How can I have another dog?

Can you afford a quality insurance policy - one with "emergency boarding" in case you are ill?

PDSA Pet Insurance includes "Your hospitalisation and boarding fees" on their Lifetime Cover for example and others may do it as an extra.
​Direct Line also includes "pet boarding" in their Advanced Cover I see...

I'm not sure how this works if you just are a bit "low" or "under the weather" but certainly would kick in if hospitalised.

Then you need to look at the worst case scenario (if you were to die).
Would a charity re-home for something in your will?

Maybe have a think about adopting an older dog? I can understand why you are reluctant to get another one, but I think the companionship and love you get back from having one to look after, outweighs the ‘what happens to my dog if I can’t look after it anymore’. You can make arrangements now so if need be, your dog will be cared for. I couldn’t be without my dog. He’s only 10 months old, but oh my goodness he really is my little fur baby.

Could you offer to foster a dog for eg the greyhound trust? I know it means that the dog might be rehomed at some point but it means you are not committed to being responsible for it for the rest of it’s life; you are getting companionship and the dog is getting a proper home not just kennels ( which are never the same no matter how much they love the dogs). I do know of an elderly whippet that needs a home where it needs to be an only dog ( not reactive but is only used to being on it’s own) and just needs a garden to potter about in.

We lost our lovely dog in June. She was 13. We got her at the age of 8 when her original owner passed away. She was a small dog and very much a lap dog. We miss her so much.

We have had other dogs in the past and said that we wouldn't have another dog as they are tying and it is so upsetting when they die.

I am in a similar position as Katjoy. I would like to get another dog, mainly for the company, but worry that I am too old for a puppy. I am 68.

I would consider a rescue dog similar to our last dog. My only regret was that she was 8 when we got her so we only had 5 years with her.

I have considered contacting dog rescues but wonder if they will think I am being too picky if I say I am looking for a specific breed and a certain age limit.

I think The Dogs Trust have a scheme for people worried about what would happen to their pets if they (the owner) became ill or died.

I understand many rescues struggle to rehome older dogs so that could be something for you to investigate. Certainly when we adopted our boy, we had to sign an agreement saying that if we were no longer able to take care of him, we had to return him to the rescue.

That’s what I thought Maybee70.
I work in a rescue Center and many of our dogs have had their owners die and it’s so sad seeing them come from a home where they have been loved all their life and suddenly they are in a cold outside kennel with other dogs barking away.
Sometimes foster parents make friends with others and the dogs are always cared for in emergencies or when you want to go away.
Give it some thought please.

Another one here suggesting rescue or foster an older dog
Some charities will place as foster so help with vet bills etc

There will be a lonely older dog in a rescue centre just waiting for someone like you to take them home Katjoy. I hope you find him/her soon.

Have a look at the Cinnamon Trust website. They look for forever foster carers for dogs whose owners have had to go into care or have sadly passed away. As a forever foster carer the dog is placed with you for the rest of its life, although it remains the responsibility of the Cinnamon Trust.They pay for all the costs of pet, vets bills etc and provide holiday cover and if you were unable to continue to care for the pet then they would take it back into their care. All the details are on their website under forever fostering. Worth having a look. Good luck.

Will rescues rehome to older people ? I ve heard a lot of people who don’t get accepted because of their age

In her later years, my mil fostered a series of older dogs whose owners were ill or who needed care themselves. Some only stayed with her for a month or two until their owners recovered, some stayed longer until they themselves died.

You do have to be able to live them and then lose them, the same as human foster parents but I know it gave her much satisfaction.

She had the assurance that if she became unable to look after the current dog, the charity would take the dog back.

It was a local independently run charity but the Cinnamon Trust sounds very similar.

As Heathcliff2352 says the Cinnamon Trust looks for carers but I think if you re- home a dog yourself and are then unable to look after it they will take over its care. Have a look at their website:
Cinnamon.org.uk

Some rescue places like to ave volunteers to come in and play with the dogs, or even siy and read to them.

Such a beautiful girl, Katjoy, and I can understand how lonely you must feel. Lots of recommendations here, so I would suggest you contact every local dog rescue centre, with a view to adopting an older dog, preferably without issues, who will easily fit in with your lifestyle, and become your close companion.

Lots of useful advice as usual very informative. Good luck Katjoy

Have a look at the Cinnamon Trust UK who can arrange volunteers to walk your dog for free if you are feeling poorly.

A lady in my village also my DD mil they are both mid 70s and both rescue older dogs that need a slow stroll and a comfy sofa and when they pass away the ladies both get the next old girl that needs love and a comfy sofa. You have love to give to an older dog, so I’d contact a local rescue if they don’t have one to suit I’m sure they can point you in the right direction or google if there is a place local to you. Good luck please come back and let us know 🐶

You are an experienced and loving dog owner, with plenty of years in you yet! Please do consider some of the suggestions that have been made here - you still have so much to give. And you know how doggy people meet other doggy people - you may well meet someone who will help out if ever you are incapacitated. Or you may well be the one helping out. Do some research about the Cinnamon Trust to reassure yourself. My daughter knows someone with ankylising spondylitis - when she’s too poorly to walk her dog, the CT arrange for someone to do this - it doesn’t have to be full on foster care.
And don’t worry about something that hasn’t happened, when you could be enjoying the company of a dog that really needs you.

An older dog could be the answer, as others have said.
A relative of ours, now in her early 80’s, got a retriever puppy 12 years ago, and with our consent, has it written into her will that ddog comes to us if she passes before the dog. Would you be able to organise something like that to put your mind at rest?

You can sign up with The Dog’s Trust for a scheme where they guarantee to give your dog a home or find a home should you die. Also The Cinnamon Trust has volunteer walkers who walk dogs for those too frail to do so. I think if you could give an older rescue dog a home surely it is better it lives with you than in kennels? As you like Schnauzers contact Schnauzer Rescue to see what their policy is. If all else fails you could foster for a rescue or join Borrow My Doggy and have regular time with one or more local dogs. Go for it!

If it was me I’d make arrangements for its care if the worst happened….then I’d put that aside… and get a rescue dog. You’re not that old and many dogs desperately need a loving home….go ahead!

Do contact www.barkingmad.uk.com/become-a-dog-sitter/ and see if they have a branch in your area. If so, you could become a host for dogs whose owners are on holiday or travelling for work. The great thing about this company is that the local franchisee is your 24/7 support. Whilst they rely on you to routinely honour commitments they will step in very quickly if you are poorly or have a domestic crisis and find an alternative host. This isn't an income generation scheme for the host but there is a small daily stipend paid as acknowledgement and thanks. The dog's are carefully matched to your preferences and brought to your home with everything they need for their holiday. Barking Mad provides insurance and are a licensed service and in the unlikely event a guest dog becomes poorly they will sort the vet visit etc. It's a lovely service that provides one to one care for dogs and if you want to you can get together at social events with other hosts. Give it a try because I'm sure you'd love it!

I've always had lots of animals ,but now I don't.
It's very expensive and I can't stand the pain of losing them .
I think that you have to be realistic and have a contingency plan .
Last year friends were trying to get me to adopt a cat and a dog .

Despite my kind and well meaning neighbour promising to look after them if I went away I said no .
She was the source of both animals through her sister -a nurse at the local vet surgery .
They were both very enthusiastic about my having them .

I haven't seen her for a few days .
I'm not sure where she is and when she's returning.
She's gone on yet another holiday but didn't mention it when I saw a great deal of her last week .
Over the last three years she disappears for long periods .
I've come to realise that people make sorts of promises ,
but don't always live up to them.
I'm really glad that I didn't adopt either .

I am 81 and a few months ago I joined Borrow My Doggie. (www.borrowmydoggie.com) you register and say what kind of dog you are looking for. Within a couple of days I was contacted by a lovely young mum living only a few streets away. I borrow her miniature rough-haired dachshund about twice a week. We have a lovely time together before I take him home to “mum”.