BY CLAUDIA MADELEY

Special to The Pilot

A select group of "golden oldies" are yearning to become the tail-wagging best friends of people.

These are dogs in their prime and available for speed dating the weekend after Valentine's Day at PetSmart in Aberdeen.

The guardians of the golden oldies describe them as "gentle, quiet and very sweet."

For now, they live at The Haven animal shelter - some have been there for years - and they are eager to become companions, play fellows, or sympathetic, speechless supporters.

The youngster of the bunch is 5 years old, and the grande dame is 8. Golden oldies have depth, wisdom and unconditional love to offer, according to Linden Spear, executive director of The Haven.

The dogs will be on display Feb. 16-17 from noon to 4 p.m. at the store off U.S. 15-501. Adoption fees of $50 to $80 are bargain priced because spaying, neutering, shots, de-worming and microchipping are included in the fee. For each adoption, PetSmart provides a valuable book of coupons to the new owner.

No longer puppies, these golden oldies don't have to be toilet trained and are well past the teething stage. Instead, they bring deep gratitude and joy to their prospective owners, says Spear.

Among the contenders are

n Sadie, a black and white Jack Russell, who is 6;

n Al, an Australian shepherd-golden retriever mix, age 6;

n Aussie, a female black tricolor Australian shepherd-retriever mix, age 5;

n Sparky, a black and rust female cattle dog, age 8;

n Honey, a female Labrador retriever-beagle mix, who is 4;

n Della, a white and tan Labrador retriever-boxer mix, who is 5;

n Echo, a male black tri-color treeing walker coon hound, age 7

n Millie, a sable-colored Labrador retriever mix, who is 5;

n Duke, a 7-year-old Akita-pointer mix with white fur and rust patches. He is good with adults and kids and not good with cats and small animals, says Spear.

The golden oldies have simply been overlooked among the many hundreds of dogs and cats who have taken sanctuary at The Haven and they need an extra chance, she says.

To prepare for the Valentine weekend adoptions, Haven volunteers have been giving the golden oldies special, individual training.

Also available for adoption at the event will be a number of cats, Speer said. They are just as devoted and loving as the golden oldies.

Since it began, more than 30,000 cats and dogs have been adopted from the no-kill shelter. About 800 resident cats and dogs receive round-the-clock care there.

To help The Haven win free pet food and to raise funds, animal lovers can vote daily at a website theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com.

The Haven is the largest animal shelter in North Carolina. It is about 15 miles from the Moore County line on a 140-acre farm on N.C. 211 near Raeford.

It does not receive any government stipends. Donations, adoption fees, bequeaths and grants are the only source of money to operate.

It is open seven days a week for adoptions by appointment.

For information, visit thehavennc@gmail.com or phone (910) 875-6768.