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The doghouse

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Original poster

Help needed - rehome

26 replies

MrsSnaplegs · 10/06/2012 15:40

I am looking for advice more than anything so I hope you can help.

We have had our gorgeous Rhodesian Ridgeback for 7 years now, she came to us at 18 months from her breeder as a "long term foster". We love her dearly however I have been posted overseas with work for 2 years and we cannot take her with us on this occasion. It is the only time I will be sent overseas with the family and a job I never thought I would ever get hence why it had never been a concern.

DSIL had said they would have her but have now changed their minds - change of their circumstances and DSIL has a badly broken ankle so doesn't feel able to take on a 2nd dog.

I am trying to contact her breeder, she has always said in the past if we were ever unable to keep a dog then to let her know first. I have tried ringing but there is currently no answer and I have sent an email. I am waiting to hear back but whilst waiting I am worrying this over in my head.

I really don't want to have to rehome her to a rescue as they are all overflowing, thats why the SIL option was best. We were planning on paying her a monthly amount for insurance and food etc to cover costs and then when we are back in 2 years she would come back to us.

I know I should just wait for her breeder to get in touch but I am panicking slightly as we are now due to go in about 3 weeks and only just found out SIL can't take her.

Any advice other than be patient for her breeder to get in touch?

OP posts:

horseylady · 10/06/2012 16:39

Breed rescue? You're asking for a two year tempory home? Or a permanent one?

I think in your situation if family couldn't have her, I'd go breed rescue see what came up. Any reason she can't go? My cousins are on a three year contract abroad and their dog moved out about 4 months later. She stayed with various family in between.

Original poster

MrsSnaplegs · 10/06/2012 17:08

I have been looking at breed rescue and think that would be my first option after breeder.
We aren't really supposed to take her although some people do have dogs there.
We are going somewhere quite hot and she does not tolerate heat well, we have a 3 day ferry and car journey to get there and she hates car travel over an hour, we will be living in a flat with no garden and there are few parks. We will also be away from home a lot more than here so would constantly have to leave her alone.
Her quality of life there would be pretty unhappy.

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Original poster

MrsSnaplegs · 10/06/2012 17:10

I would want a 2 yr temporary home if possible but then that is not necessarily fair on whoever has her - family is slightly different. I suspect we would have to accept permanent Rehome as I don't know anyone who would Rehome and love a dog for that long and then want to give it back

OP posts:

D0oinMeCleanin · 10/06/2012 17:12

If you are wanting temporary care for her I would approach breed rescue and ask them to help you find a long term foster home for her. Although you would still need to pay towards her food, insurance and vetinary care. I am sure a rescue would be happy to help with this.

It would make a refreshing change from "I am going away in three days and I need to rehome my dog now, you will have to take it or I will have it pts. What do you mean donation? "

D0oinMeCleanin · 10/06/2012 17:15

I loved my last foster for 8 months. It broke my heart to see her go, but I foster for the sake of the dog, not for me. I would take in a dog for two years and then happily see it reunited with it's rightful family, purely because it would help not only that dog and family but it would ensure another rescue space or forever home was not unneccessarily taken by a dog who already has a happy home.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 10/06/2012 17:20

Dh says that we will take her, but you can't have her back

So sorry you are in such a situation though

Scuttlebutter · 10/06/2012 17:21

Do you have any written agreement with the breeder? Long term foster sounds as though you are NOT the permanent home and are helping out the breeder, who should be able/delighted to take dog back. Do you know if breeder is still breeding/living in same place, e.g. checked their website etc? How long is it since you made contact?

I would certainly also endorse speaking to specialist breed rescue, but they will want to understand the legal issues surrounding ownership ie if she is a long term foster, she may not be yours to give away, IYSWIM. Again, any written agreements would be handy. On the other hand, if you have no writtten agreement, breeder is uncontactable and you believe they are now out of business, then you will be de facto owner. Whose name is on microchip?

Breed rescue will want to have full medical history, so your vax file, whether spayed, accurate info on behaviour, special likes and dislikes etc. Realistically at her age (now 9.5) it is highly unlikely that she will take up a foster space for that length of time, I would expect the breed rescue to be looking for a forever home willing and able to take on an older bitch. Because of her age, I would also recommend you talk to the Oldies Club, which specialises in homing older dogs.

Hope you are able to get this sorted.

Original poster

MrsSnaplegs · 10/06/2012 17:35

Do0in That's really good to hear that if her breeder can't offer help then there is a possibility of a 2 year foster.
No written agreement with breeder over her "long term foster" that was her phrase, she and I have always got on well and she and I last spoke about 2 years ago. My ExH and I had a pup RR from her previously (my current DDog brother actually) but my ExH took custody of him through a bit of foul play. When she knew I was without a dog she asked me if I would take DDog as a "long term foster" as she wasn't going to breed from her or show her and she would like her to be in a happy family home with someone she trusted. I'm hoping because of this she will be able to help, I do trust her but not sure of her current circumstances - she is still in business and I suppose I'm just tying myself in knots waiting for her to call back. Especially as I thought this was sorted and now it's another worry prior to the move.
NSF
Scuttle thanks for your helpful advice it's useful - I can get all that info together fairly quickly if needed - what is the oldies club?

OP posts:

Scuttlebutter · 10/06/2012 17:46

Oldies Club does what it says on the tin -

It is a wonderful rescue which specialises in finding homes for older dogs.

Original poster

MrsSnaplegs · 10/06/2012 18:01

Thanks - have just managed to get through
on phone
She can't take her as she currently has 12 dogs at home including DDog mother still
She will ask around those she knows interested in older dogs and get back to me in a couple of days
She has given me the number of southern RR rescue but they only do home to home and are struggling to find homes already
I will look at Oldies club online

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Original poster

MrsSnaplegs · 10/06/2012 19:13

Waiting for a call back from Southern RR rescue

OP posts:

NormaStanleyFletcher · 10/06/2012 20:16

Is she good with other dogs?

Original poster

MrsSnaplegs · 10/06/2012 20:22

She is sometimes a little nervous to start as she has been bitten a couple of times but removes her tail from between her legs once she knows them Off lead she will be like an enthusiastic child wanting to make friends and loves going up to other dogs to say hello.
What do you have?

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herbertjane · 10/06/2012 20:34

Is there no way you can take her with you?

Original poster

MrsSnaplegs · 10/06/2012 21:13

herbertjane no

OP posts:

Original poster

MrsSnaplegs · 16/06/2012 11:40

Update
A wonderful couple who have 2 scotties and used to breed Airedales are going to foster her for 2 years whilst we are away
The breeder found them for us, they are the parents of a woman who had a ridgeback from her so they know the breed
Thanks for everyone for all your advice

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NuggetsForTeaAgain · 16/06/2012 12:02

thats amazing!

pimmsgalore · 16/06/2012 14:14

MrsS that is great news, just saw your thread and was going to say we would have her for you although we are due posting next year so could end up in the same situation.

Original poster

MrsSnaplegs · 16/06/2012 17:25

Pimms thank you do much for the offer hopefully this will work out this time any idea where you are going?

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RedwingWinter · 16/06/2012 19:15

That's great news, MrsS!

pimmsgalore · 16/06/2012 19:39

MrsS we are in the lottery as to where we are going DH has put down anywhere abroad or anywhere in the South of England, 2 years ago that got us a posting in the North West as that is South of Glasgow

Original poster

MrsSnaplegs · 16/06/2012 20:55

Pimms you'll probably get N Ireland - well it's over the sea

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Original poster

MrsSnaplegs · 25/06/2012 06:51

Well today is the day we take her to her foster family, my heart is very sad but I know she will be loved and cared for. I just pray she survives long enough that she can come back to us.
Thank you all for your help and support on this.

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JaxTellerIsMyFriend · 25/06/2012 09:46

good luck mrssnaplegs Will be thinking of you today.

Original poster

MrsSnaplegs · 25/06/2012 19:42

Well she is at an amazing place with space and land and other dogs, she settled in well although I am sure will miss us a bit when she realises we have not left her there for the day wonderful couple who welcomed her into their family
Although a sad day for me as she was my first child nice to know she will be loved whilst we are away

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