If one of the items on your holiday gift list this year is a new pet for an older friend or relative, think twice. While the benefits of pet adoption have been well-documented, especially for seniors, pets also mean more work for their owners, so it's important to consider the senior's preferences, lifestyle, health and agility before making a decision about pet adoption. Here are some key pet adoption issues to consider when choosing a pet, and before you surprise Grandma with a holiday puppy.
_{My dog, Paris, is a Border Collie mix and former shelter dog.
Photo ©2007 Sharon O’Brien}