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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Advice on rehoming please

10 replies

kay1975 · 01/11/2011 21:14

Hi,

3 months ago I put my 2 14yr boys (mini schnauzer and cairn) on the waiting list for a NWAT rehoming centre. The reasons were mainly that are left on their own 4 10-11hrs a day, 3 days a week, in a small kitchen. We have no-one to walk them while we are at work and I felt so guilty leaving them.

Since then the mini schnauzer has been put to sleep by the vet, it broke my heart as I wanted him to have the opportunity to have a great life again, like he used to have before I had to work. My question is now do I put the cairn into a rehoming centre. He is full of life and loves people and attention, is well behaved and not greedy! He is missing his partner greatly, but I don't know what's best?

Can anyone offer any advice?

Thanks
Michaela

OP posts:
RedwingWinter · 01/11/2011 21:27

Michaela, I am heart-broken too reading this. So sorry that you lost the mini schnauzer (am assuming he was pts for reasons of ill-health).

Is there no way you can pay a dog-walker to come in three times a week to make sure the cairn gets some company and exercise in the middle of the day? If you can find a way to make things work, instead of rehoming him, obviously that's the best thing.

DogsBestFriend · 01/11/2011 21:34

I don't understand why the other dog was PTS. Sorry, am I being dense? Confused

I agree that the kindest thing for all concerned would be to find a dogwalker - ask at your vets, ask other dogwalkers and neighbours if they can recommend one, if you have a local independent pet shop ask there too. I got into dog sitting/walking years ago when my pet shop owner recommended me to a customer as someone who she thought might be willing to care for the young lady's Greyhound though I wasn't a pet sitter or anything like it, just known to be a dog fanatic. As a result the owner and I became firm friends - and by amazing coincidence I discovered when I became a volunteer for a not particularly close rescue that she was a volunteer for them too!

Independent rescue nearby is also worth asking. They may have a dog walker in their volunteer crew or may just have someone who is willing to help. The one I volunteer for would far rather it found one of us lot to help you than see your dog go into rescue or PTS - and we have done this from time to time when needed.

Original poster
kay1975 · 01/11/2011 21:51

Thank you both, I will look into dog walking. Archie was pts due to health, vet said he had no quality of life. He went downhill so suddenly, lost his sight, hearing and control of his bladder. I just worry that I'm denying Alfie a better life with someone who could offer him more. Yes I give him a safe, warm home, but for most of the week I can't give him the time and affection he needs and deserves at his age. My job may go full time in the new year and then what life would it be for Alfie.

Sorry to ramble but I don't have anyone else to talk to about it.

OP posts:
DogsBestFriend · 01/11/2011 22:03

How awful for you all. I'm so very sorry. :(

I have to be honest with you. As you have found, finding rescue space is very hard. The older dogs, ones with illnesses such as epilepsy, the big dogs and the Bull breeds and Greys... for them it's harder still. I know that rescue is on it's knees but I also know, as a rescuer, that it's often possible to obtain a place for a pup or popular young breed than an old 'un. (Which makes me furious).

The chances of your 14 yo dog being rehomed from rescue is slim I;m afraid. A decent one will seek a long ternm foster home for a boy like yours but they're hard to come by too. I don't know much about the NAWT - often we independent rescuers and volunteers have little to do with the bigger ones - but I can see from their website that they have SOME fosterers. From their mission statement I would think that they would aspire to provide foster if they were to take your boy in but this is in no way guaranteed.

I honestly think that he would be better off with a dog walker/dog sitter in his home with someone who loves him than to be taken from that home at his age, especially now that he has been recently bereaved as dogs do grieve.

In seeking a walker/sitter (have a word with reputable local training and agility clubs too, they may know of someone) please make sure that you obtain checkable references and employ them as you would a childminder, with the greatest of care in making your choice.

chickchickchicken · 01/11/2011 22:04

could you tell us whereabouts you are?

canyou · 01/11/2011 22:12

When we first took in my Nana's dog she went from being with some one 24 hrs a day to a house where we both worked shift patterns [sometimes 12 hr days] she is also afraid of the dark [Grandmother had glaucoma so always had lights on]
We enlisted the help of a newly retired neighbour who came and walked the dog, he took her away for day trips, left her into his home to lie in front of a real coal fire, visited the local elderly care unit, the dog had a better social life then we had. Is there anyone who could do that for you? We paid him expenses and he had a reason to get up and out every day and feel useful.

Original poster
kay1975 · 02/11/2011 09:31

Thank you so much. I'm going to look into dog walking at the weekend and speak to my mum, see if she can help. We live in Grays, Essex.

OP posts:
chickchickchicken · 02/11/2011 09:47

i have pm'd you

coccyx · 02/11/2011 12:34

I agree that will be hard to rehome.
Please consider a dog walker. I am sure once he has had a walk he spends a lot of the day sleeping!
Do hope you can work something out

bobbybearmummy · 02/11/2011 18:08

After 14 years with a dog how could you possibly want to rehome it?
My dog is with me for life.

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