcher Flash is more than eight-years-old - but he still loves going out on fun adventures and taking time to chill out on the sofa. 

Flash - who is adored by the whole team in Darlington - has a playful personality that will always leave a smile on your face - and would love to find a secure garden to call his own where he can zoom around with toys or have a snooze in the sun.

The clever lad can find being around other dogs quite stressful, so would need to be walked in quieter areas, though he would be quite happy to hop in the car to go on more peaceful adventures.

Flash will need to be the only pet, but might be able to have a few doggy walking pals if this is done gradually and in a specific way - but will need leaving hours built up gradually over time.

He also needs ongoing medical care.

Flash will need a few meets at the centre so that the training team can go through his training plans, and needs a home with no other pets or children. 

 

'An older dog should always be considered'

Alex Hennessey, Manager at Dogs Trust Darlington said: “Older dogs can often be overlooked and not considered when it comes to rehoming and yet there are many benefits of rehoming an Old Age Pooch.

"Older dogs are often calmer and don’t need quite as much exercise, and although they may be a little less energetic, they can be just as fun and playful.  

"They are also more likely to be fully house-trained and they usually know other training basics too, but you can certainly still teach an older dog new tricks.  

"An older and wiser dog can make the perfect companion and best friend, and they are every bit as loving and loyal as any youngster.   

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 “Grandparents Day gives us the chance to put our golden oldies in the spotlight and to remind people that an older dog should always be considered if you are looking for the perfect pooch.

"Maggie is a very sweet-natured girl who is friendly and fun.  She will be a fabulous canine companion when she meets her forever family.” 

If you think you could help Dogs Trust Darlington show that age is just a number, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/darlington.