Advice on how to get a rescue dog

[kid]

I am still in the early stages of grief after my much loved 7 month old puppy died.

I was ready for a dog, but he was cruelly taken from us and I think getting a rescue dog would help my family deal with the loss.

I don't intend getting a dog for a few months as we have booked a holiday and wouldn't want a new dog to go to a boarding home when they should be settling in and bonding with us.

My question is, how much time does it take to arrange or buy a rescue dog?

I am thinking of a cocker spaniel or similar size. Moby was a springer x cocker (liver and white) and a new dog could not look like him, too sad at the moment. It would also need to already be neutered as I couldn't stand going through the risk of losing another dog that way. I also don't want a young puppy, was thinking about a year old.

am I being too fussy, is it too soon to start looking fir a rescue dog? (3 months before we intend to get him/her and so soon after losing our pup)
tia for any advice

I did see that gorgeous dog Toffee and have sent an email about her. She is exactly what I had in mind, and if we could reserve her until after our holiday then I think I would be very happy.

I am not sure if DH is considering getting another puppy, if we did, he wouldn't get neutered and we wouldn't breed from him.
But, I remember the early days with Moby were a bit of a nightmare. Waking in the night, chewing things, toilet training. Some parts were fun but there were some days when I wondered if we did the right thing to get a dog. Those days were few and far between but they were still there.

Anyway, will just wait and see what they say about Toffee, fingers crossed.
I haven't mentioned it to DH yet, will see what they say first as I don't want to get my hopes up just yet.

Just going to look on Many Tears now too.

My advise, from experience would be, unless you know dogs extremely well, or know know some one else who does. Do not go to a pound.

They don't home check, they don't match the dog to your family and they often don't have very much info on the dog.

Ours came from a pound and I was quite taken aback by the speed at which it happened. We met Scruff on Saturday and by Sunday he was curled up on our rug. By Monday he was at the vets to be treated for a potentially, very expensive skin condition

Luckily, I had phoned the insurance before setting off to the vets.

He was the perfect dog for the first few weeks, until he settled in and then Devil Dog was born . We still love him though and wouldn't swap him for the world. But he is going to take a hell of a lot of training. We've already been at it 6 months and it would now seem that it is slowly, starting to sink in. Hurrah

I'd also second going in with an open mind. I was determined to bring home a Staff, but then met Scruff (who is a fox terrier x) and I am more than besotted happy with him. Although me and dd1 have hatched a secret plan to get DH to unwittingly agree to get another dog . A Staffy this time.

I thought I would miss the puppy stage, but I haven't. I'd never get another puppy. Rescue dogs are so much more rewarding. You see them change as they start to become more secure.

We got a rescue dog last summer, and we are looking for another rescue dog currently. It took us a year to find Penny, but there is only one rescue centre near us that will rehome with children. It was quite straight forward we had to do two visits at the rescue centre then had a home visit which happened 2 days later and then we were free to pick her up.

She's a beautiful collie X kelpie, we were absolutely not looking for a collie when we went but fell in love.

I'm so sorry about your puppy, must be devastating.

I have been talking this through with DH today and he has said he thinks we should get a puppy rather than a slightly older dog.

I can see his point, we bonded so well with Moby as he was ours practically from birth. So, everything he knew, he learnt from us.

We have also decided on a Springer as that was the dog we agreed on when we got Moby (ok, he was a springer x cocker but looked like a springer). I'm not sure I would want a liver and white one again as thats what Moby was.

If we can get a relatively young pup from a rescue then I am still very happy to adopt and rescue a dog from a pound.

Thought it best to update incase anyone knows where I can find a dog for us to love.

I received an email about Toffee. She is currently reserved and hasn't been neutered yet but will be in time. Therefore, considering the way I feel about having a dog neutered, they don't feel she would be suitable for me.

I don't mind. I am happy that they are thorough in their selection of a new home. It means the dogs are placed in a suitable home and not moved from pillar to post.

Just need to find my perfect dog now.

I've put out an email to my list and will let you know if anyone can help. Fingers crossed.

Thank you vallhala, I am excited and nervous about getting a new dog.
I was expecting moby to be with us for about 14 years. Just goes to show, you never know what's around the corner.

If you (or anyone else) need to contact me, I can be contacted at kt8cs5[at]yahoo.co.uk

Hi Kid,

It's all very quiet as far as replies are concerned but one contact did suggest that you try Nessa at Springer Rescue - 01453 549880.

Val

Thanks val
I have to confess that I'm not too good at talking right now. Emails and forums are great as they are a barrier for my tears.
I am getting there slowly though. Went out for an hour walk today, unfortunately if was somewhere moby would have adored. I have also managed to make DC some lunch, giving DH a rest from it.

Hi again Kid.

I've just sent you an email.

Val

Thanks, received it and replied