Would it be fair?

If you are as doddery as you say you are, it would not be wise to get a dog. Whatever their age they need walking, not just put out in the garden a couple of times a day.all pets need care and attention, so you should think very hard.

Please don't be bullied into taking a rescue dog that's not for you. I am 80 and have 2 west highland terriers. One I've had for 5 years. They both came from Westies rescue UK. Pauline who fostered them came to my home and spoke to me about what I could and couldn't manage. My Tilly was a breeding dog and not used to running out and about. She is quiet ,placid and so biddable. Ideal for someone elderly. Hattie came just over a year ago. She also doesn't need too much exercise. She was 8 years old when I got her just over a year ago. They are both very content to sit beside me if I'm sitting and Tilly particularly follows me about the house, while Hattie is happy to sit and sleep. Hope you find this information helpful. I found the local dog home had mostly big dogs needing rehoming.

Do not get a terrier as they are very lively. I would advise a French Bulldog or Pug. They are very loving and don't need long walks.

I hope what I am going to say is accurate - no doubt someone will correct me if I'm wrong. My understanding of the Cinnamon Trust is that you can register your dog with them and if it outlives you the Trust will care for them and rehome. So surely it would follow that you could apply to the Trust and offer to rehome a bereaved dog.

Yorkshire terriers are a lovely breed . I had the toy breed , which was small enough to take every where with me . As long as you have a garden or a patio area to go out on , they don't really need a walk because there little legs couldn't take it . My yorkshire terrier would even use the cat litter box . Although remember with older dog comes problems as they are getting on just like us . You would probably find pet insurance wouldn't cover you , so be prepared for vets bills which are not cheap . Cats are more independent but still with age comes problems . I wish you all the best with your decision .

Not a bad idea Tree, I'll look into it.
Its such awful weather here at the moment things are somewhat 'on hold' but I'll resume my research when it stops raining. That sounds a bit silly, but its not much fun in a rain coat and dripping all over the floor, even though the dogs don't seem to mind, I'd adopt the lot of I could ?
I wish I could take my daughter with me but we're being sensible and only meeting briefly outdoors. She works in a busy school and is obsessive about not passing anything on to me.

I thought of www.borrowmydoggy.com as well, but the other way round. Someone can borrow your doggy and take it for walks if/when you can't. I know people who have made some good friends that way, too.

Tree58

I’ve not had a thorough read through all of the replies, so forgive me if it’s already been mentioned, but how about making use of a website called Borrow My Doggy?
You can register as a borrower and have the regular company of a little local canine companion, or two. You don’t have to take them for a walk. You could just have them in the house after they’ve been dropped off. All the joy with none of the responsibilities.
I don’t know how it would all work in the current climate but I’m sure the info will be on the website.

My sister does this. She has a lovely young cockerpoo one day a week and is delighted with the arrangement

I would contact other rescue organizations, there's definitely a dog somewhere who would fit in with your life. If you do find that you would like your dog to have a longer walk, The Cinnamon Trust has people who would be happy to help.

I’ve not had a thorough read through all of the replies, so forgive me if it’s already been mentioned, but how about making use of a website called Borrow My Doggy?
You can register as a borrower and have the regular company of a little local canine companion, or two. You don’t have to take them for a walk. You could just have them in the house after they’ve been dropped off. All the joy with none of the responsibilities.
I don’t know how it would all work in the current climate but I’m sure the info will be on the website.

Would definitely recommend a greyhound. Beautiful, gentle dogs who don’t need a lot of exercise. However, they are big so maybe consider a whippet. Would also suggest visits to a re-homing Centre first to make sure you get the right dog for you. Also, if you really find that you are not coping they will take the dog back. I got my dog from the Dogs Trust and they were really good.

I too bought an 8week ol Jack Russell pup in January this year and she is absolutely brilliant. It appears all are different.

Definitely do your research before you get a dog to see which breeds are more sedentary. Collies need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Don't forget that many dogs are ball obsessed so with a ball launcher, they will get a lot of exercise and pleasure that way so you might not need to walk far. Just remember to take into account things like how much grooming and things certain breed might need. Doing our Goldendoodle these days is a killer and very costly to get done.
Pets4homes have a search facility which will help you see the characteristics of each breed of dogs and cats which I have found to be pretty helpful with its accuracy.
If you think that a dog may be too much, an older cat might be just the ticket.

Having made the decision, now that we know we won't be office based full time in future, to adopt a dog from a rescue, we have been researching dog rescue places.

Not had any success yet, due to restrictions etc, but I know we have come across a few rescues which are looking for "end of life" adopters, where they say the dogs just want a warm home, a comfy bed, cuddles, and maybe a garden to pootle around in if they feel like it.

Of course, I can't now remember WHICH of the rescues were looking for this kind of care, but likely places like Last Chance or Many Tears

I think it would be wonderful for both you and a needy (as in - in need of a home) to be united. Definitely don't give up on the idea.

And good luck

Can I please, please, please put in a plea for a rescue dog?
No offence to the owners of pedigree dogs but “cute” puppies are changing hands for thousands of ££££ these days and the incidence of those awful puppy farms is still shameful.
However loving or lovely some breeds are, they can be too much of a handful for an older owner - most terriers, labradoodles, most spaniels, Alsatians, collies , most working breeds in fact - the list goes on. Wonderful dogs but they need lots of exercise, stimulus and dare I say, an active owner.
If OP had a bad experience at her first attempt to rehome a dog I would argue she did not go to the right Rescue Centre.
Don’t go to the local pound, however sorry we are for the many dogs they have, but contact a rescue centre which will find the right home for one of their dogs.

Another vote for a greyhound. Much less likely to trip over a big dog than a little one!

He looks like a beautiful Fraggle!

poshpaws I'm so sorry about your DH
Oh my word - Monty is absolutely gorgeous!!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202011/medium-587936-monty-me.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202011/medium-789148-clipped-monty--1.jpg

I would consider a Chinese Crested Dog. They come in 3 types: very long double coated Powderpuff, which I wouldn't recommend for you so much just because of the amount of grooming; Hairless, who have no fur at all except on their head, paws and end of tail (they're gorgeous!) and "Hairy Hairless" which is not showable but just as sweet a dog. They are small, so, so loving, loyal and fun. They also make great hot water bottles! As to excercise, mine have always been happy with just a play and poop in the garden if I'm not well enough to walk them - and they don't like the rain so would prefer not to walk in that! I could put you in touch with a lovey lady in Wales who does a small amount of rescue (Iryna Bush) if you liked - I travelled from Aberdeenshire to Wales to get my wonderful current boy and it was so worth it - or there is a national breed rescue www.chinesecrestedclubofgb.co.uk/
Here are a couple of pics of my Hairy Hairless, Monty both in his full coat and when trimmed to look like he should have done except for greedy breeders. (He was put up for rescue because he turned out not to be show standard .. they don't know what they missed, he's the perfect dog and I say that as one who has had 30 years in rescue and up to 14 of my own different breeds/ cross breeds at a time, all of whom I've loved unreservedly.) Monty has kept me from suicide since my husband's death from Covid in May.

We once had a beautiful Labrador girl who had been rejected from the guide dog training programme due to her eyesight not being perfect in one eye. She was about 14 month old when we adopted her, and she lived many happy years with us until she reached 12, and finally crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. She had a few mishaps along the way, mainly caused by her walking or running into things on her left side due to reduced vision, but she was the most faithful and Loyal companion you could ever wish for.
My Daughter, who was a teenager at the time, now has a family and a Labrador girl.of her own. Again she adopted a rescued dog, but from someone local this time who was unable to take their pet with them when being rehoused due to a Marriage breakup. Again you could not wish for a better behaved dog, so loving and faithful too. It must be a Labrador trait though, as she too has had eye problems for the last couple of years which started around the time she turned 8 years old. She's fine around the house, and in places she knows well, but we first noticed it when she started to jump into the Hatchback of the car before the hatch was open for her to do so, resulting in her banging her head.
She now has a younger housemate, an 8 month old Cocker Spaniel girl, but she's crazy, acts first and questions later, so boisterous that she's just had to have surgery on her knee joint, where the get has spotted further hereditary problems in her hips which will require surgery at a later date. Thankfully they do have pet insurance, but it costs them £40 a month for the Spaniel alone.
I'm not planning to have another dog due to my own mobility issues, but if I did, I would probably go for a small smooth coated Lapdog, much less to clean up after them when out and about, cheaper to feed, and you can easily pick them up and carry them in a shoulderbag if needs be and you train them to do so! Much less of a distance needed to walk them too. I quite like the small Chihaua smooth coated Girls, or even something my Grandaughter has, a fully houstrained Jack Rabbit, who thinks he's a Dog!

They are great company and I'd be lost without my little one. When I rescued my her, I had to sign a form that I would return her to them if I couldn't have her anymore. Plus there are a lot of dog walkers around or maybe a neighbour could get it out for a bit of a walk. There's loads of older dogs looking a home as they are often overlooked and they would be quite happy having a dander round the garden.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I second the idea of a greyhound. We have two, our third and fourth, like a little exercise but not too much. Especially when it is raining they prefer to stay in. Very gentle, loving dogs who just want a warm bed, a cuddle, lots of spoiling and, of course, their food. They are past the puppy stage so are quieter. A good rescue would match you to one perfectly. Do go for it.

As I keep reminding myself. We are all
different

I M 84 now
My beloved Sheltie died 3 years ago I still miss her terribly always had dogs and cats
Shortly after she died dh nd I got a rescue cat
A very small kitten I had fed her etc

Last year dh died
Then lockup (just saying )

My cat has kept me going
So miss having a dog
Keep wishing but I know cost and care combined is me being selfish
So that is just me

We are all different
Oh I have small fish in small aquarium now following gd
And of course grandsnet

Lots of older dogs are overlooked at rescue centres. Give me an older dog any day. We’ve had many older dogs over the years who have lost their homes due to owners dying or going into care and not a difficult dog amongst them. There is an oldies dog rescue group as mentioned above. We’ve had many greyhounds who are fantastic dogs. They are happy to sleep 23 out of 24hrs a day. Contact your local greyhound rescue group - they know their dogs really well.