Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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
Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 04/06/2019 09:20
Sad

They called us this morning to say the centre is now closed until Friday because they are moving buildings, so we can't collect her until then.

It's an extra blow to us because we've been manically trying to get everything ready the last two weeks, to the detriment of our personal lives, and they were really very slow getting our home visit sorted (I had to chase them) - and had they got the home visit booked on time, we could have collected her yesterday.

I have to go away on one last work trip next Tuesday (for 3 weeks Sad) so we wanted to get her ASAP so she could settle in with both of us before being left with just one for a few weeks.

OP posts:
H2OH20Everywhere · 04/06/2019 09:43

That's a bummer! Why couldn't they have told you that earlier? You'd have thought it would make their lives easier having one less animal to look after.

Oh well, enjoy your last few days before the whirlwind arrives!

Tingface · 04/06/2019 09:46

How ridiculous.

Hope you get her ok on Friday.

eosmum · 04/06/2019 10:00

Surely it makes more sense for you to collect her before the move as that's just more upset for her. Sounds ridiculous.

Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 04/06/2019 10:05

Surely it makes more sense for you to collect her before the move as that's just more upset for her

Exactly. Plus we're only 10 mins away, have been in contact with the shelter for nearly a month and have really turned out lives upside down trying to get it done asap.

OP posts:
ISayWhatNow · 04/06/2019 10:13

I'd push, definitely. It sounds as though they cba with paperwork, etc whilst they're in the middle of moving. Just call or visit and say that your home visit was delayed, you've been waiting a long time and that it's less disruptive to her to come home now.

WeeBean · 04/06/2019 10:27

This is the best thread I've read on MN, glad I didn't see it until she was yours though! Sorry it looks like you're having to wait an extra few days but she will be worth the wait!

My family adopted a wee Yorkie 3 years ago, she was 4 at the time and had been treated horrifically, kicked and neglected and was skin and bones when she came to us. I'll never forget how sad she looked in the picture the rescue posted, it broke our hearts! She still has a few wee issues now, doesn't always like men, but is a fantastic wee dog with so much love to give!

My DH and I adopted 2 cats 3 years ago and they've been amazing additions to our family, we're hoping to add an older dog to the crew when the time is right.

To adopt an 11 year old dog?
To adopt an 11 year old dog?
Branleuse · 04/06/2019 10:47

yay, im so happy for you. Rescue centres being hard to get hold of and pin down is completely normal in my experience. I was losing patience with the rescue for my girl not so long ago myself (ive just got a rescue 7 year old about a month ago) suck it up, friday is not far away and she sounds like she will be worth the wait.
Im a big fan of older dogs. They are calmer, housetrained I swear they are grateful, and you know what sort of dog you are getting.

Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 04/06/2019 12:13

I'd push, definitely. It sounds as though they cba with paperwork, etc whilst they're in the middle of moving.

I tried. They adamantly said no exceptions. They said they won't have a computer during the move (which I find odd, considering they're taking phone calls).

OP posts:
ISayWhatNow · 04/06/2019 22:54

Push again. I'm quite confrontational but I would be saying something along the lines of "We were told we could have her on Tuesday. You delayed the home visit. We have specific reasons why we want the dog home now and we're prepared to collect her now/this afternoon/evening." You were told Tuesday so they should honour it.

No computers? Write it down on sodding paper then!!!

Branleuse · 05/06/2019 11:17

its not a fucking business. Its a rescue centre. They are overworked and entirely staffed by volunteers and people who do it because they love dogs. These are good people. Dont go in and be a dick about having to wait a couple of days longer than you wanted because theyre in the process of moving. Just be patient. Its two more days

EveWasShamed · 05/06/2019 12:43

I'm involved with an animal rescue that's run entirely by volunteers and if someone came in with that attitude ISayWhatNow I would honestly be concerned about rehoming any animal to them. People are giving up their time to help unwanted and abused animals, not cater to people who think the world revolves around them and everything should be dropped because they 'want the dog now' Hmm they're moving premises ffs!

MiddleClassProblem · 05/06/2019 18:28

I’m also an ex rescue worker. The priority is the welfare of the animal over satisfy the customer. That’s how many animals need rehoming in the first place, plus despite hour best efforts, animals rehomed do come back again. They really want to avoid that and find not only a good match but someone who understands what they are taking on.

Op is realistic but I also hope you told them about you being away for a few weeks. I’m afraid in the centre I worked at you would have to wait until you both had a 2 month period neither were due away so the dog could get a routine and used to the set up. It’s not a policy I agree with 100% but when you’re a large rescue you need restrictions as it’s harder to do a case by case with so many staff, you need some continuity.

I hope you get your fur baby soon!

Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 05/06/2019 19:02

I'll only be away a fortnight or so and then I'm back permanently.
DP is home permanently already and will be here 24/7.
Im not sure it'll be particularly unsettling for Skye, certainly significantly less so than being at the shelter (she has become anxious and is damaging her paws from chewing on them).
Had the shelter been a tad more organised (and I'm aware there are plenty of justifications for the way it's been) we could have had her a lot earlier, but never mind. I just want her home ASAP as she clearly hates the kennels.

OP posts:
sunglasses123 · 05/06/2019 19:09

Please please update us all (with photos!!) when she is finally with you

Frankola · 05/06/2019 20:24

Please adopt the dog. It would be such a wonderful and almost selfless thing to do to give a beautiful dog a home for their twilight years.

We had to have our beloved dog put to sleep a couple of months ago. He had a brain tumour and was only 6 years old. We were utterly devastated. The thought that an older animal can live out their days in a lovely home just melts my heart!

mamaofboyzz · 05/06/2019 20:33

Surely it's more beneficial for the dog to be rehomed and settled instead of having to move premises then going to a new home. The dog must br terrified 😩

EveWasShamed · 05/06/2019 21:13

mama having to divert volunteers (or staff) to facilitate the adoption could hold back the moving process and cause more upset to the rest of the dogs in the shelter... I guarantee they will have a good reason, rescues are bursting at the seams so pushing back adoptions unnecessarily isn’t in anyone’s best interest Sad

Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 07/06/2019 07:48

Our appointment is at 10.15am today!!!!!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeee

OP posts:
GhostIsAGoodBoi · 07/06/2019 07:57

This thread has made my morning OP Grin

Disfordarkchocolate · 07/06/2019 07:58

So happy for you all.

Original poster
ReasonablyIntelligent · 07/06/2019 08:05

Also, I got a message from my boss and its looking like I won't have to go back to work, so I'm home permanently 🤞

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 07/06/2019 08:09

Looking forward to the photos!

Chocolatedeficitdisorder · 07/06/2019 08:12

I adopted an 11.5yr old German Shepherd a few years ago who had been taken in to a vet to be Pts after her elderly owner had to move house.

She settled in to our house within a day and was a huge member of the family for the time she was here. We had her 14 months until her mobility deteriorated from a neurological condition. She certainly seemed to enjoy her time in her retirement home. I would do it again in a flash.

MiddleClassProblem · 07/06/2019 08:22

Good luck today! x

Swipe left for the next trending thread