Adopting an old boy - am I crazy?

[ladybee28]

Have been toying with the idea of dog ownership ever since I settled in a new country 4 years ago.

I grew up with dogs, spent a lot of my 20s working on farms around the world, and recently moved into a rental, alone, in a pretty rural area in Spain. Now feels like it might be 'the time'.

If I go ahead with getting a pooch, I want it to be an adoption - and I'm not bothered about having a 'cute puppy'. Perfectly happy to skip that (and the teenager stage, and the chewing, and the toilet training, etc.) and just focus on settling an adult dog into their new home and building a relationship.

And now I've seen an old fellow. He's 10, but in good health. Chilled, well-behaved, gets on with other animals, happy in cars, walks well on a leash, great recall... and he looks like he probably drinks whisky, plays a mean game of cards and has some stories to tell.

Not going to lie, he seems too good to be true.

I've sent the refuge a message to find out more, but taking a step back for a second, am I being ridiculous here?

Am I setting myself up to fall madly in love with a hound I'm probably going to lose within a few years?

What are the sensible questions I should be asking myself before I let the love-mist set in completely?

I would of course get pet insurance and make sure vet bills etc. were covered, but what else should I consider before I think about committing to an OAP?

@ladybee28 he is fabulous he is the one for you ❤️ A happy story I’m ecstatic for you 😍

He's beautiful

You're not crazy at all. He sounds absolutely perfect for you. From experience, having adopted a 9 year old dog, you've got the worries of illnesses that come with old age, and of course the fact that they won't be very long with you. Prepare yourself for this, good pet insurance etc. He's ready to give you unconditional love, and fun times.

He's fabulous and looks like he'll give great hugs. The size of those paws!

He is adorable! I'm not sure you'll find it easy to get insurance for a 10 year old dog as a new policy, so bear that in mind when thinking of affordability, etc.

Do it. He sounds like he’s already in your heart. Wonderful to adopt, especially a senior dog.

We support Second Chance Golden Retrievers based in the Balkans. Some superb dogs. Pups and seniors 😊. They’re brought to the UK for rehousing on the Happy Bus.

Just seen the pics ... 🥰🥰🥰

He's so handsome! It really sounds like you'll be perfect for each other, definitely go for it (& keep us updated!)

He's gorgeous. All I can think about since you described him is that he's an old biker, I'd call him Samcro or Clay. He's a bit Sons of Anarchy!

You know you have to now. You’ll always regret it if you don’t. He’s such a classy old chap.

Update for those of you asking about his story – his owner has terminal cancer and can't take care of him any more. He's much-loved, but needed to be rehomed before his previous owner got too sick.

Ooh, my heart.

How sad.

He looks lovely, and will have a happy retirement with you.

Oh ladybee he is The One for you! That is so sad, but also means he has known love so may really be a lovely starightforward dog... and he is beautiful.

The only serious practical thing I'd think of is that insurance for a large breed 10 year old dog is likely to be fairly expensive! I have a large breed puppy and pay £30 a month, I've seen people quote £80 a month for a 5 year old. Would definitely look into that though, make sure you get a 'life' policy and that you have a decent amount of yearly cover.

He's stunning though and as a dog person I'd say DO IT! But only if you have the financial resources xx

It would be fantastic if you could give him a home for his senior years, but as a pp days be prepared for the costs, you are unlikely to get a new pet insurance policy for him. Is insurance or vet treatment something the rescue could potentially help with? Or if the previous owner had insurance can it be transferred?

Oh my, he's utterly gorgeous, I can totally see why you're already in love.

I'm just placemarking for the updates really, I want to see him sunbathing on his new balcony

@ladybee28 OMG he is just gorgeous. That face, those eyes, those ears, that smile.

You sound completely smitten anyways, so there's no way you can walk away from him.

Love him for as long as you are together, hopefully a very long time, and give him the wonderful retirement he deserves.

He's lovely..he deserves a lovely life ❤️

Oh my word, what a handsome boy! And he doesn't look like an old timer which is a good sign for his life span. Once your heart has been taken, it's a done deal. I've got my 15yr old boy by my feet right now. He was 10 when I adopted him (I thought he was 8 but apparently it's not unusual for older dogs to be aged as younger for insurance reasons). He stole my heart from the first picture I saw of him, and I wasn't even looking to get a dog! I couldn't love him more. Please go for it, you will both be so happy with each other.

He's gorgeous OP.

We adopted an old Labrador a few years back - we had just over 4 years with him. He was a gorgeous boy too, and I never regretted it for a minute. He'd had a pretty hard life, but he was the best dog. I was really glad to give him some happy, settled final years. Go fo it.

Gorgeous pup

He looks like a very wise old boy, those gorgeous paws! we adopted an old boy too, never regretted it, he was great.

He's gorgeous! I do love the oldies & you could easily have good few happy years with him. You never really know how long you'll get together even with a young dog.

Are vet fees are any more affordable in Spain, maybe rescue will be willing to help with anything major.
Insurance is likely to be fairly expensive or limited to 12 month policy, where everything claimed & possibly put on vet notes becomes excluded the following year. However often those with oldies end up cancelling the insurance when feel premiums are too high. I'm thankful Petplan have kept mine affordable even if pay 20% of bills.

He's highly likely to have some degree of arthritis going on by now even if not yet diagnosed as specific problem, so would bear in mind in case long hikes are not be in his best interests & instead you could be looking at splitting over a couple of shorter walks per day. Dogs enjoy being out with us and get an endorphin boost from exercise so will often carry on & suffer later, many owners (myself included in past) mistake the signs of chronic pain as the dog just getting older as they aren't obvious like yelping, holding up a leg etc which is more case with acute pain.

caninearthritis.co.uk/managing-arthritis/
CAM is a fantastic resource. Much of the home adaptations are things that are simple but may not necessarily think of but make quite difference to dogs especially as they age. At some point they start needing bit more in way of assistance or treatments & its great to be able to get informed advice from CAM/specialists & discuss with other owners on their Holly's Army Facebook group

I adopted my dog when she was 8 in similar circumstances.She is 10 now and still energetic. I was 70 when I got her, and I did not want a dog to outlive me. It will be heartbreaking when she goes, but the unimaginable joy she has given me will be worth it.

I also feel glad that I have given some comfort to her original owners’ family. The young mum died leaving two sons to be cared for by the Grandmother. She lives in a Council Flat, so could not take the dog too. The Rescue Very kindly put me in touch with her and I send her regular photos.

I dream of doing this when I stop working. We have a very unattractive rescue cat who is the light of our lives and the pleasure we get from seeing him love his life is limitless.
I am thinking of the owner and the joy that will give him to know his boy will have a good home. What a wonderful thing to have found each other.