Dear Eric: A month after my beloved dog died, I felt like I urgently needed another dog. One day, after adopting my new dog, I was on a website to post events for cities and neighborhoods. The first post I saw was “Looking for a puppy for my dog ​​to play with.” was. In short, the woman had the same breed dog, a month older than mine, and she lived within walking distance of my house. The four of us have been great friends ever since. I’m sure my dog ​​and my friend are heaven sent.

– Dog Delight

Dear Delight: In addition to providing great companionship, pets can also connect us to others.

Dear Eric: In our 70s, my husband and I moved into an independent living apartment in the 400-person Continuing Care Retirement Community, which features lecture series, music programs (mostly classical), and activities ranging from climate advocacy to painting and exercise classes. to poker.

– Aging Well

Dear Aging Good: Many have written about the numerous benefits of retirement communities, as well as organizations like the Village Movement for older adults living alone.

Dear Eric: There are Senior Centers in nearly every town, and here in Colorado, members are featured in catalogs full of opportunities. I started line dancing and met so many new friends! Our seniors sign up for hikes, trips to so many local places, activities, games, and restaurants that it would take me 40 pages to list them all. Leave your home and step outside your comfort zone.

– Always Active

Dear Always Active: Dance came up in many responses, especially square dancing and line dancing. People love the opportunity to meet people and the benefits to mental acuity.

Dear Eric: I decided to try an online dating site for seniors. Coincidentally, my now husband was on the same dating site, even though he was 900 miles away in a different state. Despite the physical distance, we each felt a bond made even stronger by regular emails. We actually purchased our current home together before we met in person, just six weeks after our first email. We “saw” each other every night as we talked on Skype and exchanged regular emails. Finally, after three months, he packed up his van and we moved in together. This was three years ago. I am currently 85 years old and he is 84. We bought a new car together yesterday, this may be our last car, but it is okay because the future is now, not one day.

– Overcoming the Distance

Dear Transition: What a lovely feeling. Finding hookups through online sites (many people also mentioned Match.com) has proven to be key for many people.

Dear Eric: Last winter, I enrolled in a film development class at college. In terms of age, everyone in the class could be my grandson. It was very enjoyable to be around young people. One in particular, a high school senior, introduced himself to me early on and we bonded over photography and writing. He moved his seat next to me. Nine months later and class is long over, we’re still friends.

– Friendship Development

Dear Friendship: I love this – lifelong learning and intergenerational friendship.

Send your questions to R. Eric Thomas at: [email protected] or PO Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at: rericthomas.com.