whippet dilema

[schoolnurse]

Some will know I've posted before about the whippet. Very sadly and unexpectedly my mother died. The whippet who I was looking after was is obviously still here. There are two main problems I don't want three dogs and never have a brief period of looking after a friends dog once made me realise that three dogs are much harder work. Walking all three is a nightmare as they just are not together if that makes senses I need eyes in the back of my head as the whippet being a sight hound stops and stares into the distance for ages and mine are running ahead all the time, the leads get muddled up I've tried a double lead thing but they're all different heights, walking speeds weights etc I nealry dell over them as did another women walking her dog. I nearly lost her the other week and people keep asking me if I'm a dog walker! Secondly if I ever was to get a third dog (dog number one would have to be very elderly and not walking and dog 2 whose much younger would want a new friend to run around and annoy) it would not be a whippet it would be the same breed as dog 2 the two breeds are literally poles apart.
But my dilemma of course is that the whippet and my mother in my mind are intrinsically linked; my mother lived for her, she loved as much as me and the association is very comforting, i know my mother would want me to have her. What really upsets me and makes me feel even more guilty is that the bloody think looks happier with me than she ever did with my mother and my DH not a dog lover by any stretch of the imagination really likes her! Also she is elderly although you wouldn't think it watching her chase a rabbit the other day she would mot be happy in a rescue kennels and I realise that she actually likes living with other dogs. .

I know know one can decide for me but I suppose I'm writing things down hoping and reading your very helpful comments I hope I will eventually make the right decision for both of us.

Why not try to rehome her yourself? Ask other dog owners you know, at the vets etc. then you'd known she wasn't in kennels and could meet for walks at times.

It's a horrible situation to find yourself in. It's all well and good your DH liking her but its seems to be you that's doing all the work. I would contact a whippet rescue, she could stay with you until the rescue can find her a home. I appreciate that you have an emotional link as she was your mothers dog and that the whippet seems happier but your not really happy. I have 5 dogs at the moment, recently reduced from twelve as we are moving. I love my dogs but if owning any of them didn't make me happy/ fit in with my life then I would indeed rehome.

Please don't rehome her yourself. Whippets are very sought after by unsavoury types who use them as bait for fighting dogs. Scruples Whippet rescue do not use kennels, they use foster homes and will even rehome with the dog staying with the original owner until a new home is found.

All that said though, it does sound like you are erring on the side of keeping her, in which case, why not just give yourself a couple more months and see how you feel then?

Hi, I remember your previous thread, v sorry to hear about your mum.

I really feel for the poor whippet and although you don't want to hear this, it would be lovely if she could stay with you, without you ending up too unhappy with it. How old is she? She can't have more than a year or two of life left in her can she?

It strikes me that the walks are the major problem, therefore my suggestion is, could you afford a dog walker, either to walk all the dogs together, or even just to walk the whippet so you can carry on walking your dogs as normal?

She's 13 Im not sure how long whippets live for. She's lead an exceedingly pampered life and anyone asking how old she is is frankly amazed when I say 13 she looks more like 7-8. The is no sign of ageing her joints look good, I've just had her checked by a vet and he says everything is perfect even her teeth are amazing for her age her eyes are bright and her coat shines!
I dont really want to walk them separately I walk them for at least an hour a day which she is obviously enjoying I just don't have the time to walk more than this. I can afford a dog walker and as I work one long day shift a week already have one coming in but 7 days a week is a different ball game. My DH walks 60 hours a week so genuinely lacks time to do it.

I remember your other thread, but can't remember how kind she has been with you and walking the 3 dogs together.... I seem to remember she wouldn't come out if the room to start with.
The thing about asking how long you have been walking the 3 together is that a women I know with 2 lurches, ended up fostering a whippet... I know she found it really hard walking the 3 together, and these dogs ate well walked - but always together. Anyway I just saw her this weekend and she was saying her whippet is staying.... The dogs have finally "got it" the walking together.
This is not what you want to hear, but although your not that keen, it would be the ultimate thing you could do for your mum.....it seems the dog was very special to her...... Sorry - but that's how I would feel.
Did you inherit any money from your mums estate that you could ring fence towards its upkeep - or walking it, if you really can't do it?

Firstly, I'm really sorry to hear about your mum.

Secondly, well done for persevering this far - she clearly is a changed dog from the one that you first posted about.

Lurchers and whippets can be very long lived - I've heard of 18 yo lurchers.

WRT the walking, I wonder whether you could perhaps spend some of each walk with one or other of the older dogs on the lead, and only the youngest off the lead all the time? Would that help at all? Would having some of the exercise as play - ball chasing etc help or work?

If you do decide to rehome her, do get some advice from Scruples or even possibly the Oldie club - please don't put her on gumtree or similar.

I went to the Greyhounds Walks show in Essex on Sunday and there was a lovely and very perky sixteen year old whippet prancing round the ring in several of the classes.

Please, please contact a specialist rescue like Scruples - they really know their stuff and will ensure that this elderly little dog gets to spend its last few years in a properly vetted, loving home. They are a highly reputable charity who really do understand teh breed. Do not under any circumstances attempt a private rehoming - with a dog this old, that is asking for trouble.

With regard to the walking, you do get better with practice at walking multiple dogs - I used to comfortably walk three and can do four now at a push. Get in touch with a local dog trainer and ask for a one to one lesson in polishing your onlead walking - honestly, it really helps, along with practice, practice, practice. Also, get in touch with a local sighthound charity - many have access to off lead secure areas so whippy and the others can charge about happily off lead in complete safety.

I'm so sorry you are going through this with your mum as well - this is a very difficult time for you, and must be making it even harder to think about the dog when you never asked for any of this.