ADOPTING AN OLDER PET YIELDS MANY REWARDS

By Anita Greenberg,DVM. member of Old Bridge Township Council since 2016

Adopting an older pet can be very rewarding for you and the dog or cat. First and foremost, you saved lives, not only the pet you adopted, but simultaneously you created space in the shelter for another pet waiting to be adopted. Older pets in shelters are the first to be euthanized if they are not adopted in a timely manner. Consider the time you have to dedicate to a new pet and take into account the commitment and impact on your lifestyle. Be honest with yourself. While kittens and puppies are great, an older pet may be the best choice, saving you the need to kitten/puppy proof your house and avoiding housebreaking and litter box training. Older animals demand less and tend to give more. An older pet is less of a stress, usually less destructive and more placid. Somehow, once taken out of the shelter, the older pet even seems grateful to be adopted and seems to know they have been saved.

It does take time for the new pet to acclimate to new surroundings and routines. Developing a sense of safety and trust usually takes about a month. Cats need their quiet space and may hide for a while.

Seniors adopting seniors is a wonderful idea. Older pets are not only calmer, but with age comes wisdom. With older pets, it is easy to identify their personality and characteristics to match with yours and your lifestyle.

Older dogs have lower energy than younger dogs, are more relaxed and often come trained and housebroken. Also, they have their adult teeth, so the destructive chewing phase is in the past. A lot of training time and energy is spared. Older dogs have a much longer attention span then pups, and what you see is what you get. They can be easier and faster to teach. You can teach an old dog new tricks!

Rev. Kevin Davis has been the Chaplain for the South Old Bridge Fire Company for the past six years. He is the Senior Pastor of the Simpson United Methodist Church here in Old Bridge.

“Rev Kev” came to us with 40 years experience in the fire service. He is a retired law enforcement officer who has been committed to serving the public all of his adult life. He has been an active firefighter with specialties in vehicle extrication, interior firefighting, hazmat operations, incident command, and more. He has a deep love and respect for all of the people in every community he has served. He spent most of his firefighting career in Gloucester County in Southern New Jersey where he also served as the Chaplain for the Gloucester County Fire Chiefs and Superior Officers Association. Rev Kev also became a certified Police Chaplain in 2015 and has served in that capacity.

cially to our firefighters and their families. He does so with a level of personal connection and relational support that is most welcome.

Rev Kev is married with four children and in his “spare” time, he uses cooking as his relaxation and therapy. When he is not preparing a sumptuous meal on his smoker or BBQ grill he can be found exploring and fishing local lakes and ponds on his kayak.

BBQ PACKAGES

Starting At (min. 25 People) $18.50 per person

Includes: Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Sausages, Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans, Watermelon. Grilling Chef Available. Wait Staff Available.

COLD BUFFET

$9.50 per person

Starting At (min. 15 People)

Beautifully arranged trays of the finest Cold Cuts and Cheeses. Choice of four Meats & one Cheese. Plus, Fresh Baked Rolls, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, & Macaroni Salad, Pickles & Olives, Mustard & Mayonnaise.

HOT CATERING

& Onions, Eggplant Rollatini, Stuffed Shells, Chicken Francaise, Chicken Marsala, Shrimp Scampi, Sliced Roast Beef with Mushroom Gravy, Barbeque Ribs, Pepper Steak, Tortellini with Sundried Tomato Cream Sauce & Much More!

Choice of Homemade Italian Bread or Rolls, Green Tossed Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Package Includes: Sterno , Chafing Dishes And Free Cookie Tray

Chicken Parmigiana

Chicken Francaise

Chicken Marsala

Chicken Modena

Choice of 3 (Full Tray)

Italian Meatballs

Cavatelli & Broccoli

Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

Tortellini & Broccoli

Chicken Meatballs

Penne Vodka • Lasagna

Sausage & Peppers

Broccoli & Garlic

Eggplant Parmigiana

Roasted Potatoes

Baked Ziti • Stuffed Shells

Roasted Vegetables

Choice of 1

Garden Salad

Caesar Salad

Mixed Baby Green

Italian Bread or Rolls, And Sternos included