Adopting an old dog

[Greyhorses]

Hi everyone,

My father and step mother have seen an old dog for adoption and are considering taking her on. She is in a shelter and is due to be euthanised tomorrow if no home can be found.

She is approx 10-12 years old and comes with a variety of problems (bad teeth, lipoma) however has the sweetest temperament of all the dogs in the kennels. She has been there 7 weeks with no interest at all.

We do however no nothing about her history at all. Vet bills are not a problem however the (horrendous) shelter who are profiting from a dog like this have not attempted to treat her at all :-(

Has anyone any experience of taking on a dog like this? How will it be best to introduce her to resident bitch without upsetting her routine? Would it be best to get vet treatment ASAP or wait until she has settled?

They have until tomorrow to decide but Are worried heart is ruling head at this stage (they were originally looking for a young male and have seen this old lady!)

Thanks

[Bowlersarm]

I hope they take her, I always feel so sorry for the oldies in rescue, there through no fault of their own and always overlooked for younger dogs.

I don't have experience I'm afraid. I hope to in the future, but not whilst my existing dogs are alive (couldn't cope with more than the two I have!).

I would have thought that seeing a vet should be a matter of urgency, rather than waiting for her to settle. And the advice about introducing the dogs to each other that i have had and used, is to do it off the home territory, even if it is in the street outside the house.