AIBU to bring a puppy into a home with a 12 year old dog?

[MrsGloop]

Posting from traffic, as In the Doghouse doesn’t get much.

Briefly, we have a 12 year old lab mix who we’ve had since 12 weeks old. We also have three children - 9, 6 and 3.

We went to a rescue adoption event this weekend and were besotted with a 10-week-old mutt. He’s adorable, and we had a home visit which went well.

Only concern is our 12 year old dog. She didn’t seem too terribly impressed with the new pup. Growled when puppy got too close, which was not unexpected, but then just basically ignored her.

I am going back and forth between “it’ll be nice for her to have a companion” and “she’ll feel rejected/replaced/resentful and she’ll spend her last months/years unhappy.”

We need to let the rescue know today, and we just don’t know what to do.

Anyone have experience - good or bad - of introducing a puppy to an old dog?

Its much safer to rehome a younger dog to a family with young children than an older dog.
I am a homechecker for a rescue and wouldn't turn a family down on the basis they have young children.

In terms of the older dog, I guess it depends on whether he is use to other dogs? The growling is to be expected and not to worry about.
sometimes a puppy rejuvenates an older dog, sometimes they just want peace. My first dog really hated my new puppy to start with -now they curl up and are best friends.

Only you know your dog and whether he will be able to put up with a puppy.