82 yr old mum - too old for dog

[dogdayz]

My lovely mum lost her JRT 6 months ago. Since then we have been looking for an older dog to adopt. My mum has arthritis and can't walk very well, but she has loads of time and love to devote to a dog. She has a lovely house and secure garden. I live nearby and am happy to take care of walks. She would like an older dog because she is realistic and doesn't want a dog that will outlive her. I have been in touch with local rescues, but we haven't been successful. Do you think this is because of her age? Is there anything anyone can suggest to help? She misses her lovely JRT so much and my Dad is in poor health so she really needs a dog to make her smile. Thanks

Could sh look after an older dog daily for people out at work. I know someone of a similar age who does this and it works well.
There are lots of difficulties adopting a dog if you are older. We are in our seventies and were turned down on age grounds. We finally adopted a dog from Romania. Our dog is sweet and gentle but it is always a risk that there could be difficulties. They often have senior dogs and it might be worth investigating. We went through Paws to Rescue.

Sorry, Paws 2 Rescue.

Thank you I will certainly take a look at paws2rescue. The daycare suggestion is a lovely idea. I will look into this too

I don't think it's a lost cause. She just needs to find the right kind of dog that will suit her lifestyle and capabilities.

My grandad had a very elderly retriever that was great company for him. He didn't walk her by the end, but she wasn't up to it anyway. She was quite happy pottering around his garden and having cuddles on the sofa by the fire.

I think the only concern rescues would have is if she does have mobility issues, making sure she has family nearby to help (i.e. you or neighbours).

This was my favourite Dogs Trust story last year, 100 year old and 77 year old daughter:
www.dogstrust.org.uk/our-centres/manchester/centre-updates/news/2020/100-year-old-dog-lover-gives-old-rescue-pooch-his-longed-for-furry-tail-ending

It's all about finding the right match, some small breeds including Terriers may still be full of beans even when they're older, maybe too many beans for your mum! Or have more complex behavioural issues that mean, if she has visiting grandchildren for example, it would be an issue. Or need a lot of training and won't just fit right in to sitting on her lap. It may just take some time to find that match.

Should be possible for the right dog, especially if she adopts a very old one, 10+ - there's usually a lot of small, old dogs whose owners have passed away who find it near enough impossible to find a new home.

Thanks all, this has given me some hope. She is looking for a small 10ish year old dog. Her mobility isn't great, but she's fine around the house and garden. I live very close by and work PT so happy to walk the dog for her. The youngest grandchild is 13 and unfortunately not particularly interested in hanging out with her grandparents anymore!

She (or you) could post on Facebook? "Dog wanted".

Would you be willing to take on the dog if your mother dies before it or becomes unable to look after it? A cat rescue agreed to let my elderly mother take on a cat because I agreed that if necessary it would come to me.

Has she tried Cinnamon Trust? I would imagine they get elderly dogs who have lost elderly owners.

@dogdayz

Thanks all, this has given me some hope. She is looking for a small 10ish year old dog. Her mobility isn't great, but she's fine around the house and garden. I live very close by and work PT so happy to walk the dog for her. The youngest grandchild is 13 and unfortunately not particularly interested in hanging out with her grandparents anymore!

Whereabouts are you? I saw this cutie on Dogs Trust but he's up at Darlington: www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/dog/filters/~~~~~n~~sec/1249886/jack?size=small&age=5

I would talk to rescues in terms of taking the very elderly dogs, perhaps even the palliative foster cases. Basically, the ones with not long left who just need a sofa and a garden to potter in.

Plenty of 10 year old jrts would be too much for her though - they're like Duracell bunnies and definitely haven't given up on walks at that age.

Would a dog walker be an option?

www.oldies.org.uk/

Has she tried there?

@tabulahrasa

www.oldies.org.uk/

Has she tried there?

This is a good suggestion. They rehome (and advertise for other rescues) dogs over 7 years old. Dogs Trust will also rehome to older people if the fit is right with the dog.

Thank you all some great suggestions! My mum doesn't have access to the internet (well she doesn't know how to access it) I am busy liking lots of FB pages at present. I really like the idea of the Cinnamon Trust, I think a foster might be the way forward

If you’re thinking fostering might be an option - there’s also this

www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/hope-project-freedom-project/freedom-project

My.mum was considering a great dane at this age 🙄🤣 Luckily she saw sense and her dog is a great comfort.

@DogBirthday

My.mum was considering a great dane at this age 🙄🤣 Luckily she saw sense and her dog is a great comfort.

ah my mum loves all dogs so would be the same!

[quote tabulahrasa]If you’re thinking fostering might be an option - there’s also this

www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/hope-project-freedom-project/freedom-project[/quote]
Thank you I will have a chat with her about it. The only problem is she wouldn't want to return the dog back to the owner!

Get a dog for her. Loads of people do that. As long as the dog has someone to care for it when and if (hopefully not) your mum goes first.

I live with my son and DiL and I know they will have my cat when I go.

@WoodchipNightmares

I would talk to rescues in terms of taking the very elderly dogs, perhaps even the palliative foster cases. Basically, the ones with not long left who just need a sofa and a garden to potter in.

Plenty of 10 year old jrts would be too much for her though - they're like Duracell bunnies and definitely haven't given up on walks at that age.

Would a dog walker be an option?

She would definitely use a dog walker - or me. She rescued the JRT when she was 10 and dog hadn't really been walked and detested other dogs so she just exercised in the garden. Not ideal but better than her previous home.

Have you looked at borrow my doggy? As far as I know people with dogs match up with people without dogs to take care of their dogs when at work/holidays etc.

Presumably you're going to take on the dog if anything happens to her? So why don't you get the dog and give it to her to look after for as long as she can?

We hit a similar block when my DGM lost her border collie in her 70s. She was still actually fit and working at the family business at the time. My uncle is also a keen walker and visited my DGM daily at the time.

Lots of larger charities will turn you down but if you approach smaller charities there should be a board of trustees, who you can request take your individual circumstances into consideration.