Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The doghouse

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Rescue dog just before xmas - what would you do?

39 replies

Titsywoo · 04/12/2015 10:44

My family have been wanting to get a rescue dog for several years but have waited until we owned our own home and then until we had finished refurbishing it until we went ahead. We really wanted an english bulldog so put our names down at the Bulldog Rescue centre a while ago as they say it can take a year or two to get a dog homed with you. But one has come up - she is apparently a lovely girl, good with kids and happy to be home alone which is good as I work part time 3 days a week. She is an ex-breeding bitch and has been at the rescue kennel for 6 months. She is an older dog at 7 but we would love to give her a forever home for the time she has left. We are having our homecheck next week then we should be able to meet and hopefully collect her soon after that.

The dilemma is this. Xmas is coming up and although we are mainly at home there will be about 10 of us at our house on xmas day and we are also having a New Years eve party with adults and kids. On the 29th we are travelling to my parents 50 miles away for lunch so will likely be out for 10-12 hours. I am concerned that this is too much for the dog while settling in and I'm not sure what to do with her on 29th. We can't take her with us as my parents live where they work and dogs are not allowed (plus my parents hate animals). We can have my MIL and neighbour pop in several times to see her, walk her, let her out in the garden. But I don't know exactly what she will be like when left alone so it seems a risk. DH however thinks we should get her as soon as possible and she should be settled in that time.

WWYD? Thanks :)

OP posts:

Original poster

Titsywoo · 18/12/2015 19:07

Oh here's a pic

Rescue dog just before xmas - what would you do?

OP posts:

Original poster

Titsywoo · 18/12/2015 19:09

Yes she is on the sofa but it is a shitty one in the kitchen. She is not allowed on the lounge ones.

OP posts:

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 18/12/2015 19:11

She's gorgeous.

Ours are allowed on one sofa and not the others. It works, and they know which ones they don't get to go on.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 18/12/2015 19:13

Panting can be a sign of nerves and anxiety. You'll gave to see over time, I guess.

PennyPants · 18/12/2015 19:31

She looks lovely and comfy. You and she are very lucky. Our rescue dog which we had in the summer, settled in very quickly and we took him on holiday a couple of weeks after and left him in with DS and friend while we went out for a whole day. He was fine. You have to adapt without it being necessary to completely turn your life upside down!
Btw When she meets your mums dog just remember to introduce them on neutral territory.

Original poster

Titsywoo · 18/12/2015 20:21

OK thank you. I did say to dh that they should go out for a walk together. Both dogs will be here on Xmas day which concerns me slightly!

OP posts:

Madbengalmum · 18/12/2015 20:27

Just a note on the bed accidents, with older cats and dogs we have tried a natural product called leaks no more and found it to be very effective on older dogs, might be worth a try? Better than pads if it does.

ThatsNiceDear · 18/12/2015 20:32

She is really lovely. Probably panting due to stress, but the quiet snoring thing, a lot of them do it all the time, even when awake. Just turn the tv up. x

Original poster

Titsywoo · 18/12/2015 23:46

Thanks madbengalmum I'll look into that. Only issue is the rescue sent her to us with just a blanket so we bought her a temporary bed (we are getting something proper tomorrow) but she is refusing to sleep on it so is on the floor in the kitchen. Bit nervous about her peeing on that as it is brand new engineered wood...

OP posts:

Aliiiii · 19/12/2015 00:17

Oh she's gorgeous
My one does pant when she's nervous/excited that should stop once she's settled in
You'll get used to the snoring-the first night I thought I never would, now she sleeps on the bed next to me and I sleep through it-can't say the same for human snoring!
Enjoy her, they are such a lovely, if stubborn breed!

Original poster

Titsywoo · 19/12/2015 01:18

Argh! She is sleeping in the kitchen diner. There is a sofa in there which she has jumped up on, fallen asleep and peed on :(

OP posts:

Floralnomad · 19/12/2015 09:11

It could be first night nerves but equally she is an older lady who has probably had a hard life so may have incontinence issues ,I would get her a full MOT at the vets . Is she spayed now ? Also is she used to living as an only dog because most breeding digs come from multi dog environments and do find it stressful being in a single dig situation . As far as the noisy breathing goes that's common in flat faced dogs and I'm sure over time you just get used to it ( bit like living near a main rd ,after a while you don't notice the traffic noise ) .

Madbengalmum · 19/12/2015 12:12

Titsywoo, the product is easily available online and is natural. I would start her on it asap, it will not have any adverse reactions to any other medication either.

soulnotasoldier · 19/12/2015 22:38

I'd try to find a dog care option for the 29th - someone who takes the doc into their own home. This would help you in the future too. Perhaps the rescue place know someone or one of their workers would help out for the day?

IMO, if your parents knew how much having the dog meant to you, they'd understand you changing plans, even if they do hate pets. They should love you and the grandkids...

Flip

1 2