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The doghouse

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Original poster

please can I have a mini moan about the difficulty of rehoming a rescue dog

69 replies

rescueremedy1104 · 06/03/2016 23:17

We have a dog. His buddy was pts a year ago. We'd like another one.

We have children

I work part time

We have a secure garden

Own our own house

We have money to support an older dog with medical issues

And yet we have Devils own job to rescue a dog. I'd really like a greyhound.

We have been in touch with the local centre. 21 dogs. Not one suitable for us Hmm. I have been in touch with our dog trainer - knows of a lady who has one in foster that could be suitable. Sent her a along message last week, was going to receive a call weds/thurs then I had a message saying how busy they are. Ok I understand, but surely if you have one ready for adoption then you free up a space for a new dog in need.

I know rescues have to be careful. I know that we should be patient but bloody hell I'm on the brink of buying a cute pup from Facebook or a 'change in circumstances' dog from gumtree not really. Not in a million years

.

This is a rant. I know I have to be patient. I will be patient. I know how hard rescue centres work. I just would like another wet nose and waggy tail in my life.

OP posts:
MagentaSpunkTrumpet · 10/03/2016 11:40

You're quite close to Celia Cross Greyhound Rescue, based just outside Guildford.
As a disclaimer, I worked for them many years ago but no idea what things are like there now.

mollie123 · 10/03/2016 13:48

Oh dear that Orchard Greyhound sanctuary was so lovely and I made the mistake of looking at the pictures of the lovely dogs and then the 'in memorium' page which had me filling up - they are such lovely gentle dogs and 'their eyes' say it all really Sad

GuinefortGrey · 10/03/2016 14:08

Rescue Remedy & Mollie - it really is a wonderful place. I am lucky enough to have visited several times when adopting my beautiful boy from her nearly 10 years ago. We are still regularly in touch although I live in the UK now. My boy (although he's an old man now at the age of 12!) is the sweetest, gentlest, most loving companion I could ever have wished for. My children were just 3 and 18 months when we got him and I have since had 2 more. He has always been so quiet and gentle with the children, never been jealous or demanding, just so happy and grateful for every extra cuddle he receives Smile

Stradbroke · 10/03/2016 18:10

I will join you in the mini moan. It is very difficult and I am finding it very off putting. We are quite difficult as we have two kids, one with ASD and a cat.

There are very few dogs that fit, you find one you think will and there is some reason why it won't work. We have tried Dogs Trust and we saw one that looked good, got the kids in the car (having checked before we left that it wasn't reserved) drove there only to find it was being seen by someone and was now reserved. Kids back in car and home again :(

It just feels like a bit of a merry go round and whilst I am not blaming rescues for being thorough or for dogs going quickly, it feels like a full time job looking for a dog and I honestly feel unsupported as a first time dog owner and like I want to give up.

I like the look and attitude of accolade hounds and will give them a call.

Original poster
rescueremedy1104 · 10/03/2016 20:20

stradbroke you're very welcome on my moan bench. It feels like you can't really moan because most rescues are staffed by volunteers who work really hard.

But I do wonder if they were run a bit more business like that they'd have more success?

My 2 biggest gripes at the moment are rescues being unrealistic about potential owners and lack of commutation. Most of them don't have great websites either.

What I mean about being unrealistic is as follows.... Greyhound who is 11yo locally. Ok with children (yay) but unlikely to be good with our existing dog. Ok we could pop down and let them meet? No.

Now this hound has been with them for ages, some health problems. I'm not sure people are going to be queuing up for her. I'm not arrogant enough to think we're exceptional owners, but I do think they could have at least tried. Btw the greyhound is fine with other dogs. The centre just thought I'd described ours as too reactive, and would run into problems with her. Btw we have no health problems ourselves. My dh and I are both over 10 stone (he's 16 stone actually!) So who is going to meet the criteria to rehome this greyhound?

And as for the communication I just think if I have received a message saying lets do Sunday, I message back and say yes please what time.... Then don't hear back after 3 days it's just all a bit depressing.

OP posts:
Stradbroke · 10/03/2016 23:26

ha ha. I was telling a friend the other day that what they needed was a decent spreadsheet 😃

potap123 · 10/03/2016 23:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
rescueremedy1104 · 11/03/2016 07:22

I looked at their website a while ago. Will look again. Thankyou.

OP posts:
Original poster
rescueremedy1104 · 11/03/2016 07:35

I've just looked. 4 hours tops to be left alone. On the 3 days I work it'd be 6 hours. They don't count dog walkers.

OP posts:
MiaowTheCat · 11/03/2016 07:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
rescueremedy1104 · 12/03/2016 18:33

Well I think we have now reserved a rescue dog.

I don't want to say too much but basically it's through the original rescue centre. They had a meet and Greet event. I was there early doors with the dcs and my mum. Dh was working.

We had seen photos and heard about her about 10 days ago. She met my existing dog and we said we'd like to reserve her.

The event was still pretty disorganised - someone was late, forgot bits etc but they were pretty thorough about the dog assessment with my dog and the children.

I wanted to pay a reservation fee, but it all got a bit busy so they said they be in touch. We discussed timings taking her. They weren't sure whether to do a homecheck or get in touch with dog trainer who has visited so we'll see.

So she's a funny looking Heinz 57. Medium size. Lovely sweet nature.

OP posts:
potap123 · 12/03/2016 21:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
rescueremedy1104 · 12/03/2016 22:06

I know!

I don't feel too excited yet as I think the centre continued to show her to other interested parties.

The only thing they've posted on their page is something related to a mistake in the fundraising event Confused

I dunno. I hope they make contact with us tomorrow. I'm feeling quite despondent tbh.

I missed a whole chunk out of the story where we became interested in a gorgeous dog, got all the details then the manager said she shouldn't have been shown to us with children.

I felt really embarrassed for the volunteer tbh.

OP posts:
ToastDemon · 13/03/2016 06:08

Can I make a suggestion, as you're keen on greyhounds? The country I'm living in has loads of Salukis in the rescue centers. They will very very gladly rehome to a good home in the UK. The conditions here mean that the animal welfare organisations are stretched paper thin, full to bursting and with massive waiting lists. Dogs are dumped all the time and there are many more that live feral in horrible conditions.
The upshot is that the wonderful rescue volunteers are far more pragmatic regarding suitable homes.
Please PM me if you'd like more info on this.

Stradbroke · 13/03/2016 08:22

Good news rescueremedy. I really hope it comes through. It takes tenacity doesn't it?

I think we may have found one too! A Heinz 57 mongrel, although definitely has staffy in her. It is with one of the bigger rescues so quite organised. I am going to meet her on Thursday and if that goes well we'll all meet again on Saturday.

Original poster
rescueremedy1104 · 13/03/2016 09:32

Thanks for all messages. I do love Salukis. I had one crossed with a greyhound in the past. He was such a clumsy oaf it was hilarious.

I'm hoping this one works out and that I hear something today. A call/email?

I'll contact them myself later if I haven't heard anything. We need to make sure everything is in place!

OP posts:
Original poster
rescueremedy1104 · 13/03/2016 11:09

Well I sent a message. Been read. Awaiting reply.

I just have this awful feeling we won't get her.

The fact that she was shown to other interested parties after we left then no contact just doesn't feel right to me.

OP posts:
Owllady · 13/03/2016 11:15

:(
What kind of dog do you want? If you want a collie x, wiccaweys are open minded. I have low hedging and a wrap around drive as we are rural and it didn't seem a problem at all. They matched us pretty well too, imo

The laziest collie ever :o

please can I have a mini moan about the difficulty of rehoming a rescue dog
Original poster
rescueremedy1104 · 13/03/2016 12:41

Tbh we just want a normal 2nd dog. Adult dog who's ok with children. That's about the sum total of our 'wants'

Anyway. Fingers crossed this rescue centre will come back to me with a plan.

OP posts:
potap123 · 13/03/2016 14:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
rescueremedy1104 · 13/03/2016 18:47

I keep checking my email like a teenager waiting for confirmation of a date.

My husband has just said not to do anything or contact them again.

this is why people buy dogs off of gumtree.

I can cope with not getting the dog I like but no communication? That's the big I'm struggling with.

Should I be buying an additional lead/collar food etc or not?

OP posts:
AnUtterIdiot · 14/03/2016 00:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
rescueremedy1104 · 14/03/2016 16:04

I did contact WK and they came back to me with 2 potentials. It was a 3hr round trip though so I'd thanked them and said I wanted to try and stay local.

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 14/03/2016 16:16

I'd do the journey to get the right dog. I know someone who adopted from EGLR, and she was able to view the dog and then take them home (obv she had a home check before) due to the long drive.
Not all EGLRs dogs are in Worcestershire either

lougle · 14/03/2016 17:00

I travelled 70 miles each way to get Trigger. So approx 3.5 hours. He was soo worth it!