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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:
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19
MrsMozartMkII · 16/05/2019 12:33

Everything crossed lass!

Once we've moved and have our house sorted I want to foster (if not adopt) the oldies and unwanteds. Need to figure out how to keep our current dogs happy and make sure all are safe and secure, but once that's done I'll be on the rounds. I know they won't have long, but at least what they'll have will be good. I've lost animals a at young ages so this way we're going in with the expectation.

Really hoping there's a lovely update from you on the 28th OP Flowers

ilovesooty · 16/05/2019 12:50

I do hope you get her!

TheHorseOnSeventhAvenue · 16/05/2019 15:15

Our Beautiful Border Collie lived to 18, and enjoyed good health right until her last 6 weeks.

I see a BC regularly in the park whose 16 and amazing.

There have been other dogs since and I have a 10 month old mutt, who I adore but still believe a female BC is the best dog in the world.

Good luck

Alsohuman · 16/05/2019 15:18

We have a friend who adopted an 11 year old Jack Russell, the cutest little dog in the world. She’d been the greatly loved companion of an old lady who died. Four years on she’s still going strong and has been given an amazing old age. Our friend will be broken when she loses her but she’s done a wonderful thing.

Whereisthegin1978 · 16/05/2019 18:47

My family adopted an old dog - I think the owner had been taken into care or was unable to look after it anymore. She was so lovely - it was really sad when she died because obviously she’d only been with us such a short time. But we gave her a good home and updated the old owner as to how she was getting on etc so helped them too knowing she was settled and being loved.

Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 16/05/2019 21:54

We found out that the one of the previous owners died, and the remaining owner couldn't cope with two dogs (turns out she has a sister, but they are being kept separate as her sister attacked her).

The previous owners kept both dogs locked in the box room upstairs during the day apparently, and would only walk them 2 to 3 times a week Sad Sad

This is awful for any dog, but especially so for Border Collies.

When asked how often we'd exercise her, we'd said minimum 2 hours a day (depending on what she was up for) and the rescue said that she'd be thrilled, cause it was no more than an hour or so a week before Angry

I'm so angry that people get dogs who can't/won't look after them.
It sounds like benign neglect to me.

OP posts:
H2OH20Everywhere · 17/05/2019 10:09

ReasonablyIntelligent - fingers crossed for you. You sound absolutely perfect for her.

You may find they reserve her for you anyway, even though it's against policy, especially as you're offering her a perfect life. I went to look at rabbits at the SSPCA many years ago - there was one listed on their website which sounded perfect for me. Had lots of character, and reminded me so much of my previous girl, even more so when I rang them up and spoke to them about her. However, they wouldn't reserve animals.

The centre was 2 hours away from me and I had to go to the city for a training course so I was able to pop in and see her, but it was too soon to collect her from my point of view (DP was building a hutch and couldn't get it ready in time). They said I was welcome to visit and then take a chance she'd still be there a week later, but they couldn't promise anything.

I met her and she was perfect. She climbed on my lap and kissed me! The staff were amazed! Turns out she'd first arrived a year before, had been adopted after nine months, but returned three days later for nipping her new owners. I knew fine well she just wanted attention. I told them if she was still there in a week I'd take her, and she would not be returning.

We went back to the office and all the staff were delighted with the news, so much so that they decided to go against policy and reserve her for me. She was the most delightful lass. Cheeky, nosy and in charge of the house!

TreacherousPissFlap · 17/05/2019 10:21

The most faithful dog I ever had I rescued at around 11years old.

I know he genuinely would have followed me to the ends of the earth. He lived every day full of joy and overcame such hideous neglect and bad treatment with his quirky manner.

I knew he didn't have years left but I was genuinely devastated when he was PTS. Fingers crossed you get home in time OP 🤞

Aimadre · 17/05/2019 10:23

She is gorgeous! Go for it!

We fell in love with our beautiful rescue dog who was found on the street. Vet at the time put her age about 10-11. We’d been hoping for a younger dog and were sad we wouldn’t get to spend more time with her but we loved her so adopted her anyway.

9 years on... she’s still racing about full of beans! Either we have a record breaking elderly dog or that vet got it very wrong! Win win for us though Grin

Honeyroar · 17/05/2019 18:30

She looks lovely. I love a happy elderly dog face. I did think they would want to meet you too.

It's under two weeks, it will pass quickly. The rescue know there's a potential good home for her, they will have you in their thoughts. I hope your oh can visit more to reinforce how serious you are.

Icklepup · 17/05/2019 18:38

Hope you get to meet her! :)

Honeybee85 · 17/05/2019 18:44

What a gorgeous dog!

I love the idea of providing an older dog a few years of a good home that would otherwise be hard to get for them as people tend to choose a puppy.

As for health concerns, that’s always a risk, loads of pups have health problems and you’ll be dealing with them for a whole lot longer possibly!

Blackorblack · 17/05/2019 18:52

I've adopted dogs aged ten and fifteen. I knew the fifteen year old wouldn't have very long, and he died a year later, but that means you could easily have five years with that lovely girl.

Hope it works out for you, and for her!

Moondancer73 · 17/05/2019 19:29

Oh definitely go for it. Old dogs struggle so much to find a home and as a pp said the dog could live to 20 so you could have some amazing years together.

Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 18/05/2019 21:58

Everyone keep your fingers crossed for us, because it looks like both DP and I have our hearts set on her.

We've just been having our daily Skype (ps. long distance relationships suck) and it turns out we've both been checking her RSPCA page daily to make sure she's still available, and we both keep watching her little intro video Blush

We're so sad!

OP posts:
YellowSock · 18/05/2019 22:19

Genuinely think it would be wonderful to do. The insurance will be expensive and yes you will face heartache sooner ( most likely) than getting a puppy but you would be giving that dog an amazing few final years being loved rather than dying in a shelter!

UrsulaPandress · 18/05/2019 22:22

Not rtft but please do it.

itscallednickingbentcoppers · 18/05/2019 22:25

YANBU and are lovely Smile they're not as highly strung when they're a bit older. Hope you're lucky and get her!

fairiesandelves · 18/05/2019 22:38

Fingers crossed for you she's gorgeous. Wonderful thing to adopt an older dog. One of our rescues came from an elderly lady who couldn't walk him anymore. No issues at all he's a darling and absolute joy. Good luck x

Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 27/05/2019 20:15

She's ours!

We met today, she was more interested in her ball than me (I was just the flinger) but she's super well behaved and totally gorgeous.

We're now waiting a call about our home visit.

To adopt an 11 year old dog?
OP posts:
Mummyoftwo91 · 27/05/2019 20:18

Amazing op! Your an angel

MaMaMaMySharona · 27/05/2019 20:22

Yess!!! This has made me so so happy, congratulations OP!! When do you pick her up?

MaryBoBary · 27/05/2019 20:23

YAAAAAAY!!!!! Just read the whole thread and was almost too nervous to keep scrolling in case it was bad news - so happy for you OP. Congratulations, she is beautiful and looks very dignified. At some point in my life I will definitely be rescuing a cat or dog. For reasons out of my control I had to give my lovely Cat to a rescue and I have never forgiven myself or gotten over it. People who rescue animals are the best kind of people Smile

HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 27/05/2019 20:24

Aww this update has made me cry with lovely happy tears. How wonderful that you and Skye have found each other. Grin I hope you have many wonderful years together making memories.

Honeyroar · 27/05/2019 20:28

Fantastic update! So pleased for you.

Be aware that she might have some quirks and issues while she settles down (equally she may settle right in perfectly), but they will soon settle down with a bit of time and love (and ball chucking!). Best of luck. There is nothing better than a rescue dog!