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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To adopt an 11 year old dog?

276 replies

ReasonablyIntelligent · 14/05/2019 12:01

I'm finally returning to the UK after having spent almost 4 years working away across various countries.

I have always been utterly desperate for a dog, I've had Border Collies before and love them.

I have my own business now so DP and I will both be working from home, we're financially stable so I think we're in a good place.
Only slight niggle is that we talked about doing some travelling, which we couldn't with a dog.

I always expected to get a puppy when we were ready, but I've been keeping my eye on the local dog shelters and have fallen in love with an 11 year old border collie at our nearest one. (not actually met her tho)

I love the idea of rehoming a dog, particularly one who may be struggling to find a home (at a guess her age may be putting people off).
However I've some concerns about rescue collies in general (I've had one and he was so damaged, bless him. Border Collies are high needs and it can go bad when those needs aren't met).
Also, an 11 year old Collie only has 3-4 years left - so I'd be setting myself up for heartbreak really very soon (I know that's really selfish).
On the other side (and I'm aware this is an awful thing to think), she'd be lower commitment than a puppy time wise.

Im not concerned about supporting her through old age, we have the time and money.

AIBU to consider it with such reservations? Is there any factors I've not thought of?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
19
AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 15/05/2019 11:33

If I was home checking, then so long as the carpets were just scruffy not very filthy, I would be unconcerned.

In fact, I'd be more concerned if your home resembled a show home, on the basis that you might not cope with the inevitable dog hair, odd accident or the remains of a chewed up toy spread across your lounge.

MaMaMaMySharona · 15/05/2019 11:39

Ahh she is beautiful!

I adopted an 8.5 year old staffie cross in 2012 and it was the best thing I ever did. Unfortunately he passed away in August last year, but I was so happy that I'd be able to give him the life that he deserved.

I promise you won't regret it!

Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 15/05/2019 12:11

We've currently got a few holes in the walls for the electrician - I'm very much hoping that this will be fixed very soon. They're not dangerous at all (all at human head height or above) but it looks ugly.
DP is tiling the chimney breast in the living room which should be done this week.
We've got nothing major planned, the electrician just needs to finish wiring the kitchen and then we fill the holes and paint over - no knocking down walls or anything.

OP posts:
Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 15/05/2019 12:13

EEEEEEEE they're on their way to the shelter (DP and his Mum, who loves any excuse to look at animals)

OP posts:
Ridunclosity · 15/05/2019 12:18

We adopted a 11 year Dachshund, a trip to the vet told us that he would be lucky to reach Christmas..... 4 Christmases later he is still with us and the most wonderful senior gentleman.

Senior dogs are a great introduction for a first time owner like your DP.

Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 15/05/2019 12:35

We're not allowed to reserve until I meet her Sad

Which I know makes sense but the earliest I can get there is 27th May

OP posts:
Catchingbentcoppers · 15/05/2019 12:40

Oh I'm excited for you! Keep us posted!

Defenbaker · 15/05/2019 12:43

Good luck OP. Sounds like timing could be perfect... hopefully your home improvements will be more or less finished by the time you return to the UK, just in time to go and meet the dog.

It's frustrating that you can't reserve her, but rehoming older dogs is not always easy so you can understand why the rescue centre would not want to turn away another prospective adopter, if someone else comes along in the meantime. In that case you'll know it was not meant to be, but there are always plenty of older dogs needing good homes, so I'm sure you won't have to wait long for another lovable dog.

Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 15/05/2019 13:05

I understand about the no reserving thing, the important bit is she gets a good home obviously. Hopefully that'll end up being us

To adopt an 11 year old dog?
To adopt an 11 year old dog?
OP posts:
AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 15/05/2019 13:08

It's frustrating you can't reserve her until the 28th, but it has to be said that 11yo collies aren't often snapped up so you've a decent chance.

Perhaps your DP could go back to walk her in the meantime to show commitment? Just so long as he could manage if someone else reserved her first.

Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 15/05/2019 13:19

DP has messaged:

We've had our time now and sounds like we can't reserve this long. There's only been 1 person interested in the time she's been here though and they've said no cos they'd have to leave her for too long. I have to call back the day before you come back to see if she's still here and can put a temp reserve on then

OP posts:
Disfordarkchocolate · 15/05/2019 13:20

I hope you manage to adopt her, the fact that you have breed experience is really good.

GreigLaidlawsbarofsoap · 15/05/2019 13:43

Great idea from avocado about DH popping back to spend more time with her until you can get back OP. Hopefully it will help your cause!

Mayalready · 15/05/2019 14:27

I hope you have a very valid reason for not being able to pop home op!!
Angry

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 15/05/2019 14:34

@Mayal she's working abroad? She very much wants to be in the UK and will be soon, so she doesn't have to explain the minutiae of her life to you.

No idea why there's an angry face - the dog will go to a good home at the end of the month, or sooner. It's not that long in the grand scheme of things.

Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 15/05/2019 15:42

@Mayalready

I live in Russia and my contract doesn't end until 27th May Confused
It's a 4 hour drive to the airport, 3 hour flight and 2 hour drive home. With waiting times etc it's about a 10-12 hour journey.

OP posts:
FleurNancy · 15/05/2019 23:17

Oh I hope you manage to work it out. We rehomed a 13yo spaniel a couple of years ago as a favour to a friend. He was only with us for 4 months before he died of a cancer associated issue but he had a lovely end of life with us and we all adored him.

ColdNeverBotheredMeAnyway · 15/05/2019 23:26

Oh bless you OP, I really hope this works out for you.

Sounds like you've already convinced yourself that adopting an older dog is a wonderful idea. Such a lovely thing to do.

I really hope she's the one for you, but if for some reason it doesn't work then I'm sure the right one will pop up soon enough.

Good luck and please update!!!

dancerdog · 15/05/2019 23:29

We adopted an eleven year-old fabulous cross collie.

Dougal was just a wonderful dog, we were in his thrall!

Not long after we got him , I found a lump on his neck, which turned out to be a mast cell tumour. There are not survivable after a certain amount of time, I understand. We had it removed twice, and he did die after the certain amount of time, ie 2 years. However, those two years were brilliant. I would do it all again for the way he enriched our family life and how, I hope, we made his last years a lot of fun and full of love and affection for him.

Dougal was the oldest dog we have adopted. Three dogs later, we still talk about him and his exploits.

I still look for older dogs as they seem to be more settled, know what they like and let you know it.

It's hard to imagine what a poor old dog feels when cast adrift - go for it, get your dog and show them what a happy life is!

dancerdog · 15/05/2019 23:31

Actually, we don't really know what kind of dog Dougal was. He was just a good dog. Sigh.

Catchingbentcoppers · 16/05/2019 08:38

I hope you have a very valid reason for not being able to pop home op!!
Angry

What's with the anger on your part @Mayalready? If you'd bothered to even read the OP you'd have seen she's working abroad. I hope that's a good enough reason for you, not that it's your business anyway.

OP I'm so hoping this works out for you.

Hearthside · 16/05/2019 11:30

OP Border Collies are fantastic dogs .I recently had to have our nearly 18yr old Border Collie to sleep . Broke all our hearts especially our eldest DC who was 5 when we got her .They are amazing , clever and loyal and often live to a good age .Our's went off her legs Sad.We also have a 13yr old springer, mad as a box of frogs , will only listen to me and one DC Grin we are his hoomans .Totally ignores other DC and DH and he still loves a good walk in the fields with our other dogs. Definitely go for it OP you wont regret it .

Hearthside · 16/05/2019 11:33

She is beautiful too op ❤.

Mrsboombastic99 · 16/05/2019 11:34

I think adopting an older dog is a lovely thing to do. My mum had a collie cross who lived until the ripe old age of 21Smile

harriethoyle · 16/05/2019 11:47

My most recent rescue was at least 8 when we got him (although that's a guestimate as not chipped). Adopting older dogs is a wonderful thing to do!