Am I an idiot?

[CanteringCarrot]

Ok, the answer to that question is yes but...


So...I have one Lab, my 3 year old spayed female, and I've been thinking that she might like some company. She has other neighborhood dogs to play with and she really enjoys that, and is very good at being social.

So I'm looking at the local animal shelters FB page (first mistake) and see a 10 year old Lab up for adoption that is said to be, "calm, cuddly, and enjoys the company of other dogs" and her face...oh her face. So I'm thinking about inquiring and giving the old girl a home for however long she has left. She seems reasonably healthy, but I'd have to learn more.

OH thinks an old dog = an expensive dog... But I also think any dog can be that. I'd or course ask more questions and she'd meet my existing Lab, but am I an idiot for taking on a senior? Is there anything I should really consider?

I am 100% willing to euth any of my animals should their quality of life decline and accept that she has less time left in her than a younger dog, but any dog can get any thing/ailment so...

Also, can I deal with Lab shedding x2? Idk.

 

[Clodagh]

Well yes just go and get her. ?.
If you can afford it and the vets bills. Also if I was taking on an older dog I’d maybe want to be cut and dried in my mind what I’d spend on maintenance.
Brandy, our old lab, costs about £100 a month in librella, supplements and so on. I don’t begrudge it as we have fabulous lifelong memories with her. Would I if I’d taken her on when those costs were imminent?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

No, of course you are not an idiot. Our dogs almost always live in pairs/groups, we have only ever had one that was happier being an only dog. And the rescue will have made sure that the 10 yr old is sociable.
Older dogs can struggle to find new homes and yet they are the ones that arguably are most in need. You sound like the perfect home, your 3 yr old is adult enough to not be a nuisance for the oldie and you have lab experience. Give them a ring,

 

[KittenInTheTree]

I think older dogs are great, and it reads to me as if you've got a realistic view of things. Go for it!

 

[ArklePig]

Sadly there aren't many people lining up to give 10 year old dogs a home, so if you can, then why not? If you can afford her in money and time do it.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Ok, I'm going to swing by and inquire. She's only 15 min away.

I do want to get an idea of her health. From the picture she has good teeth, but that's about all I can tell. I'm fine with some joint maintenance, but I'm not fine with drugging up a dog 3 different ways to make them barely comfortable, and do have some lines in the sand.

My 3 year old is fairly calm, unless other dogs want to play. If they tell her to F off, she listens and is quite submissive overall. I walk her everyday anyway, so adding another isn't too bad. In the event I can't walk them (if I injure myself, as I do sometimes ?), OH can be available and we also have a large fenced in garden that's good for romping and big enough for some fetch and whatnot. So either way there is always outside time.

Dog food is expensive, and I'd be interested to know if she has any special dietary requirements.

I'd also like to know her back story. We do have members of the Armed Forces around here, and sadly sometimes they move and leave the pets behind. Ours come with us, regardless of the country, and this older dog wouldn't see a move with us, I think. It's highly likely that she will die before our next (in country) move. Plus prices have gone up on everything so I think times are tough in general.

We've got a good set up, and I'm not thrilled with extra costs but on the plus side current horse costs roughly 150 to 200€ less than the last one per month. So there's "extra" in the animal department...that should probably go into savings but YOLO and all that.

We do have stairs leading down to the garden so I'd have to see how her mobility is.

 

[AmyMay]

Can’t wait to see the photos ???

 

[nagblagger]

Also ask whether the rescue help with ongoing vet costs - some do if they are already on a special diet or medication

 

[CanteringCarrot]

That's not really a thing here, but I can ask. It's hard enough for them to stay afloat, I think.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

So lovely to hear someone is hoping to take on an older dog. It must be so rewarding. Good luck x

 

[Red-1]

Older dogs are the best!

Can't wait for photos!

 

[Moobli]

I think oldies can be very rewarding. I hope she finds a home with you

 

[JJS]

I think it sounds like a wonderful idea

One of the best dogs I’ve ever had turned up on our doorstep when she was around eight (she’d been abandoned on a main road not far from our house). She was perfect in every way, and we were lucky enough to have eight incredible years with her. She never cost anything in vets bills, except for the cost of PTS as a very old and very loved lady. (I’m welling up as I write this and think of her, which just goes to show what a wonderful and treasured addition to our family she was.)

 

[Bionic Boy]

I think it’s a lovely thing to do and you obviously have the backing from everyone here ?

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

They’re pack animals so I’d always say yes. I think you’ve raised sensible queries eg mobility/dietary requirements. I too look forward to pictures!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

We've had several Labs live to well over 10, with no chronic medical issues, so, while every dog is an individual, that aspect wouldn't concern me unduly and of course the rescue will be able to tell you if she currently needs medication.

 

[meleeka]

I always seem to end up with older dogs, so it’s a yes from me ?

 

[scats]

I think it’s a fabulous idea. Generally nobody wants older dogs so you will change this animals whole life
Pictures are a must!

 

[TheresaW]

We’ve taken on two older dogs over the last few years. One was 10.5 and we lost him at 13 when his back legs went. He was grossly overweight when we got him which although we got some weight off him, damage was done.
We’ve had Ellie about 18 months, and she’s 13 now. Only issue she has are slight kidney problems. She’s on a special diet, but fit as a fiddle generally, just a bit deaf.

Both Border Collies

 

[wren123]

I'd take her but be aware that as she gets older her exercise requirements may lessen compared to your younger labs, you may not be able to take her on really long walks.
Also like Clodagh we spend about £100 a month on librella and supplements, our lab is 14. The librela is a real game changer for our dog.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

So I went to see her and also see what else they had that might be suitable. She's definitely a Lab mix (only saw a headshot originally), with a very thick coat with some curl to it. She's very odd shaped in her rib cage and shoulders. All around she's an ugly dog, tbh, and I'm probably terrible for saying that, but some are just ugly to me! Which doesn't mean much, really. She does have some major plaque on her back teeth, and doesn't seem to stiff or rickety in her movement.

She seemed generally uninterested in the cats in the cat room (actually found a cat that I would've taken home but mine really likes his solo cat existence, and dogs are whatever to him). She wagged her tail when other dogs were playing, but likely wouldn't be nearly as playful as our 3 year old. Generally our 3 year old doesn't pester and can understand "no" from another dog though.

My concerns are that she seemed totally uninterested in me and her exercise requirements would likely be less, so when we do our long hikes (can be half day or more) she'd likely have to stay home, so maybe an older dog might not be best? Granted we don't do such long hikes here as we used to at our last place because there are far less options. So might not be a huge concern.

I could bring her home for a week trial period. There were some younger males there, but I'm really a female dog person.

This older dog originally was surrendered because she's old (people do that). OH thinks that likely means that she wees in the house, but I don't know. She was bonded to another dog and someone adopted them both. Then she bit their kid and they sent her back, but kept the other. I don't hold the kid biting against her and we don't have kids. The kid was all up in her face, tugging her ears, and being obnoxious and she nipped the kids cheek. Mostly sounds like a lack of training the kid how to be around dogs vs training the dog, but just my personal opinion and not a worry for me.

I just didn't feel any connection though.

So I might bring my Lab there tomorrow to meet her and possibly another female mix to see if they hit it off. Otherwise there is 5 year old I have interest in at another shelter (Mastiff/Lab/something) but need more details. They have a very very nice looking male Lab there too.

I'm also not sure if I should just get a Lab from a breeder. I'd love a yellow, but there are also many rescue dogs needing homes. People love to breed mutts here! The added complication is that many of these rescue dogs are adults that don't do well with cats, and that's a no. So it's tricky.

Not quite sure which direction I'll go in, but maybe will decide more tomorrow when I bring my Lab with me.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

At least her lack of interest in cats is a positive. I would imagine that she keeps herself 'safe' by not getting too friendly with new people if she has already lost 2 homes. If she gets on well with your 3 yr old, I would say that I would have her.
I certainly wouldn't take her for a week's trial, that would be totally unfair imo.
If after she's met your dog and all is well but you are still not certain, I would ask the rescue if you can pop in to see her every day for a week and see if she relaxes and responds to you.
Having had several adult rehomes, I would say that it takes a while for them to relax and feel secure in a new home.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Yeah, I'm basically letting mine decide. If they hit it off or seem relaxed with each other, then we can bring her home. She's 15 min away so we could also pop in and exercise her with mine every day too.

 

[Clodagh]

I’ve only had a couple of rescues but would say Red blanks people when she doesn’t know them. They can talk to her but she just doesn’t acknowledge them at all.
@Spotherisk had her for a few days for me and then I picked her up in a car park. She didn’t fight going with me but it was like a mannequin. She has got more and more expressive as she finds her feet. Mind you she had also had very little life experience.
I think seeing what your dog thinks is a good idea.

 

[FestiveG]

Before we got the brown girl, we were offered an adult golden retriever. We took her for a walk with our two and the day care dog, our two took no notice of her at all and the day care dog was scared of her. She ignored them all, we all agreed that she was not for us.

 

[nagblagger]

Hopefully your dog will bring her out of her shell and it's great you're trying, many people would have just walked away. It's so sad an elderly dog being put in kennels, rehomed, returned and losing her 'friend', no wonder she's shut down.
Keep us updated as this in one thread i will be following.

 

[gallopingby]

She’s maybe just ‘shut down’ used to have a home with her mate then moved and moved again and now not sure what her future holds? Will be good to see how she gets on with your young dog.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Some dogs just aren't thrilled to meet new people. She probably sees a fair few at the rescue. One of mine is wary of people and has only just started not scampering off if someone tries to stroke him.

I know what you mean about funny looking, I freely admit I like good looking dogs. I'm a sucker for a pretty face! Possibly explains why I'm quite fond of Goose. ?

 

[AmyMay]

If you feel she’s not the dog for you, don’t feel pressured to make it work.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

She is funny looking. A horrible shape, and idk what kind of breeding produced this.

If the vibe is right with my existing Lab, that's really what matters. We can adjust other things or accommodate, for the most part.