Would it be fair?

Could you "register" your details with local rescue centres, RSPCA and PDSA? I'm sure they often have dogs brought in when their elderly owners have died and no one in the deceased family wants to take them on.

When my husband got cancer he wanted a dog but was worried about the responsibility of walking it. I was working full time but said we will cope. The dog brought him so much happiness I am so glad we got him. I walked him but was taken a back by people asking me if they could walk him. There are companies that walk dogs as well. Some breeds need more walking than others so find a breed that doesn’t. I would say do your research have a back up walking plan and go for it.

With Cavalier King Charles spaniels, if they've been checked for any problems with heart and eyes, they're healthy dogs.

And yes you can foster dogs
www.rspca.org.uk/findapet/foster

There is a rescue centre for old dogs. Just type in www.oldies.org.uk
Also, as someone has mentioned previously, there are centres which let you keep a dog and they pay for the upkeep. I haven't looked into this myself but I guess you must always have the dog available in case somebody wishes to adopt it formally. I believe it may be cheaper for rescue centres to use this policy than it is to keep open a shelter for them, especially when there are a lot of dogs available. Good luck.

Another vote for a greyhound. Do let us know what you decide.

Most rescue centres are really careful to match the dog with its new owner. Try another one, or keep an eye on their websites. Older dogs are more difficult to rehome and rescue centres would be delighted to find you the right pet. You will never get the love and companship froma cat that a dog will give.

I'd suggest a rescue/retired greyhound. They usually have lovely gentle temperaments and are generally happy to laze around when they get a bit older. And the very short hair means much less cleaning up. A cat would be a good idea though. I have 4 and they're lovely funny companions with the advantage of no walkies. Just don't get a kitten or a very young cat as they can be a bit of a handful. Plenty of middle aged and elderly cats in rescues who would be extremely grateful for a loving home.

I am a volunteer dog walker for The Cinnamon Trust cinnamon.org.uk/
We walk dogs for owners who are too frail to walk them. It might be worth looking at that, or a similar charity, so you have peace of mind if you aren't able to cope with whichever dog you choose, in the future.
As someone has already said, retired greyhounds only need a couple of short walks a day, but they do get very cold, so they need coats on, and they welcome being spoilt with blankets to snuggle under at home !

Why not a terrier. I am 73 and in January of this year bought an 8 week old Jack Russell. She is absolutely brilliant. Was house trained by 12 weeks and has slept through every night since the day I got her.
She's not over energetic and if we don't go out for a long walk I just take her out for about 15 minutes and she's quite content. Loves lots of cuddles and always wants to be near me.

An elderly lady I know was palmed off with a very active, ill disciplined rescue dog. Completely inappropriate. Fortunately it didn’t live too long otherwise I think it would have had to go back. Please don’t be pressured.

I would second a greyhound as they are real couch potatoes an actually don’t need a lot of exercise and if you have a secure green area or big garden 15 min of zooming round that should be enough as they do like a good run ?

ExD ... I can definitely recommend having a small to medium sized dog. Dh and I are aged 68 and quite unexpectedly took on our labradoodle, aged 10 months, two and a half years ago. She is a lab crossed with a small poodle. We had had our previous dog, a sheepdog cross, for 17 years and when she died it was so upsetting that we vowed 'never again'. It was 15 years since our first dog died, but this little dog needed a home and our hearts melted.

When she came to us she was so fragile and so nervous of everyone she met. She has given dh and I a new lease of life and repays our love a thousand fold.

If you feel you can give a needy dog a loving home, please don't hesitate. I don't think you will regret it. We tried to think it through as best we could and this is what we thought:
1. We knew she would take love, time and training before she would totally trust us.
2. We ensured we had adequate insurance for any vet bills.
3. We thought about if we got too old to walk her and decided that if this happened we would hire a dog walker. Not necessarily everyday. A friend has her dog professionally walked twice a week and takes her on shorter walks she can cope with on the other days.
4. We checked that our daughter would give our dog a home if we both died before her.

These are the issues which were important to us. Don't worry about point 4 though as many dog trusts will rehome your dog if it ever became necessary.

We can't recommend including a dog in your life enough Exd. Good luck in your search for an amazing companion.

ExD please 're read the posts about retired greyhounds, it really could be the answer.

We are near the Guide dog training centre here and several neighbours foster dogs in training.

Their food and vet bills are paid and they only need a walk at weekends. They are collected to spend the day at training, then returned late afternoon.

The big downside is that, once fully trained, they go to new owners!

I got a new pup when aged 73. I wanted a pug but they (like Cavaliers) have terrible health problems. I got a pug cross Jack Russell, thinking that, as JRs are so popular, they must be nice little dogs.
Big mistake. She is hyperactive, unrelenting hard work and very very very noisy. I love her dearly, but most when she’s asleep.

Encouraging, thank you. ❤ there are times however when I can hardly stagger down the drive to put the bins out, so this will need time for quite a lot of visits to more rescue centres.
Yes I had been thinking 'little' dog, but the trip hazard needs consideration too,
I was quite put off by the pushy bloke at the (only) rescue place I visited, the sheepdog he wanted rid of was lovely, but just too excited. She needs to be with a family of boisterous children
I think I came across as a lonely old woman who would melt at the sight of sad brown eyes (summed me up well didn't he?) it was difficult to leave empty handed.

Any thoughts, ExD ?

If you cant walk far a cat might be better.

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So NO mud all over the place.

Couldn’t resist these

Ah, MawBe, there you are, with very sound advice!

I hope you didn't disturb Hattie to get that photo of her looking so alert and ready for action

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Septimia - hear, hear.
Of course a hyperactive greyhound like Hattie here might be à challenge
Seriously these gentle dogs come in a variety of sizes - not all are the size of a small pony -girls especially can be the size of a dainty version of a Labrador.
You are unlikely to trip over a dog that comes up to your knees
They need very little exercise (and on the lead so no charging about)
They are not inbred so have few of the physical or behavioural weaknesses of pedigree dogs
They do not have an aggressive bone in their body and are just so grateful for your company and love.
They are generally fine to be left for a few hours if you need to go out but love your company best of all.
They need next to no grooming - short haired so so mud all over the place and no dog groomer fees
Do please look at a website such as the Greyhound Trust or your local retired greyhound rescue.
Additionally they are retired mostly on account of age (3-4!) occasionally injury ,but also because greyhound stadiums are closing all the time.
Hattie is my fourth - is there a better recommendation?
All my hounds have come house trained, neutered and fully health checked too.
PS they don’t have to be allowed on the sofa - I’m just soft that way!
A responsible greyhound rescue site will take care to match you with the right dog and will provide support and advice if necessary.
You are welcome to pm me if I can give any more specific help.

I meant PM mawbe!

TrendyNannie westies can be pretty lively!

I would also go for a rescue Greyhound, DBF and his husband have one, and she is so loving.
Will go for a walk if YOU want to, but happy to do her business and go home for a cuddle.
She had never been with children but when DGS and I visited for a few weeks last year she fell completely in love.

We had a Pembroke corgi when I was very young lovely dogs, and have had dogs and cats all my life. Wow I wouldn’t have suggested a sheepdog with all that energy tho, what about a westie? Although never owned one myself we generally go for German Shepard’s ( working dogs) it sounds as you would love a dog more than a cat, I certainly wouldn’t give up on the idea no way! It’s great to go out for walks do you the world of good,

Actually, "little" dogs can be more of a trip hazard, far more likely to get under your feet!

Septimia, your suggestion of a greyhound is a good one, not everyone's idea of the ideal pet dog, many are drawn towards the smaller "cute" breeds, but they are quite happy with a pootle about at walk time, just make sure you've got room on the sofa, they do like to stretch out!

You could on Mawbe for the inside story!