Adopting an old boy - am I crazy?

[ladybee28]

Have been toying with the idea of dog ownership ever since I settled in a new country 4 years ago.

I grew up with dogs, spent a lot of my 20s working on farms around the world, and recently moved into a rental, alone, in a pretty rural area in Spain. Now feels like it might be 'the time'.

If I go ahead with getting a pooch, I want it to be an adoption - and I'm not bothered about having a 'cute puppy'. Perfectly happy to skip that (and the teenager stage, and the chewing, and the toilet training, etc.) and just focus on settling an adult dog into their new home and building a relationship.

And now I've seen an old fellow. He's 10, but in good health. Chilled, well-behaved, gets on with other animals, happy in cars, walks well on a leash, great recall... and he looks like he probably drinks whisky, plays a mean game of cards and has some stories to tell.

Not going to lie, he seems too good to be true.

I've sent the refuge a message to find out more, but taking a step back for a second, am I being ridiculous here?

Am I setting myself up to fall madly in love with a hound I'm probably going to lose within a few years?

What are the sensible questions I should be asking myself before I let the love-mist set in completely?

I would of course get pet insurance and make sure vet bills etc. were covered, but what else should I consider before I think about committing to an OAP?

[Geometricprince]

I don't know about any of your practical questions op but you and he both sound ace and made for each other. I'm sorry I know that's not helpful at all!

[Windyatthebeach]

We took on a known ddog that didn't have a nice life. She was 8. Would have had her whatever her age!!
Sounds like his retirement plan is down to you op!!
No playing cards for money though!!

[Geometricprince]

I suppose you could think about things like breed, size, life expectancy. But then on the other hand you could just think about how happy you could make each other for the time you've got together (I'm a bit over invested in this )

[AwrightDoreenTakeAFuckinDayOff]

Just consider the love you have to give and to receive. You have the rest covered. 💕 x

[Chillipeanuts]

“Am I setting myself up to fall madly in love with a hound I'm probably going to lose within a few years?”

Yes, probably. But better to have loved and lost ........

[BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo]

Yes you will fall madly in love and yes you will be broken hearted when he dies, however you will have given that homeless dog a loving home for his final years and he won’t be stuck in a kennel in a rescue centre, Its a wonderful thing to do, I think you and he will be very happy together.

As for practical questions, do you have enough time for daily walks?, playtime?, have you considered that you life will be restricted as you will always have to think about getting home for the dog, what about holidays, will he be able to travel with you? Do you work as dogs can’t be left all day? That’s just a few off the top of my head.

[littlealexhorne]

Would you be crazy? No, I think you'd be doing a really lovely thing, giving the poor old chap a safe and loving home to live out the rest of his days.

What breed is he? If he's a smaller breed he could have 5+ years left still

[stuckindoors77]

“Am I setting myself up to fall madly in love with a hound I'm probably going to lose within a few years?”

Yes, almost certainly.
But.... I rescued my old girl and got five years with her.
I was obviously devastated when she died but I wouldn't change to thing, she was an amazing dog and I have five years of happy memories.
Go for it!!

[Thisismytimetoshine]

Go for it!

[AbsolomChautney]

This is the best thing I’ve seen today. Imagine how happy he’s going to be.

[Gottalovesummer]

I think you sound lovely and so does the old boy!

Please update us and really hoping you make his dreams come true!

[Sarahlou63]

Before lockdown I used to shovel shit at the local dog home. ALL the dogs are so deserving of a home but the old ones smashed into my heart every time. Imagine what a massive difference you are going to make to his life...

[ladybee28]

Oh gosh I just burst into tears reading all of your responses... thank you so much.

@Windyatthebeach no money will be exchanged - he strikes me as someone who was a bit of a cowboy back in the day but is a classy old gent now; he'd just concede with a wink.

@Geometricprince and @littlealexhorne he's a big boy – 66cm shoulder height, which makes me think life expectancy would be on the shorter side. Breedwise, he strikes me as a mix - he actually looks a bit like an orange, foxy wolfhound with Alsatian-style ears and a beardy face... he's just gorgeous. Ridiculously gorgeous.

@BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo - I work online from home with very flexible hours, and I love to hike (I live right on the edge of some beautiful mountains), so we'd probably go for one long walk (an hour plus) per day and one shorter one. The rest of the time he'd be chilling with me in my home office or quite possibly chasing lizards in my (small) garden. I've got a terrace which is a total sun-trap in the afternoons, too, so he could have a sunbathing spot out there.

I live in a holiday destination so don't really 'holiday' much, apart from a couple of work trips per year and one or two weekends away with my partner. If I were away for work, my partner would take him, or come stay at my place with him. And if the two of us were away, I have a few good friends who would happily house-and-dog-sit for a week or so.

Great questions all - thank you! My belly's just gone all tight...

[Dobbytheelf]

You sound like you love him already, los

[AbsolomChautney]

Reading that OP, I’m quite old but will you adopt me?

[Parsley1234]

Any pictures ? Hanging around hopefully - good luck he sounds gorgeous ❤️

[Mollymalone123]

Sounds like a perfect fit- I wanted to give a home to an elderly dog who literally had a few months at best- had cancer and they wanted someone to take him on and give him all the love they could! But I had to stop myself because I knew one of my other dogs would be too high energy for him.

Elderly dogs are the best👍🏻❤️

[Haffdonga]

Do you know his history? Why is he needing a home? Has he been a street dog or badly treated?

[Felicitycity]

Do it!

[Dobbytheelf]

Sorry! You sound like you love him already, losing a dog you love is hard. But whether he's with you 6mths or 6 years you will have given him the love and the home he wouldn't have had if you pass him for whatever reason. Elderly dogs are hard, much like puppies sometimes! Need to go out more often, might have accidents, you may need to change their food as their guts may change and they might vomit etc. He might cost a bomb in insurance and on little niggles before he goes. But you'll have done the very best thing you could have done for him. Loved him and given him a person, bed, home to call his own. And when he does pass there will be a space for someone else who needs a bed, home, person. What breed is he? He sounds awesome!

[ladybee28]

@Dobbytheelf this is my problem – I fall fast and hard, and it's got me in trouble before. I've not even met the guy yet and I've gone all wide-eyed and goobly. That's why I'm trying really hard to keep the brakes on, ask the sensible questions etc. before I let myself go there!

@AbsolomChautney how hairy are you and do you play fetch?

@Haffdonga I've asked the refuge for more of his story –all they've said so far is: "So far he has lived a great life with his human, but unfortunately his owner will no longer be able to take care of him the way he needs it in the future." Sounds like he may have been a much-loved pet whose owner got sick? I'm waiting to find out more, but no, I don't think he's been abused or on the streets. Again, excellent questions!

@Parsley1234 hang tight – as long as you promise not to reverse image search and scoop him up before me!

[user1471453601]

We adopted our girl when we were told she was seven our t vet reckons she's at least ten.

YES, she has a few (!) Physical problems, but my goodness, she's loved in this house.

If you think you can love this dog, and it sounds like you can, go for it. It's not about how long you can love an animal, it's about how much you can love any animal.

[BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo]

Sounds like you can give him the life that so many dogs could only ever dream about, I hope you do adopt him and if so pictures please!

[BoreOfWhabylon]

Oh how lovely you both sound!

Do you think he could be an Andalusian Hound?

Apparently they come in small, medium and large sizes and with short, long and wire-haired coats.

[TheGonnagle]

It sounds like you’re made for each other. A perfect plan.