Desperate situation with dog / moving overseas

[dollius]

We got our dog five and a half years ago. My husband's job changed unexpectedly two and a half years ago, and is now moving us overseas, to the Middle East where we obviously cannot take our dog.
A year ago, when we found out we would be moving, my parents who live in a very large house with acres of grounds, and who have an older dog of the same breed (black labrador), said they would take our dog while we were away (prob 2 to 3 years). We fully expected to have him back when my husband's stint overseas comes to an end. This seemed like the perfect solution.
This weekend, eight weeks before we are due to leave, my parents have announced that they don't want to take our dog after all. They don't really have a good reason; they feel it is unfair on their dog to have to share with our dog/ it will be too difficult to get a someone to look after both dogs when they go on holiday etc.
I am terrified that we will not be able to find him a home (not to say heartbroken because we will clearly not be able to have him back again when we come home even if we do find another home for him and he will be sorely missed by us all).
He has chronic problems with his ears and because of his health problems, we fear we won't find him a home.
Can anyone give us advice on how to go about finding him a decent home?
He is neutered, microchipped, insured etc etc and we would be happy to provide for any future medical costs he may have. He is a really beautiful dog, very good natured, good with children and other dogs, and happy in the house and the car. Does need a fair bit of exercise and can be a bit exuberant when meeting new people (doesn't jump up or anything, just a bit over-enthusiastic), but calms down very quickly and is really no trouble.
I can't bear the thought of just leaving him with a charity or - worse - having to have him put down because of his health problems (he also had elbow dysplasia as a puppy which he had surgery for, but we have been warned he will have arthritis as an older dog).
Any advice anyone can give me will be gratefully received - we are trying all avenues right now.

[dollius]

Dogs - middle east - apparently not a good mix. Also we will be living in a flat in central Amman, no places for exercise etc. So we have been advised.

[beautifulgirls]

You could try labrador rescue. Kennel club have a rescue directory. www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/club/rescue/Default.aspx

Also worth calling your local vets too and asking if they have any clients who might be looking for a dog like yours to join their family. Just sometimes they will know someone who has sadly lost a pet who fits the bill.

[BluePyjamas]

The hardcore will pour in at any moment and tell you you are a monster. Ignore them.

Best of luck finding a home for him.

[Vallhala]

Lovey, he WON'T be put down... I'll make sure of that (am a netwrk rescuer). Sadly though if your parents aren't willing to care for him for the duration of your stay and if you can't find anyone else to do so this will mean that you will need to give him up for rehoming.

Many rescues work on a foster basis and don't have kennels so there is no reason to suppose that a rehoming organisation will place your boy in kennels. EVEN if the one you decide upon does I can promise you that the good ones (and I DO work alongside those which own kennels and/or foster out) are no kill and care hugely for their dogs even if those dogs don't have a family home until they are placed with their new family. I am a hands-on volunteer for such a rescue and would trust them with my own dogs.

Back in a mo to explain more and offer help, want you to see this and if you do to hang on til I return, DD1 wants to talk before bed, won't be long.

[Vallhala]

Sorry, back again.

As you probably know the demand upon rescue is huge, even for those of us that "know the system" and have the contacts and places like rocking horse poo. The advantage that you have is that your boy is from what you say a well mannered family dog without issues albeit with some health worries, but these you have kindly offered to cover... and trust me that will make a HUGE difference in rescue's willingness and ability to help you. A family friendly pedigree, especially a Lab, is unlikely to wait in rescue for long before being rehomed.

Just as you would if you were looking to adopt you must seek a reputable rescue to rehome... one which will assess your dog regardless of what you say (I don't doubt your honesty but we all know from experience that some owners lie to rescue when rehoming which is why all decent rescue will assess), which will maintain vaccination programmes/worming etc, which will meet ALL the prospective new family at the rescue and then in the home and assess their suitability and which will offer them both lifetime support and promise to take the dog back at any time in his life if the owner cannot keep him whilst maintaining a policy of only putting to sleep if the dog is suffering beyond help REGARDLESS of cost, time or trouble to the rescue.

In your case I think that breed rescue would be the best for you as the first port of call. I know some but mainly I work alongside all breed rescue. Am happy to help identify a suitable rescue of either kind... the one you choose may not be local to you as rescue generally accept dogs from all over the country and in some cases far beyond.

If you feel you might need my help, just say or pm me and I'll pm back with my phone number, email and references so you can check that I am who I say I am.

Whatever you do PLEASE DO NOT REHOME THROUGH FREE ADS OR SIMILAR. You mght think you have found the perfect home but they may be a front for all manner of abusers, at best they may not be able to keep the dog in months or years to come and then he WILL find himself at risk of being put to sleep as a result.

[midori1999]

Have you tried his breeder? A good one will take your dog back at any time in it's life and may be willing to or know of a family that would foster him for several years? I would personally (I am a breeder) be very happy to take back a dog for several years in the circumstances you mention.

[Gooseberrybushes]

whjere are you?

[Vallhala]

Sorry, yes midori, I should have thought of contacting the breeder if they are a reputable one. I'm so much in "rescue mode" that I forget that there is an alternative and that a pedigree would have come from a breeder in the first place and thus is an option! D'oh!

[AnyFucker]

whereabouts in the UK are you ?

[Vallhala]

Pah! "I should have thought of SUGGESTING THAT THE OP CONTACTS the breeder" is what I meant.

Am in the middle of writing a statement for submission to Parlliament for DD2s school, been at it since this afternoon and came onto MN for a break... maybe I shouldn't as my brain is clearly addled!

[RockOnMrs]

I'll have him. I grew up with a lab & a retriever. DH also grew up with many dogs (farmer's son). We have a gorgeous 5-year-old black lab bitch & 2 lovely DCs who adore animals. Our lab has displasia so I am completely used to regular vet visits, medication etc. We have a safe, secure garden, and we live right next to a wood, and 1/4 mile from the beach. PM me. We live on the South Coast. Happy for Vallhala to vet me as a potential adopter/fosterer!
This is a serious offer.

[StayingDavidTennantsGirl]

This tugged at my heartstrings - we have a chocolate lab bitch, and have wondered about another dog - but glad to see that there is an offer in place already.

[dollius]

Thanks so much for all the responses and sorry for not responding straight away. I am completely blown away by the kindness on this forum, to be honest.
I am currently on the Kent/East Sussex border, so RockOnMrs, if you are serious, then I would be really happy to come down to you and meet you. I will PM you if I can.
Unfortunately, the breeder is in the north of Scotland as we were living there when we got him. But we do have all his certificates and he has had regular vaccinations/working/de-fleaing etc.

[daisydotandgertie]

And if MrsRockOn doesn't have him, we will. We're slightly further away on the Dorset/Somerset border, have 3 black labs and masses of space and would be very happy to foster him for three years until you come home - providing we home check OK!

[StayingDavidTennantsGirl]

We're in Scotland, dollius, so would probably be too far away, but if things get desperate, we would do our best to help. My MIL lives in Hampshire, and might know someone who'd foster or adopt a lab.

Anyhow - it looks as if you have two really good potential homes for your dog, and I am just glad that Mumsnet has helped.

[CoffeeIsMyFriend]

well this is the beauty of MN. I hope the 2 offers pan out and your lovely dog enjoys his 'holiday' with a new family.

[midori1999]

Please don't rule out the breeder because they are some distance away.

We were living in Dorset when we had our last litter and recieved a phone call on the Thursday having just moved to Northern Ireland the day before from a family saying they couldn't keep their dog. (I had expected this tbh) My DH got the night ferry on the Friday, drove from Liverpool to Bournemouth, collected the dog, drove back to Liverpool, got back on the ferry and was back here with her by Sunday morning. That was all at our own cost and we did pay the owner to get her back as well. There is no way on this earth I would have wanted them to rehome her themselves and luckily we had a good enough relationship that they felt they could get in touch with us. I am very greatful to them that we did. (Dog is still with us 3 years later, obviously to stay)

[dollius]

Once again thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to respond to my distress call!
Valhalla - you have been incredibly kind and your advice is very gratefully received. If we can't find a home we are completely sure about, I will be following it to the letter!
RockOnMrs - I have PM-ed you
Daisydo - your offers sounds fantastic as well, and I will keep you posted.

[RockOnMrs]

OK, I am going to figure out how to read my first ever PM! - will get back to you shortly ...

I'm in Bournemouth, so if you're going to come here I think you should see Daisydot too - the Dorset/Somerset border is only about an hour away from here. She sounds as though she has a lot more land than we do, and you really do want to make sure you're happy with whomever you choose.

[RockOnMrs]

dollius I've emailed you

This is a first for me - I've never known a MNetter's real name before!! If I let it slip by mistake, will you get a super injunction against me?!

On a serious note, I do agree with everyone who has suggested contacting your dog's breeder (nearly let the dog's name slip there) regardless of how far away they are - they probably will want to help.

You need as many options as possible, so you can be sure you're happy with your decision. I shall not be in the least bit offended if you decide that we are not the right foster carers for your dog

Hope to hear from you soon. xx

[RockOnMrs]

P.S. Not wanting to hijack but wanted to say to *Vallhala" that I hope you got your statement written, good luck with that. When you have some spare time (!!) I would love to pick your brains as to how I could become involved in dog rescue, please ... x

[dollius]

Thanks RockOn - got your message and have replied. DaisyDo - I have PM-ed you as well.

Thanks everyone!

[daisydotandgertie]

Dollius - I've pm'd you!

[Virgowoo]

That is so nice that you seem to have got some options available now.

You may have already made your mind up but I just wanted to let you know that it is actually quite common to have a dog in Amman, although they do tend to be outdoor, rather than indoor pets. That is personal choice though, not a rule. Most apartments have outdoor space and shade, it's not really like living in a flat in the UK. Apartment blocks are much smaller and you WILL know your neighbours, whether you like it or not.

I have not taken a dog to Jordan, so please don't regard me as an expert, however, IIRC I think you just need Rabies vaccination and health certificate to transport. Think quarantine on the way back into UK though. If you're going for a couple of years, is it not an option to take him with you? It will cost of course.

Don't wish to guilt trip you, just thought I'd present another POV as you seem to love your dog but seems that you've been informed its an absolute no-no.