[Betsy Posts: 2,318 Status: Offline PICKY EATERS WWW]

I need a complimentary phrase for an old animal.  The only one I can come up with is "wise old owl." Can anyone think of another emphsizing something other than wisdom? (It's really annoying that there seems to be nothing but negative adjectives to describe the elderly.)

[MysteryRobin Posts: 781 Status: Offline]

What about using "elder" like, "Elder Bear"

[Pons Posts: 2,455 Status: Offline]

Kindly, old dog (or cat or really whatever)

Patient, old....(fill in the blank)

I know those aren't very inspiring. Nothing much is jumping to the front of my mind.

[AmandaSue Posts: 195 Status: Offline Believe, Give, Trust WWW]

experienced, sweet, gentle

[crookedbook Posts: 133 Status: Offline WWW]

veteran, seasoned, knowing, senior

[SYoon Posts: 706 Status: Offline Novelty and Picture Books WWW]

I'm always intrigued with the questions you post, Ellen, because I know it's likely for a new ms! So fun! I remember posting about "lost things" once and I used several ideas from the thread in the actual endpaper design--- and my editor absolutely LOVED it!

Oh... my suggestion for an old animal... um... Grandpa or Grandma. Great suggestions above!

[amberturner Posts: 148 Status: Offline WWW]

Sturdy old turtle.

[crookedbook Posts: 133 Status: Offline WWW]

Salina inspired me.     I know it is a reach but perhaps you could find a slightly less known slang word for grandparent, like Pappy, that could apply to non-relatives. Or maybe even a non-English word. My father is from South Africa and my daughters call him Baba or Oupa.

I really liked the elder suggestion and found this interesting (to word nerds like me) article on the difference between elder and older: http://www.dailywritingtips.com/older-vs-elder

[Liz Straw Posts: 1,033 Status: Offline That was a yummy book!]

aunt or uncle (America Indian)

[Vijaya Posts: 6,953 Status: Offline BEAUTY WWW]

Oh, it makes me think of my dear, sweet cat who died 2 yrs ago at the ripe old age of 17.
He was still frisky and totally devoted to me. I still miss him. He was such a lovebug, cuddlykins.
He was also crotchety and bitey, and I loved he still had that spark.

Gee, that's not very helpful, is it? I just posted another muddy post ... must sign off.

Vijaya

[Mara Posts: 498 Status: Offline WWW]

Ellen, do you mean you're looking for common phrases that refer to old animals, like "wise old owl"? There's "tough old bird" which CAN be complimentary when used on humans, but that's probably not helpful unless you meant cooked animals. And "old bat," well, that's probably never complimentary. Hmm...

[Betsy Posts: 2,318 Status: Offline PICKY EATERS WWW]

I only need one or two. Thank you, everyone. This is for a project in which I'm trying to shine a friendlier light on old age.

[dewsanddamps Posts: 2,021 Status: Offline]

Tough old ox. 

[217mom Posts: 1,192 Status: Offline "Keep the child in view"- Charles Dickens WWW]

Good old workhorse... 
 {My father refered to himself thus when he got older}

[Artemesia Posts: 4,014 Status: Offline WWW]

I keep thinking "silver fox"...but then I think Sam Elliott is dreamy, lol. Might not be appropriate for a PB, though. But maybe "silver" could be used somehow.

[Pons Posts: 2,455 Status: Offline]

Tried and true?

[ChrisLH Posts: 94 Status: Offline]

Sweet and steady, calm and wise...

[thunderingelephants Posts: 1,291 Status: Offline]

As tired as a donkey? Or mule.

[ShirleyH Posts: 896 Status: Offline WWW]

Frosty face, Frosted face

[eecoburn Posts: 234 Status: Offline]

Cunning old fox? Seasoned? Veteran?