Am I being selfish to want to adopt a dog?

[blobby10]

Following my divorce in 2015 our two labradors and now young adult children stayed with me. Dogs died in 2017 and 2018 (both aged 14) . My partner died Nov 22 and children all live away and I'm wondering whether to try to adopt a dog but I'm worried its for selfish reasons as I'm lonely.

I work full time - not an issue as I run the business and the dog can come to work with me in the offices and on the rare occasions I visit customers. There are numerous footpaths and fields to walk in between home and work if we get fed up with walking around home plus my parents have two big fields we could use.

I live alone except for DS#2 who is temporarily living with me and working at home - dog could stay with him at home initially until she settles? House has a garden albeit it small.

If my plans comes to fruition I will get a one person caravan in the spring and plan to visit many areas of the UK for weekend trips to go walking which obv dog would come too.
My main hobbies are gym (when I'm fit) 90 mins at 5am. cycling is 2-3 hours a day at the weekend and occasionally after work in the summer. I don't go abroad or visit friends for weekends or do any social stuff.
My parents and two sisters all have adopted dogs and I have learned a huge amount from them - things to do and not to do! . I am much much calmer and quieter than I was when we had the labradors and don't have young children or grandchildren around. Am I the right sort of person to be considered suitable to adopt a dog or does the fact that I work full time preclude me?

Any dog would be so happy to live that life. You would only be unfair to just rescue one... get two!!

You sound fabulous - there are a lot of dogs who benefit from a single adult female household where they can hang out with their mum at work. As a fosterer, several of mine went to single adult households where they worked FT, and had a solid dog care plan. EGLR would rehome to you based on what you've said

Oh wow thank you so much @Dartmoorcheffy and @CMOTDibbler for replying. I was recommended the Many Tears rescue centre in Wales - they have a lovely girl on there who for some reason I'm really drawn to. I will give them a call .

it's fine to want a dog for companionship just do it 😀

Seems your reasons are a lot less selfish than most.
It all sounds fine except you could maybe swap out the cycling for long walks.

Do it! That sounds like an amazing set up for a dog.

My dogs came to work with me for years. I once had a rescue who had been abused for the first year who took his job very seriously and loved it! He would be waiting at the door from first thing.

I have found pretty much most dogs care about is being with you. Everything else is a bonus.

I think you'd be unreasonable to get one
Get two

I also think it would be unreasonable not to come back and show us pics

Definitely. Can’t wait to hear of you and pooch having lots of adventures together

Oh wow thank you so much for all your encouragement. I sent off an email last night with pretty much what I said in my opening post before realising they'd probably rather have the contact form filled out. 🤦‍♀️

But I do promise to update if and when things progress

I know a lovely dog that came from Many Tears. Good luck!

Do it! I can tell you that I live with other people but my absolute joy and peace is when I go camping/hiking alone with my dog. I plan my holidays to do this!You'll bring joy to each other.

Many Tears had a lovely rough collie called Bobby in a couple of days ago... you sound brill and any woofer will love living with you.

Just jumping on to echo what everyone else has said - you sound like any dog’s dream home. Wishing you all the happiness with your new best friend!

What a lovely post to read, OP ❤️. Dogs4Rescue is an amazing charity who I'm sure would consider someone like you. And I agree with the other poster who said get 2! You won't regret it! Watching this thread with interest. Good luck x

Go for it! Sounds like you have thought about everything.

Do it. But get two. Have fun!

Just got an email back from Many Tears and the dog I applied for isn't suitable for travelling with me to work etc.

Do I just trawl through all the dogs available or could I phone the centre and ask them? I'm aware they are all volunteers and really busy 😢

You sound perfectly suited. You and the dog would have a great life! Good luck & enjoy.

That’s a shame. Maybe try a few charities, if you tell them about yourself most would be happy to try and match you to a dog, and it shows you’re not just going for the cute photos. Good luck!

If you're on Facebook have a look for This is Their Happy Ending. They have lots of dogs currently in foster in the UK and more in Bosnia ready to travel in the next couple of weeks. Ours came from a shelter in Bulgaria called Street Hearts Bulgaria, I can highly recommend them too as an organisation, my DCs are often fundraising for them.

Dogs get put down all the time because they can’t find homes

Most pets are boyght for selfish reasons

Of course you can have another dog. adopt if you can or but if the shelters are too fussy.

Retired greyhounds would suit your lifestyle.

You sound like you'd give a dog a wonderful home. He/she won't be home alone which is the main reason not to want a working owner.

Try Dogs' Trust?

Many Tears are an amazing rescue, but they tend to have ex breeding dogs that very often need to live with other dogs, so they possibly aren’t the best rescue for you. Have a look at Silver Fox or Angel Small Paws (although both have smaller dogs so if that’s not what you’re after then maybe not) I’m a registered homechecker for a lot of rescues. From what you’ve said, if your garden is secure, you would pass with flying colours xx