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The doghouse

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

Fallen for a rescue… guessing others will too

8 replies

TeenLifeMum · 25/10/2024 17:28

For context, I have a 4yo cocker spaniel currently undergoing chemo. He’s responding well and is not obviously ill but he’s a little more tired (in spaniel terms - still bombing around but we can see a difference). Initially we thought we had weeks maximum but then chemo became an option. So long as his quality of life continues, we’ll keep going. We love and adore him.

Thinking we were losing him, we couldn’t imagine “replacing” him but also know we need a dog in our family. It’s been an emotional couple of months but we are over the shock and all is going well.

Today I saw a local rescue has a beautiful older puppy looking for a home. I see them all the time (follow on fb) but this pup caught my eye and I mentioned to dh, assuming he’d give a hard no. He didn’t. He looked at the details and said “I’m not saying no. If you want to express interest, I’m happy for you to do that”… I did pause for thought. It feels right. Totally bonkers, but right.

I’m not sure why I’m posting other than I don’t want to tell friends as there’s a high chance there will be competition and she’ll go to a different home, but I’m keeping everything crossed that they will consider us and let us learn more about her. I’m in too deep. I’ve even named her in my head.

OP posts:
ComfortandHappiness · 25/10/2024 17:32

If your own dog is ill would it be fair to bring in a puppy?

Clearinguptheclutter · 25/10/2024 17:34

Doesn’t seem fair on your other dog tbh

AutumnLeaves24 · 25/10/2024 17:41

My friend got a puppy when her elderly dog was unwell, I actually thought it was really mean. I loved her dog & thought imposing the new puppy was heartless.

All because she didn't want to be without a dog.

she had only had the puppy a really short time when her dog died. We all broke our hearts as he was a very very much loved dog.

The puppy really did help her cope. It gave her a reason to get up & on with her day (retired, adult children not living there) & obviously he was a very cute distraction!

Dog had helped train the puppy re dog things like toileting outside & helped him settle in.

Looking back at the photos of them together is lovely & in someways, pup feels like less of a 'replacement' because they were both there.

i guess we'll never know, but I hope Dog didn't feel any resentment/hurt. I guess not (with my sensible head on!) as he didn't know he was going to die?!

get the rescue. Hope they get on well & enjoy them both.

best of luck.

& big hugs to your cocker spaniel for many more years!! Cocker Spaniels are 'my' breed!! ☺️

Ylvamoon · 25/10/2024 17:44

Don't do it... or at least wait until your dog is a lot better, if not cured if you want a second dog.
Shock, grief and hope can put us on a roller coaster of emotions and make us do irrational things.

TeenLifeMum · 25/10/2024 17:53

If ddog was actually poorly with symptoms I wouldn’t even consider it, but he’s not and loves company of other dogs. He’s never been territorial. We have rabbits that play with him and used to have a cat but she died. He’s totally chilled. We would also meet and see. If they didn’t click then so be it. It probably won’t happen, and it would only be if it felt like a right fit.

OP posts:
Rubia3 · 25/10/2024 18:05

Something similar happened to me. My dog was entering late stage dementia and I wasn’t actively looking for another dog when I saw my present dog’s story on my local rescue’s fb page and something clicked.
I adopted her and surprisingly, my older dog really enjoyed her company because she was submissive and let him chase her in play (he was a whippet who adored chasing). He was gone 6 months later, but not before he’d helped her lose her fear of the dark and of going for walks and showed her I could be trusted (he didn’t help with toilet training because he’d become doubly incontinent himself, so that bit was fun🙄).
When he died, she was a massive comfort, accompanying me on long, long walks because I couldn’t bear to be in the house with his absence, and sitting quietly beside me when I cried, without fussing.
At a time when he was no longer able to be as active as he had been, he enjoyed the stimulation/novelty of her company, and him bonding with and teaching her was his last huge gift to me.

TeenLifeMum · 25/10/2024 18:54

@Rubia3 thank you, that’s what I’m thinking. I also wouldn’t go ahead if they didn’t click. He’s very very submissive and wonderful with puppies. We are able to be home lots so it all feels possible.

OP posts:
Bupster · 25/10/2024 19:14

Ignore the MN police. You've clearly thought deeply about this, and if it also feels right, then best of luck to you x

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