Are we too old to rescue an 8-year-old lurcher?

[Freysimo]

DH and I are in mid 70s, fortunately fit and active with no major health issues, but obviously realise this could quickly change due to our ages. Our beloved rescue lurcher girl was PTS six months ago, having suffered with dementia. I'm now thinking of a rescue, 7-8 plus, but DH thinks we're too old.

I really miss walking our dog, it was a big part of my social life, but feel it wouldn't be fair if DH isn't fully on board. I do think he could be persuaded though!

We're not interested in holidaying abroad any longer and would be home most of the time.

There's a lovely lurcher lad turned up on our local rescue website, aged 8 and I'm sorely tempted.

Please give me your pros and cons!

The average Golden Retriever life expectancy is 10-12 years, max.

Also, without knowing the man's family circumstances which vary massively from OPs, you're really in no place to judge.

But being ageist is never acceptable - regardless of whether you know the context or not.

Oooh, please do it. Older dogs are so often over looked how lovely it would be for you both and the dog.

I know a lot of people over 70 who are excellent dog owners. I'd say go for it.

Not ageist, being aged myself. Realistic.

Our last cat died three years ago so this won't be a problem. I think it's the first time we haven't had to consider a cat when adopting a dog! Our lurcher had NO prey drive at all, but appreciate this is unusual.

You sound like excellent candidates for adopting an older dog 🐕

Go for it!

Yes, having to get out twice a day is what I miss. I do yoga and still walk but I sure my fitness levels have suffered. We've had horrendous wet weather here in Wales November to now and our old girl definitely wouldn't have liked that.

Apply.

Yes they could say no, they could also say yes !

You sound very experienced, and it's not that you want a puppy.

Being realistic - there are 2 of you, thus a 50% chance one of you may be unwell or die before a 7 year old dog does.

Yes my fitness had definitely suffered and is much improved now. Without a dog me and DH just do not tend to go out walking unless it is for a purpose.

It's funny because we have had quite a few dogs over the years and none of them have been bothered by rain. In fact our last one loved the rain and would ask to go in the garden to stand in it! Our new boy hates the rain and will make it clear he does not want to walk in it. We even bought him a Barbour dog coat to keep him dry but he was not impressed!

We have had cats most of our married life and would love another but certainly could not now. Our new boy has such a high prey drive it is untrue.

I think adopting an 8 year old dog would be reasonable, as long as you have a support network to care for the dog/help out if one of you became ill/had to go into hospital for an extended time.

It wouldn't be fair for the dog if you didn't, as they would potentially need to be rehomed again when they are elderly themselves.

We don't have a "support network" and this is what is giving us pause. We are fit and active, not just "for our age" but appreciate things can change quickly at our time of life.

Then you have to consider what would happen to the dog if one of you or both of you became ill in the next few years.

Obviously no one wants that but it is a question to be considered.

Without a support network I wouldn't adopt a dog in my mid 70s (sorry). The risk of the dog having to be rehomed in a few years when they are elderly would worry me too much.

Honestly I think apply. The odds are in your favour that you outlive an 8yo lurcher. My MIL is in her late 80s and fit and well and driving a tractor about. You never know.

My mum died younger than you of cancer and had a dog. I'd have taken the dog if needed but a neighbour suggested another neighbour and when we offered him the dog he was overjoyed. So again you never know who might step up.

If you did struggle with mobility when older maybe borrow my doggy could work for you where someone borrows your dog. Or pay a dog walker/teenager. But having the dog will probably help keep you fit for longer.

MY parents adopted a retired greyhound as experienced dog owners in their 70's and despite a few challenges they do not regret the decision 5 years on and that dog is living it's best life.
Agree with the advice not to let the dog upstairs and get it used to sleeping downstairs. This has become an important decision as my parents have aged and as one parent has experienced reduced mobility.
The mental and physical benefits for my parents and the quality of life the dog has are excellent.
They did need to use a dog walker for a period early on when the fittest parent, unused to sight hounds, took their eye off the ball and the lead jerked suddenly causing a fall and a displaced clavicle. I suspect as experienced sight hound owners this wouldn't happen to you.

Ive also seen that these giant house horses are surprising calm and predictable in the house around people with reduced mobility and going through rehab and actually much safer than a smaller excitable terrier!

You already know what you're getting into on food insurance and vet costs so good for it!

Do it! It sounds perfect for you! A dog will keep you fit, socialised and emotionally healthy. If the dog is a 7 year old lurcher you should easily be able to care for it throughout its life - although of course none of us can precisely predict the future.

I feel very strongly that dogs can be wonderful companions for us as we age and can often prolong our lives. Many people deprive themselves of this connection which is sad. If you were mid-eighties, I might give a different reply, but adopting a mature dog when you are in your mid-seventies sounds ideal.

Sounds perfect! I have friends in their early 70s who have taken on puppies. They've become so much more energetic and active. Go for it!

I don’t think 70 is old and a dog keeps you young! And fit - all those miserable days you’d rather not go out! I think if you know the breed you’re most of the way there.

cons - can be a bit tying. But we have a dog walker if we need to go out
pros - everything else!

I love to see people rescuing 🥰

In your circumstances I would rehome the dog. You have a lot to give and it seems daft not to do so just in case the eight year old may outlive you.

I am influenced by my relatives decision to get a dog after a bereavement. He is late 80s with a young dog and the exercise and meeting people on dog walks is far better than any medicine or gym membership.

Just a wee story:

There is a lady that walks her dog every day in the same place I walk mine, her dog is 8 years old now. I have known her dog since he was a puppy, we are on 1st name terms tho not friends but we do have the odd chat here and there. I also know which road she lives in tho not which number but that could easily be found I believe by asking neighbours.

One day she said she was worried about what would happen to her dog if she was rushed into hospital for an operation / died.

I immediately said I would have her dog,
and when she thought about it for a minute she believed there are 2 other regular dog walkers that would have her dog ( both of whom are known to me but not on 1st name terms tho I know that name of one of the dogs :)

Based on that, I think there is a very good chance your dog to be would be rehomed by a friendly dog walker if the need ever arose.

Just make sure a neighbour has a spare key just incase.

Rescues are crying out for experienced dog owners esp ones that have had the same breed previously.

Right now what is the worst that could happen ? - they say no to your application.

I adopted a Saluki lurcher X when I was 68 and he was 7 and honestly it's been one of my best decisions. He's just the best, affectionate, goofy dog though his prey drive is very high. At 8 your lurcher will still need daily off lead walks but you already know that, you sound perfect for each other!

Agree is sounds ideal. Older dogs often get overlooked. I think you're being sensible looking at an older / mature dog given your ages.
I'm 32 and have two young energetic dogs. We are super active daily.
I could fall over and break a leg tomorrow and life would be very different but why live like that.
Are you financially secure? If your health changed could you afford a dog walker? Is there a contingency plan? Most rescues will offer a back up. Better a dog has a loving home for as long as possible than stay in kennels. Who knows what the future holds for any of us

I foster for a lurcher rescue, and I think that you'd be great. The rescue I know will always take a dog back if the owner can no longer cope for whatever reason, and you could always use a dog walker for times of injury etc. Give them a call and have a chat. Or EGLR have the lovely Evie who is 10 and sadly came back due to her owners death https://lurcher.org.uk/evie/ and is gorgeous

We are financially secure so could easily afford dog walkers etc. I was a volunteer myself for the Cinnamon Trust and saw how much their pets meant to the elderly. I suppose I must describe myself as that now, although I don't feel it!

We're quite a way from Evesham (West Wales) but Evie looks lovely. There are a couple of lurcher/greyhound rescues not that far from us and local rescue is very near.

We won't set any wheels in motion before Easter but I'll be back to let you all know. I appreciate all the comments and advice.

Distance isn't an issue, theres a countrywide network of homecheckers - my last foster went to a family in London.

Quick update: I contacted local rescue and they thought he might be too strong for me on lead and actually weren't very encouraging about applying in the future. Fair enough, but I wonder if I'm going to come up against this a lot with rescues because of our age? I know of an elderly widow whose dog died and she's had problems adopting even an older dog. I'm away end of this month for a week so will need rethink when I'm back.