Thoughts on getting another dog at the age of 72.

Well...what a wonderful lot of guys you are. Thank you all for your advice and support. I am constantly looking for a gsp that would suit our needs. Maybe a 5-6 year old. I have all the gear and food a dog could possibly want. And of course an extra warm place on the sofa and in our hearts! Will keep in touch on this forum and let you good people know how I get on. Thanks once again. ?

I look at the local dog adoption pages every day out of general interest. It seems the old dogs whose owners have died are very speedily adopted by people who specially want an older dog.

However the RSPCA have a scheme where you register with them and when your die or become disabled they will take your dog or cat and care for it and have it adopted if possible.

Rio So pleased that you are looking for another dog. You have a lot of love to give and there are so many sad pets who need that.

If money were no object, I would be "crazy cat woman" myself!!!

Rio my friend's dog is a rescue puppy and, judging by what I see of him, he is very exuberant! Great fun but very OTT. Mind you, if I'd had him I would have trained him which would take endless patience with such a lively little dog.
So perhaps your idea of an older dog is a good one, but best to make sure of his (or her) background first.

Go on do and get another dog. You are both healthy and you know as well as I do that walking a dog will keep you fit,

Your four years older than me and it doesn't sound as if you are planning on popping your clogs any time soon. If you live to be 90 that's time and enough for another dog or two!

You go for it both.
It`s lovely to give and receive puppy love.

Don't know if this helps but one of my neighbours who is 80 has just 'adopted' a retired greyhound. I though oh mi! surely greyhounds need a lot of exercise but apparently retired ones don't! They are happy to have gentle exercise once they are retired. She says he is amazing but just one word of caution, he doesn't like other dogs or cats!

Lovely dog all the same and non of the problems of training that come with pups x

I think you should get another dog, but then I would say that as my pup is now 16months and I'm just a little younger than you! I do think it's important to think about the size of the dog; I saw a mature lady being dragged along this morning, and thought how incredibly uncomfortable she looked.

I got a new pup when I was 73. I was heartbroken after losing a dog I adored and wish I’d been more rational. I happily took the first pup I found and have spent the two years since regretting that she is half Jack Russell. She is hyper-active and a serious barker.
Get a new dog but make damn sure it’s suited to you and will still be when you’re ten years older. A GSP is a very energetic breed, something small might be better.

There is a web site called Borrow my Doggy. If you want a dog lover to assist with dog walking, either occasionally or regularly, you can match up with someone local.

I know someone who does "borrow a dog" as they can't have their own, they even have him for the odd night now if the owner goes away. It works well for them both, and the dog is very happy. No money changes hands.

I just thought this might be of help, if anyone suddenly is unable to walk their own dog. I know the Cinnamon Trust offer help on a short term basis too.

My Mum had a similar worry, but got a rescue who was older - he was 10 and she was/is a very fit 82, now 84 but is so fit because of the dog as they walk a lot - do it! The Cinnamon Trust may actually have dogs that need a home, that was where she was initially waiting for one to come up, but it didn't so we found her a rescue JRT elsewhere - I suspect as she is still so fit, that we may have the same issue again at some point?

I was broken hearted when my six year old spaniel x died a year ago. He was absolutely fit and healthy, until 24 days before he was put to sleep because an aggressive inoperable tumour left him unable to walk, confused and doubly incontinent. Just awful. Several months later, a friend put me in touch with a breeder who was reluctantly selling a nine month old spaniel, she'd kept to show. Ten months later, I couldn't be happier with my young dog. If I fall out of a plane one of my daughters will take her x

I'm sorry, Rio, I haven't read all the posts, but I do get a general feeling that most people would suggest you go ahead and invite another dog into your home. You must be missing your girl so much, and it is only natural that she has left a huge gap in your lives. Why not look into rescuing a dog? We rescued ours, after our Penny, a Collie Cross died, when we were 71 (fit & healthy) from The UK Griffon Adopters & Fosterers Group, which is worth looking into. There are many dog rescue homes around, and sadly many dogs who need loving homes. You won't regret it.

Hi all. Just to let you all know that I’m still trying to find a suitable rescue dog. I’ve been pipped to the post with 2 possible gsps so maybe the 3 rd interesting one may be mine! With the present situation (coronovirus) it would be best to delay dog hunting for a while. I’m definitely going to get another sweetheart as I can’t tolerate the void that my departed dog has left. ?

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I am so very sorry for your loss.
I realised that at 72, Hattie would probably be my last dog as she is only 4. However there may be a serious kidney issue and I am having to face the idea that I might lose her sooner than I had thought.
Could I go through that again? Is it fair to a dog especially one who may have more years left in them than me.
I honestly don’t know the answer but I am sure your heart will guide you

There are often puppies available at the various charities. I have two dogs, both of them acquired as puppies. My girl (8) is a sheep dog cross. I don't know what with has she was found in a car park on a very stormy evening and taken to the shelter. She still doesn't like storms and, as I am typing this there is thunder outside and she is quivering beneath my desk. My boy (6) is a fox terrier who was taken to a shelter with the rest of his litter, we think because their tails had been docked too close to the body so he just has a tiny stump. (This is in France, in case anyone is wondering about tail docking)

Other GNers have mentioned older dogs and some of those will have come into a shelter because their owner can no longer keep them or has died.

There are also breed rescue societies and in the past I've got a cairn and a westie through those. Both "adoptions" were very successsful.

So, good luck.

Yes go for it I’m sure you’ll be ok and it’s definitely what you want so do it.

We are early 70s have never had a dog though thinking about it now. We are in good health and walk a lot and and looking to rehome an older well behaved dog not a puppy which needs training but most importantly one which doesn’t shed because of allergy. So a cocker doodle or similar.

Have been in touch with battersea but there is nothing suitable at present so need to look at other options. We have met people walking recently both having rehomed cockerpoodkes from Cyprus.

Feeling nervous because we have always been cat people but that’s no longer possible, but also excited, although because of the anti allergy issue wonder if we will find our new companion.
Daughter happy to take over if we can’t cope later.
Any suggestions or advice for me?

We got our rescue cats from a centre which promises to take the cats back if we were unable to care for them. Also we have pet insurance which would pay for a cattery if we were both in hospital or incapacitated. Plus we have asked around family and have people willing to care for them in an emergency. So get your worries covered and go for it! Life is for living and you should have a furry friend if you are able.

Silverlining48 I think that dogs with short wiry coats are better for those with allergies than the smooth soft coated dogs. I'm someone whose been allergic to dogs and cats (and the rest) since I was a child. Many people would think am very stupid but I love/loved all my pet, both cats and dogs.

I think that one can build up a tolerance to the animals (no scientific basis for this)

As regards the cockerdoodles and the rest, the Australian who originally thought of the labrador poodle cross now regrets it because the breeders aren't putting sufficient thought into the breeding process.

The other I came across the certificate for one of my cairns (the only puppy that I paid good money for) and was shocked to see that on her father's side he had the same sire twice ( his grandparents)

Some months ago I got called out on here for referring to mongrels but they are usually healthier than many of the pure bred dogs.

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Hete is Rana . My 5 month old saluki. It seamed like a great idea but you forget how much wotk is attached. Shes gorgeous yes and i love her yes but my home is full if toys and dog food and treats and instead of a floral smell its wet dog esp now.
In hindsight i should have rescued an older dog but i was worried of the history with grandchildren.
I will perservere as shes part of our family but its not easy x

Silverlining a word of caution, you mention that you want a "well behaved" dog. Rescue dogs may have had a troubled history and take a while to settle into life with their new owners. Don't expect things to be perfect straight away, you will be rewarded with so much love and pleasure. I have two rescue dogs and we have a good life altogether. Good luck.

If you go to a really good rescue, such as the Dogs Trust, they will always take back a dog that doesn’t work out.

I have a phone ‘interview’ with Battersea this morning to ask and answer questions.
Will check out Dogs Trust too.
Thanks for input all. Much appreciated.