Hello, I’m Jenish! Dive into my introduction to get to know more about me and my lively Chihuahua mix, Penny.
Does your dog have an old soul? By that, I mean, does your dog seem unusually mature for their age? Are they often serious, perhaps even wiser than you’d expect? Do they have that “grandma” or “grandpa” personality?
I believe Penny, despite being only about 4 years old, is an old soul. It makes sense, considering dogs age faster than humans. However, Penny seems to embody an even older spirit than her age would suggest. Let’s dive into how old Penny really is and explore her surprisingly mature demeanor.
How Old Is Penny in Dog Years vs Human Years?
We’ve all heard the rule that dogs age about 7 human years for each dog year. By this formula, Penny would be around 28 years old. However, this rule was based on an average dog lifespan of 10 years and a human lifespan of 70 years. Scientists and veterinarians now believe this formula isn’t entirely accurate, as dogs of different sizes age at different rates.
For instance, smaller dogs like Penny generally have longer lifespans and age more slowly compared to larger breeds like Great Danes, which have shorter lifespans. So, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula for calculating how quickly dogs age.
Most experts agree that, regardless of size, dogs age about 15 human years during their first year of life. By their second year, they age roughly 9 more human years, and then about 4 human years for each additional year after that.
Using this more detailed approach, Penny, at 4 years old, would be around 32 in human years according to this aging chart.
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How Old Does Penny Act Like She Is?
If I had to guess, I’d say Penny acts more like a 70-year-old woman. She’s still vibrant, healthy, and full of life, enjoying playtime twice a day. However, the majority of her day is spent embodying that “grandma” persona. What do I mean by that?
Penny often exhibits a calm and relaxed demeanor, preferring cozy naps and quiet moments over high-energy activities. She has a gentle, thoughtful presence, and she seems to take a laid-back approach to life, much like a loving grandparent who enjoys the simpler, more serene aspects of daily living.
She Makes Sure I Wake Up on Time
I’m not the type of person who can spring out of bed the moment the alarm rings. I need a gradual wake-up, so I set my alarm 15 minutes earlier than my planned wake-up time. This allows me to hit the snooze button three times, giving me a bit of time to adjust to the idea of leaving my warm, comfortable bed.
Penny, who sleeps with me, stays put until I’m ready to get up. However, she’s well-tuned to my routine. If I don’t get up right after the third snooze alarm, she starts nudging and licking me to ensure I rise, as she knows it’s usually time for me to wake up.
She Sticks to Her Routine
I know that many dogs thrive on routines because it gives them a sense of predictability, but Penny has her own morning routine that she’s developed independently. It’s not something we’ve structured for her; it’s her own little system.
Just as an elderly person might wake up, get dressed, make coffee, and read the newspaper, Penny has her own series of steps she follows each morning. Here’s how her routine typically goes:
- Wake up (and make sure mom is awake too).
- Head to the back door, go outside, and take care of business.
- Return inside, go to the front door, step outside, and check the front yard for any changes.
- Come back inside and play with her toy for 5–10 minutes.
- Have breakfast.
- Find all three of the cats.
- Settle down for a nap.
She Rounds Up the “Grandkids”
Speaking of the kitties, Penny sometimes takes on the role of their surrogate grandma. She’s always trying to gather them into the same room, as if she’s ensuring they all stick together. If the kitties are grooming each other or playing, Penny interprets this as “misbehavior” and starts grumbling at them, as if she’s scolding them for not behaving.
It’s as if Penny feels a strong sense of responsibility for the kitties, making sure they’re on their best behavior and avoiding any mischief. She genuinely seems to believe it’s her job to look after them and keep them in line.
She Loves to Sit on the “Porch”
We often joke about how we can’t wait to grow old and spend our days sitting on the porch, watching the world go by. It seems like Penny is already living that dream. She loves to go outside and just sit, taking in her surroundings.
Now, she doesn’t actually sit on the porch, but she enjoys spending time in the driveway or on the back patio, just observing everything around her. She could happily do this for hours if we let her. Honestly, I think that when she asks to go outside, only about 20% of the time is actually for potty breaks. The other 80% is just her wanting to sit and enjoy the view.
She’s Not in a Hurry
Finally, Penny is the epitome of a laid-back lifestyle. She’s never in a rush, whether she’s eating, going potty, or just going about her day. Aside from the occasional burst of zoomies, she lives her life as though she has nowhere to be and all day to get there.
I remember one morning when we were all getting ready to leave the house. I was hustling to get out the door, but Penny was calmly strolling around the yard, sniffing every blade of grass and taking her sweet time. I called her several times, but she simply looked at me with her usual, serene expression, as if to say, “I’m not on your schedule.”
Sometimes, I envy her ability to just slow down and be fully present in each moment. Watching her reminds me to appreciate the little things and take life at a more relaxed pace. Maybe, if we all embraced a bit of Penny’s patience, we’d find a bit more peace in our own lives.
Life with Penny Is Relaxing
Living with a dog who has an old soul is incredibly relaxing. While I know a few dogs older than Penny who are still full of boundless energy, Penny’s calm demeanor is a refreshing contrast. Despite her mix of Chihuahua, Poodle, and Pekingese, she’s more laid-back than one might expect for her breed combination.
It’s a reminder that every dog is unique and doesn’t always adhere to the typical breed traits, even when they’re in good health. Penny, at 4 years old (or about 32 in human years), acts like she’s at least 70. It’s clear she has an old soul, and I genuinely love my little “grandma” dog. Given that I consider myself an old soul too, her presence is a perfect fit for our household. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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