Adopting an older dog.

I will never understand people who say they’ll never have another dog because of the pain of losing one.
Death is part of everyone’s life. A pet is part of our family but we know they will die.
Would you never marry because your spouse will die or go on holiday because it will end?
If a beloved pet gave you years of joy then embark on another to give you more of the same.

My late dh and I always had dog home lurchers and now I have the last of our four darling dogs left. He is 14 and had heart failure which is costing me a fortune in meds. I absolutely dread the day he will go as he is the last of our hounds. I cannot imagine life without a dog and the thought of coming home to an empty house... Will definitely consider another rescue, from UK or abroad.

I just want to say how much I have enjoyed reading this thread. Dog lovers are such interesting people and this has given me so much enjoyment to know where is a veritable army of dog owners, fosters and adopters out there.

I've wondered for decades when they're going to make it more difficult to own a dog?
We got our darling Jack Russell cross from a rescue lady and the hoops we had to jump through 😅 it was heartening!! She visited us twice once arranged once "I a just in area" - from 40 ;miles away?........any way we had him for 16 glorious and hilarious years after he had false starts as a Christmas puppy ( he's biting the kiddies) to a ratter( he's too friendly and plays with the rats.......!) To so some wanting him for vile reasons I won't go into but a common pastime here in Lancashire......... The number of idiots on TV getting then ditching lockdown pups is horrendous!! I used to get folks saying to me " ooh he's lovely we thinking of getting one!" Me: he didn't arrive in this condition, he was wild, bitey rampant had to be the trained.... strictly! And needs constant vigilance, still want one? Their embarrassed faces and quick exit said it all! Chocolate box dogs start on out an very mischievous pups who, untrained will tear anything apart on a whim! It's their nature and they deserve better than us using them as accessories! Rant of the day over..... And nope I'm not getting another as we won't have the same effort to dedicate to one now we're older, we want our freedom so have made the choice without the suffering of a neglected pup!

The rescue centre I help is fit to bursting at the moment and there's loads of puppies. There were over 30 puppy farmed pups heading to England by boat, but they were intercepted at the docks thank goodness. They are now in the care of a couple of rescue centres awaiting their new homes. These hateful money grabbing people are the scum of the earth and there needs to be more done to stop it and to hear Rosina that a Cruft official has been doing it is awful.
There's a Romanian dog at our shelter, rescued by a lovely girl who then suddenly passed away. The dog isn't doing well in kennels and you're heart breaks for her.
Dogs are wonderful, I adore them more than most people. Rescue dogs all the way 💞

Love, love, love reading all through this thread. My elderly girl is causing me consternation currently as she’s approaching 15 and being held together with occasional doses of steroids and I know this can’t happen for much longer. I’m anxious for the 7 year old and keep trying to remember to take him on his own to build his self confidence for whenever the inevitable happens. He’s been with her since he was a puppy, though not hers.
But I do find it heartbreaking seeing her fade and no longer enjoy her best life. As much as the medication gives her a boost it’s no more than that and not a long term solution.

i worked as a volunteer at Dogs Trust near me until i moved and no such charity now near me but working at a charity is not only rewarding but a way of giving something back to dogs made homeless by no fault of their own if you live near animal charity why not see if they need volenteers

I volunteer as a home boarder with Barking Mad I highly recommend it

Alioop and Letitbleed - thank you both. I've read today that a Cruft's official has been charged with keeping dogs in bad conditions, and that he is responsible for puppy farming on a huge scale. If only people didn't keep buying these poor puppies, churned out from dogs that are exhausted with breeding, and instead helped abandoned dogs that need homes.

netflixfan

Our beloved 6 year old whippet had to be put to sleep 2 weeks ago. I’m heartbroken. But maybe an older dog who has been loved could come to live with us. But where do you get one? The ones I see in kennels look mad and usually are gnarly breeds!

This made me laugh 🤣
I’ve had a rescue (albeit from a relative) bit of a nightmare as a chewer of furniture, and anything else he could get his teeth into. He lived till he was 16 - and with hard work, did improve. Lasted nine month before I couldn’t wait for another dog. Tried RSPCA but wanted a puppy. Bought from a farmer. Runt of the litter, a real scaredy cat. She lived to 14.5 yo
Then circumstances changed and no dog…. Now live alone … not suitable to be accepted as an adoptee etc, as no garden. Missed the company etc. Bought during end of lockdown. Previous owner had only had him 4 weeks, so, yes a PUPPY and me over 70 with a hip replacement. He’s great! Gets me up in the morning (no more 10 am lie ins in winter! Yes, many drawbacks … very tying, expensive (never insured or pet health insured a dog before) … but the joy … need I say more?

Oh Rosina, beautifully put!

My 3 rescue dogs have been a joy over many years. My first was. Nip and was of unknown age. We got hin from a news paper and after my daughter plagued me for hours I gave in. We had him for 11 years and he was the best rescue anyone could have asked for. I've since had 2 more. I lost Tilly in June this year after 8 years. She was the quietest most placid and biddable little dog anyone could ever have. I've had Hattie for 3 years and know she is over 11 years old and getting older. I will be heartbroken again when she goes but the joy and companionship these 3 dogs have given me is beyond belief and worth every broken heart and tear just to have the pleasure of looking after them all.. You shouldn't look too far ahead. If we all did that we would never do anything because it might hurt.

Rosina that's so true and said in such a lovely and heartfelt way. 💞

I have just filled in the application form to foster for one of the local rescue centres and hope that they don't have a similar attitude to foster homing as , apparently, Dog's Trust. I read the earlier post and recognised us from the poster's description.
It has taken us 2 years to decide that maybe we could take in another dog, even at our advancing ages, after many happy dogowning years, so I must now wait to see if we can be considered suitable.
Our first dog was bought as a puppy and he set us off on the wonderful journey of having a canine companion. Rescues followed and older dogs became much loved family members for the rest of their lives. A puppy now would be too much for us.
I will wait to find out the Centre's decision. Every dog deserves a good home and loving family.

I fully understand why you don't want another dog. The heartbreak of losing a pet is awful. Even more so if you have never had children. I know it is totally selfish but I can't have another animal . I thought about becoming a dog walker via the Cinnamon trust but as yet I've not completed the paperwork.

I am bereft without a dog - these wonderful companions have been part of my life since I was a small child. It is heart wrenching when they die, but we always have another, and always a rescue. Dogs have nothing in the world's terms; nothing they can leave to anyone, except the hope that their owners will make the life of another one of their kind happy and peaceful. That is their legacy - the hope that what they have given to us will inspire us to go on with another dog companion. I feel sad when people say that they won't have another because it is too upsetting - the price of love is high, but who would want a life without it?

I adopted an older dog from Romania three years ago after my beautiful Border Collie died and she has been an absolute joy. If everyone that lost a dog never adopted one again the poor dogs especially the older ones would never be given a chance. Go for it and enjoy every minute.

Although I am not a dog lover we did have a dog who lived alongside my children and was part of the family. When she died aged fifteen I had a rescue dog but she was so mad, lively and disobedient. However a neighbour took her on and loved her. I never had another dog being a cat lover.

All my dogs have been rescued or re homers. The day they pass away is awful and dreaded, but I know I've given these unwanted dogs a much loved home. When I lost my beloved collie two years ago I felt that I'd honour her and take on another rescue, not to ever replace her but felt that she would have wanted me to give to another what she had and enjoyed. I have now a Romanian rescue and although she's been far from easy, has now settled and is very much loved. Thanks to my past dogs for showing me the way. Please think of the SO many lovely animals in need of a home of their own, you'll feel so much better for doing this. Obviously when you're ready, they give you so much in return. X

We adopted an old Golden Retriever who was having a pretty hard time - she was fed, but locked up alone for most of the day and all night. What a gentle, wonderful old girl she was - we had her for two years and she was a joy. Calm, loving, a great pillow on the rug for the baby to sleep on, and never regretted for one moment.

There are pet sitting organisations whereby you are entrusted with a dog for say a week or two whilst the owner is on holiday. The organisation matches you up with dogs eg big, small, space available, activity level. You are given an infirmation sheet basically likes and dislikes, diet regime and, you are paid. Used this kind of service many times for my Westie until she died. Even received photos showing dog playing etc. May help fill the void of not having a pet.

My son’s elderly dog recently died. They were hoping to get another rescued dog but when they looked at the Dogs Trust and other sites it stated that every dog could only be rehomed with just adults or in a family home with teenage children or above so sadly that ruled them out as they have younger children.

netflixfan

Our beloved 6 year old whippet had to be put to sleep 2 weeks ago. I’m heartbroken. But maybe an older dog who has been loved could come to live with us. But where do you get one? The ones I see in kennels look mad and usually are gnarly breeds!

Try The greyhound trust

Oops🤭We have had 9 rescue dogs and 4 of these were older. Yes it is hard because you have to say goodbye sooner than you would with a young dog, but as they have usually had a rough time ( in Spain) we comfort ourselves with the thought that however little time they had with it was a damn good time!

We have had 9 rescue d