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The doghouse

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

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Original poster

Taking on an old dog

23 replies

shiningcuckoo · 05/06/2023 09:31

I lost my lovely old girl during lockdown and haven't been thinking about getting a new dog until now. Since then I have been diagnosed with a life limiting illness. My teens are growing up and finding their own lives and I am becoming quite lonely. I started to think about taking on an adult dog and had a big conversation with a friend who promised me that if I had a dog she would take it on should my illness quickly progress and I die. I have come across a miniature Jack Russell whose owner has been made homeless and he is living in a caravan where dogs aren't allowed. He needs to find her a new home - but she is 15. Part of me feels that it would be the right thing to do as we are both looking down the barrel of the end of our lives and I would be rescuing a dog that realistically no one else is going to take on. But then am I opening a world of trouble for myself?

OP posts:

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 05/06/2023 11:03

I would happily take on an older dog up to say 10… not sure id take on such an old dog. I’d (sadly) be surprised if you got a year with them. JRTs are hardy little things but they at that age may find a move very disorienting. It could literally be 6 months of funding the vets next 3 ski holidays to just have to PTS.

Everyone says this… but what about a slightly older grey? Easy to do and plenty looking for homes!

Plump82 · 05/06/2023 11:09

I think I'd do it. Just think what a lovely wee life you'd give her for however long she has left. I'd just have to make sure I was mentally prepared for not having very long with her.

Thesunwillcomeoutverysoon · 05/06/2023 11:12

We took on ddog who was 9. Would have taken her whatever age. She is amazing and still sprightly at 14.... You could have a few good years op. And your new ddog would have a forever home however long that may be.

Azealeasinbloom · 05/06/2023 11:14

I think if you are able to approach it as you giving her the very best end to her life that you can, and will feel good doing it, then I would say go for it.

Sorry to hear you are facing your own challenges, OP. 💐 for you.

BreakfastClubs · 05/06/2023 11:14

I'd happily take an older dog. Of course it's sad to know that you'll lose them sooner but it's worth it to know that you're giving them a good home and to make their last years better. I took on a 13 year old dog and we had 4 1/2 years with her and I don't regret it for a minute.

travelingtortoise · 05/06/2023 11:14

I adopted a senior boy 3 years ago. Best decision I've made in a long, long time.

I don't live in the UK so vet bills / insurance are very low where I am – if you're UK based you'll want to think about health-related costs.

But that aside, if you like her and she likes you, go for it.

Elderly pooches are just the best. And it sounds like you two need each other 😊

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 05/06/2023 11:17

My concern would be paying for any medical care as at 15 she will likely be uninsurable.

If you can afford ongoing costs like medication then go for it 🥰

Stratocumulus · 05/06/2023 11:17

Do it! Just do it.

I think Digs Trust have a scheme whereby if anything happens to you, they will help.

Also likewise with the Cinnamon Trust (look them up) will help plus when/if you can no longer walk, they will organise local dog walkers.
My daughter walks two dogs for the Trust every week. The owners are elderly and not very ambulant.

Stratocumulus · 05/06/2023 11:18

Dogs Trust!

IBetGordonRamsayDoesntHaveTheseProblems · 05/06/2023 11:28

Do you have some spare funds for vets bills? The inevitability is that the dog will be uninsurable.

However, JRTs are hardy little things and of all the breeds they tend to go on longest with fewest health problems. If the dog isn't currently on expensive medication, and you can either fund lots of vets fees yourself or would conclude that PTS was a better option than expensive invasive treatment at this age, I'd go for it.

You could consider a joint ownership model with the current owner - most suitable if his primary issue is lack of available accommodation rather than lack of money - an all too common scenario in this housing crisis. Perhaps he could keep paying the pet insurance, and have the dog registered in both names, with visits an option. Realistically this dog hasn't got more than a year or two left so it's not going to be a long term arrangement.

Newpeep · 05/06/2023 11:57

If you can afford the vets bills and realise it is palliative at this stage then go for it. I know quite a few people who do this with older rescues and it is really rewarding just loving them for the last months or years of their lives.

hiredandsqueak · 05/06/2023 12:06

We took on Bella when she was nearly nine, she's coming up to fourteen now and whilst older she is still sprightly. I think that whilst it's sad that I won't have her as long as I might have had with a young pup she will have had some happy years that she might not have had (was a puppy farm dog) and that is what counts. I think the companionship of an older dog might be just what you need if you feel yo can meet an associated costs of an older dog.

Letsnotargue · 05/06/2023 12:29

We adopted an 11.5 year old greyhound, from a poor situation. We knew we wouldn’t have long with him, only 9 months in the end, but I don’t regret it for a minute. We knew that we were his pampered retirement home and he had a lovely time with us with lots of treats, sunny days in the garden, and lovely walks.

The likelihood is that your vets bills won’t be too bad, at that age most illness investigations would not be in the dog’s best interests. Ours ended up with a suspected brain tumour and although they mentioned MRI scans etc we knew that wasn’t the right thing for him at home stage so we gave him palliative care until it was his time.

It was still very sad when we had to have him PTS, but we knew that we had added some lovely last months for him.

Original poster

shiningcuckoo · 05/06/2023 14:06

Thanks for all the comments. I don't live in the UK and pet insurance isn't really a thing here. Her dad has essentially been made homeless and is living in a caravan on a park where he can't have a dog. I think that he's pretty strapped for cash.

OP posts:

userxx · 05/06/2023 14:11

I love older dogs, do it!

cocksstrideintheevening · 05/06/2023 14:15

I've never heard of a miniature jrt what is the life expectancy?

Can you afford vet bills? Can your friend?

Ive got an old terrier and his health needs are starting to get £££££ also more of a tie to the house. He used to come in holiday with us but can't anymore as it's too stressful for him, needs 12 hourly injections.

What sort of health is he in now?

AuntieJune · 05/06/2023 14:18

What happens if the owner's fortunes improve? Will he be back to reclaim his dog?

Roselilly36 · 05/06/2023 14:18

Aww sad for the little dog, but you can’t really compare taking on a dog at 9yrs to being 15yrs. JRT are hardy, but I don’t think I could stand the upset of losing them possibly fairly quickly after taking ownership. Depends if you feel you could cope with that. Sorry to hear of your situation too OP . Do whatever is right for you. Good luck.

Iheartmysmart · 05/06/2023 14:20

My parents took on an older dog. Poor thing’s owner had died and the dog had been passed around the family, none of them wanted him and he was pretty thin and neglected when they took him on.

He had a great last year with them being spoilt rotten and they loved having a dog again, even it was just a short time.

BanditsOnTheHorizon · 05/06/2023 14:59

Can you foster dogs, that way, if something happens to you, the charity will ensure the dog is cared for if you're not around.

I do this with a local charity and it's lovely to see all these dogs that come into my life, sometimes for a short period of time, and others for a longer period of time, go onto having loving families. They also pay for any vet treatment and they insure them so you don't have the financial burden

Stopdropnroll · 05/06/2023 15:15

We adopted a 14 Yr old JRT last year and it's the best thing we could have done. She's fitted right into our family and is loving all the attention she gets. She was a little over weight when she came to us and I suspect was just being let out in the garden but with plenty of short walks and having sorted her diet out she's slimmed down, her coat looks amazing too since she's been with us. She can do longer walks too if we go for one but it generally means she's conked out for all of the following day.

As Paul OGrady said, you don't think of the hangover while you're at the party, so I'm just focused on giving her a lovely home to see out her last year's, however few that may be.

I know you said that you might be the only person will to take the dog on but I wouldn't be so sure, I'd been quite quick off the mark agreeing to trial her with us but I know there were a number of others who'd said they'd take her on.

kenadams86 · 05/06/2023 15:20

Do it!
I have a 17 year old JRT. She's frail now but shows no signs of stopping so far. Some live till they are 20. You could have a couple more years with her if she is currently healthy

DorritLittle · 05/06/2023 15:27

Do it OP. I admit I don’t have a dog but I have adopted several much older cats and when I feel sad about losing them sooner than I would like I remind myself I am giving them a good retirement!

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