Rehome an older dog or put to sleep?

Rehome an older dog or put to sleep?

Author
Discussion

norush

Original Poster:

293 posts

139 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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As per title, what's the kindest option for a 12 year old healthy dog whose owner is going into care and is unable to take her dog which she's had from 8 weeks old? Will the dog pine for her owner or will she adapt to a new home?

Has anyone rehomed an older dog in a similar situation and how did the dog cope with being separated from it's owner? The lady in question thinks it would be kinder to have the dog put to sleep, but I personally am struggling with this option. Any and all comments welcomed.

moorx

3,480 posts

113 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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I have adopted two elderly dogs - one at approximately 10 years old and one at approximately 12 years old.

They both adapted very well to their new life, with no more issues than any other dog I've adopted.

Obviously, it depends on the dog, but generally I would say that it is perfectly possible for an elderly dog to adapt.

Not that it will necessarily be easy to find a new home, of course frown but there are people out there who love the oldies (myself included). Personally, I love the oldies more than puppies.

There is a rescue specialising in elderly dogs http://www.oldies.org.uk/

What type of dog is it?

norush

Original Poster:

293 posts

139 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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I believe it's a cross welsh/english springer accident; lovely temperament though and would be a shame to have her put down, imho.

Davel

8,982 posts

257 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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Surely it's worth a try at least.

The poor thing deserves a chance and is healthy,,,

Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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Most dogs rehome fairly well.

0a

23,879 posts

193 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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I think you underestimate the number of people that would be happy to take on an older dog.

My parents have retired and will be looking for a dog once they have sorted themselves out. This will be their first dog for many years.

They would rather start with a quiet, calm and older dog that they can give a nice home to for a few years rather than a young, energetic one.

Our local dog home seems to rehome such dogs quite easily.

norush

Original Poster:

293 posts

139 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
quotequote all
The current owner is the one who thinks it would be kinder to have her put down, not me. I need to be able to reassure her that the dog will be happy in a new home, but whether I can is a different matter. She is convinced the dog will pine for her and would not be happy, hence the reason she'd rather have her put to sleep. I'm not a dog psychiatrist so have no idea whether she's right or wrong.

PositronicRay

26,954 posts

182 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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I'd try to talk her round, she'll hate herself for putting the dog down.

Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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norush said:
I'm not a dog psychiatrist so have no idea whether she's right or wrong.
She is wrong.


Piglet

6,250 posts

254 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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Talk to the oldies club and Springer rescues, there are a lot of people who will take dogs like this. Where about is the dog?

If you use Facebook look for 'it's a spring thing' which is a springer group, there are lots of rescue folk there.

moorx

3,480 posts

113 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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Lots of Springer rescues:

English Springer Spaniel Rescue - North East
Liz & Nev Preston, Yorkshire. Tel: 01924 871431
Mrs Cynthia Turvey Tel: 01670 760346

English Springer Spaniel Welfare
Cathy Darcey, Mid/W Surrey & NE Hants. Tel: 01252 675611. Email: c.darcey@sky.com
Linda Ralph, N Kent, SE London & E Surrey. Tel: 01689 823110. Email: lindaw31@hotmail.com
Alison Butcher, N/NW Somerset (not Bristol). Tel: 01934 842238. Email: russetsfel@aol.com
Mrs Rebecca Downie, N Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk. Tel: 01473 658314. Email: et.downie@btinternet.com
Mrs Abby Bourn, E & SE Kent. Tel: 01303 840302. Email: abby.bourn@hotmail.co.uk
Mrs Louise Brown, Hants & W Sussex. Tel: 01730 716437. Email: lb@louisevbrown.plus.com
Mrs Sandy Waldon, N Devon, NE Cornwall. Tel:01237 451991. Email: info@petsreflected.co.uk
Jo Lander, Bath, NE Somerset to Mid West Wilts. Tel: 01225 311634. Email: joanne.lander@virgin.net
Ms I Hirst, S Essex & SE Herts. Tel: 0208 5911540
Hilary Ritchie, SE Somerset & Mid/W Dorset. Tel: 01963 250838. Email: hilaryr@estatesgazette.net
Miss Selina Clarke - Co-ordinator, SW Devon/NE Cornwall. Tel: 01752 691579. Email: 01essw@gmail.com
Mrs M Kibble, SE Wales, S Hereford & W Glos. Tel: 01989 770926
www.essw.co.uk

Just Springers Rescue
Liz Austin - Redhill, Surrey. Tel: 01737 767844
www.justspringerrescue.co.uk

North West English Springer Spaniel Rescue
Liz Emmott, Lancashire. Tel: 01282 697692, 0151 4247555. Email: emmoeliz@aol.com
Liz & Mick Emmott - National Co-ordinators Dogs in Need. Email: emmoeliz@aol.com
Carole Dainty - Co-ordinator. Tel: 01254 390841
Kath Burrows, East Lancs. Tel: 01706 227831
Ann Clegg, Lancaster. Tel: 01524 811847
Karen Thomson, Cumbria. Tel: 01228 537346 (evenings)
Ian Hague - Merseyside & Cheshire. Tel: 0151 2607139
Rachael Wannell, Hereford, West Midlands & South Staffs. Tel: 01432 341770
Email: rachaelwannelle@supernet.com
www.englishspringerrescue.org.uk

South Yorkshire English Springer Spaniel Rescue
Heather Pointer, South Yorkshire. Tel: 01709 760020
Email: mail@syessr.co.uk

Springer Rescue for Scotland
Mary Hanney, Lanarkshire. Tel: 01236 428422 Email: rehoming@springerrescuescotland.org

Welsh Springer Spaniel Rescue and Rehoming Scheme
Mrs Kay Bryant, South Wales & Three Counties. Tel: 01684 311018
Ms Shenton, South West. Tel: 01934 741949
Lesley Tairn, West Yorkshire. Tel: 01484 640755
Diane Monday, Northamptonshire. Tel: 01604 408196
Julie Exail, Surrey. Tel: 01342 841631
Tina Crockford, South Coast & Isle of Wight. Tel: 01329 230894
Ms Sabina Baker, East Anglia. Tel: 01603 278013
Ms R Dairymple, Scotland. tel: 01236 830010
Ms Brenda Frost, Merseyside. Tel: 07967 246076 / 0151 2845860
Mrs Sandra Bell, North Wales. Tel: 01691 860345
Ms Doreen Gately, North West England. Tel: 0161 9983911
Mrs Joy Hartley, South Yorkshire. Tel: 01302 834148
Mrs Thelma Ritchie, Cumbria. Tel: 01768 899057
Mrs Rita Cemis, Warwickshire. Tel: 01789 296881
Ms Val Roach, Hampshire. Tel: 023 92550806
Jackie Larmer, Kent & Essex. Tel: 01959 525880
Mrs H Riley - Co-ordinator, North Yorksire. Tel: 01325 718055
Ms Pag Lazenby, London. Tel: 01908 550275
Sue Taylor, Lincolnshire. Tel: 01522 510990



highflyer

1,897 posts

225 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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norush
Please don't let her put the old girl to sleep email me directly if she really wants to do this
regards
Russell

norush

Original Poster:

293 posts

139 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
quotequote all
Thanks all for your comments; if I didn't live in an apartment with a no dogs policy I'd happily take her in myself. The crux of this is trying to convince the owner that the dog wouldn't pine for her; any dog psychiatrists on PH?

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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Good replies already. Can depend on the dog but my parents took on a 12yr old poodle and he had a lovely 4 extra yrs with them (owners wanted him PTS but my vet refused) however yrs ago I was involved in the euthanasia of a large 13yr old crossbreed, horrendous situation I knew dog and owners personally, Owner passed away no family members able to take on (my parents would have but our dog at the time hated dogs!) We knew her well enough too know she would not cope being in kennels. I was with her at the end and felt hugely responsible frown. She was called Biscuit smile(her O' was sister of actress Jean Simmons)

I should add that even though I would not usually agree with the decision I do believe for Biscuit it was the right thing to do probably because I knew her and her life.

Edited by bexVN on Saturday 24th January 19:28

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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We have taken on a couple of older dogs, Weimaraner's as well which are known as being very clingy, and they take around a week to totally settle into their new life.
Not a year, not 6 months, not a month, but a few days.

I would put the old girl down first and save the dog, but that is me just being an ahole as she has annoyed me.


Morningside

24,110 posts

228 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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We rehomed a 12.5 year old dachshund after her owner went senile. Dear girl lived for another three years and fitted in very well with our other two dogs.

And some elderly people love older dogs compared to a mad puppy.

dmitsi

3,583 posts

219 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
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Another group who deal with this is the cinnamon trust.

www.cinnamon.org.uk

0a

23,879 posts

193 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
quotequote all
norush said:
The current owner is the one who thinks it would be kinder to have her put down, not me. I need to be able to reassure her that the dog will be happy in a new home, but whether I can is a different matter. She is convinced the dog will pine for her and would not be happy, hence the reason she'd rather have her put to sleep. I'm not a dog psychiatrist so have no idea whether she's right or wrong.
As harsh as it sounds, dogs want an ordered home and to be fed with a comfortable place to sleep. I do think dogs get to understand their owner, but I also think they get to know a new home (one which provides amusement, a good place to sleep, a good amount of exercise) that can replace the original.

My family have a farm and have rehomed dogs from unsuitable situations (it annoys me - an Alsatian kept in a council house and never walked: moved to our farm as a 'guard dog' - now that's a happy dog!) and they are all okay.

The dog in question may be happier out of an old person's house and in another household that can better take it out and about.

Do not let it be put down, please.

dudleybloke

19,717 posts

185 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
I would put the old girl down first and save the dog, but that is me just being an ahole as she has annoyed me.
Gets my vote.

moorx

3,480 posts

113 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
I would put the old girl down first and save the dog, but that is me just being an ahole as she has annoyed me.
I think that's a little unfair, TBH. All of us with dogs like to think that they are devoted to us, and many people feel that their dog would be miserable without them. Particularly, probably, this lady, who has owned the dog all its life. She may also be worried about her elderly dog going into kennels - I can understand this. I am a staunch supporter of rescues, but older dogs can struggle in kennels. (I realise that not all rescues use kennels, by the way).

So whilst I don't agree with her, I can sympathise with her. It must be terrible to be in her position.