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AIBU?

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Original poster

It’s irresponsible to buy 2 puppies at 94

137 replies

Onedropbeat · 20/03/2021 07:43

I don’t think it’s at all responsible at 94 to be buying puppies

I also don’t think it’s responsible buying through the pets4home website

OP posts:
sunflowersandbuttercups · 20/03/2021 10:54

I didn't realise that was quite so long, apologies Grin

Dasher789 · 20/03/2021 11:00

Wow, never thought of that either. As a breeder surely they are responsible for finding good homes. If they are not meeting the owner, is this negligence?!

Would agree normally but I'm sure that the Queen's pups will be well looked after and would never end up in Battersea.

Side point - I am not a big dog person but I do think corgis are very cute. I like how much the Queen likes animals.

LucilleTheVampireBat · 20/03/2021 11:03

I honestly cannot believe that they were bought from pets4homes. Anyone who buys off that site must be utterly thick and not give a single shit about animal welfare.

Souther · 20/03/2021 11:04

I cant get too worked up about this there will be people to take care of the puppies for their whole life and they will be given the best care regardless of the age of the owner.
If the owner had no family who would take over the care of the puppies then it would be a different story.

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 20/03/2021 11:16

On paper there was a very irresponsible rescue who encouraged my dad to adopt a 5 month old lab cross puppy at the age of 80. In real life the rescue considered my dad, his lifestyle and the support he had and knew that the pup would have a great life. Sadly my dad only enjoyed him for 18 months before he died. The dog stayed with my mum until 2 years ago - I did everything for the dog, feeding, walking etc. When mum went into hospital he moved in with us and this is where he'll stay. I'm so glad the rescue looked past dad's age.

As for Pets4Homes I'm writing this with my P4H puppy on my lap. I did my research and found a litter of puppies being sold by someone I knew of locally with an excellent reputation. I couldn't have asked for a better breeder.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 20/03/2021 11:22

I cant get too worked up about this there will be people to take care of the puppies for their whole life and they will be given the best care regardless of the age of the owner.

But it's not just about the puppies. What about the dam? Is she well cared for and looked after, or is she part of a bigger operation and just expected to churn out constant litters?

mam0918 · 20/03/2021 11:24

I had an 89 year old grandfather that was disabled and mobility challenged my whole life (so since before 70 year old) and needed assistance, he had to give up his dogs before I was born but talked about them often

I had an 89 year old grandma who would cook, clean, kept several pets and bolt around the house after her toddler great-grandchildren with more vigor than a fit and healthy 20 year old

I had a healthy 60 year old grandfather that dropped down dead out of the blue

I dont think you can really judge peoples long term capability to care for something just on age alone

lljkk · 20/03/2021 11:29

Yeah, just thinking, on paper I walk a dog for an "elderly irresponsible" adopter. 84 yo man with disability, took on a 4yo lurcher.

The complication is that when he adopted, his able bodied wife was alive (she died suddenly few months later), and his disability was milder. There's probably a Q of us who would take the lurcher if she needed rehoming. The dog needs are covered.

I don't like to see very elderly people with huge dogs they probably can't lift into a car if there were an emergency. But I wouldn't ban them from their pets, either.

HidingUnderARock · 20/03/2021 11:31

Shocked at people who seem to believe that a puppy should not be bought by a household that can and will look after it well for life just because one member of the household is 94.

Also seriously disappointed at people who seem to feel older people should not be allowed an animal companion because they might die before their companion. Not talking about the Queen here, to be clear.
Older people are more likely to live alone.
Older people are more likely to be (multiply) bereaved
Older people are less likely to have a job to go to
Older people are more likely to be at home a lot
Older people are human, and humans need companionship and purpose and their health and life are far more at risk if they can't have those basic human needs.
I'll let someone else join those dots because words are failing me at this point.

Easterbunnygettingready · 20/03/2021 11:40

My great uncle bought himself a sports car for his 80th birthday! Hadn't driven for 10 years.. Glad he didn't live in my area!

Catflapkitkat · 20/03/2021 11:42

When my 82 year old Mother lost her beloved cat of 20 years, she was inconsolable. I sourced a older cat (owner died) from a charity but a sibling bought her a kitten. My mother rang me crying - saying I will out live it. I told her to enjoy it and love it and I will have it when the time comes. 5 years on she is in a care home with Alzheimers but I have the cat and she has slotted perfectly into the family. Best of all I can update my mother with photos and stories.

It's irresponsible, if no provisions are made for afterwards.

RickiTarr · 20/03/2021 11:46

The Queen bought her puppies from Pets4Homes? Confused

Are you quite sure about that?

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 20/03/2021 11:46

One of them is called Fergus after ‘a beloved family member’ - they’re saying it’s an uncle of the Queen, but it’s clearly Sarah Ferguson Wink

imalmostthere · 20/03/2021 11:53

Well when she kicks the bucket they're hardly going to be abandoned are they. They live in a palace, they'll be fine.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 20/03/2021 11:54

Shocked at people who seem to believe that a puppy should not be bought by a household that can and will look after it well for life just because one member of the household is 94.

Nobody has actually said that, though. They're saying that, in general, getting a puppy at that age isn't a good idea. I have no doubt the corgis will have excellent lives but the vast majority of people don't have the level of support in place that the Queen does.

Also seriously disappointed at people who seem to feel older people should not be allowed an animal companion because they might die before their companion. Not talking about the Queen here, to be clear.

Again, nobody has said that either. They're saying that puppies are hard work and it's not necessarily a good idea to adopt one when you're at an age where you're likely to struggle with health and mobility issues.

You can have an animal companion that isn't a young, energtic puppy.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 20/03/2021 11:54

@imalmostthere

Well when she kicks the bucket they're hardly going to be abandoned are they. They live in a palace, they'll be fine.
Again, missing the point completely.

What about the dam and where the puppies came from?

OllysArmy · 20/03/2021 12:08

Ignoring the ethics of buying from PaH, my DP got a puppy when they were in their 60s having just retired, she has sadly not out lived them. They are now late 70s and DF still walks miles and would love another dog if he is like my DGM he could still be active into his 90s so why shouldn’t he?

tara66 · 20/03/2021 12:19

I though they were gifted to the Queen who has said previously she wasn't having any more dogs because of her age. But if she was gifted them - presume giver didn't know.

Zig4zag · 20/03/2021 12:24

Think it's irresponsible to buy puppies full stop.

SoupDragon · 20/03/2021 12:33

Again, missing the point completely.

No it isn't. That is exactly what the thread title and opening sentence is about.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 20/03/2021 12:34

@OllysArmy

Ignoring the ethics of buying from PaH, my DP got a puppy when they were in their 60s having just retired, she has sadly not out lived them. They are now late 70s and DF still walks miles and would love another dog if he is like my DGM he could still be active into his 90s so why shouldn’t he?
Nobody is saying he shouldn't have a dog.

But just make sure that you have plans in place for when you can no longer care for the dog, which is increasingly likely the older you become.

Many care homes, for example, don't allow pets, and what would happen if he couldn't walk the dog due to mobility issues? Making sure you have back-up plans in place is important - family, friends or a dog-walker, for example. It's something everyone should do, though very few do.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 20/03/2021 12:35

@SoupDragon

Again, missing the point completely.

No it isn't. That is exactly what the thread title and opening sentence is about.

But the thread has moved on from the OP now. People are also talking about the ethics of buying dogs as gifts, buying them from websites like Pets4Homes etc.

It's not just about the welfare of the puppies - it's so, so much more than that.

Lockdownbear · 20/03/2021 12:40

@tara66

I though they were gifted to the Queen who has said previously she wasn't having any more dogs because of her age. But if she was gifted them - presume giver didn't know.
I'll assume HMQ has changed her mind, and the giver spoke to her before buying them.

Lockdown has affected everyone inc HMQ I can see why she'd change her mind.

Good theory that they came from Sarah. Smile

NormanStangerson · 20/03/2021 12:41

@YanTanTethera123

I assume you’re referring to HM The Queen? She’s hardly going to be running around cleaning up after them OP!
Oh my god I didn’t realise that was what this was about 😂 I can just see the Queen laying out puppy mats...
Mamamia456 · 20/03/2021 12:42

I bet the Queen has never even heard of Pets4homes.