Sort of excited

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Snuffles

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I wish my OH was still here to bounce my thoughts off. You all will have to do :D

Just had a call from Gordon Setter Rescue, they have a 11 year old bitch that needs rehoming
I absolutely adore Gordons having had 4, BUT I originally was looking for a dog to "follow on" with my 12 year old.
My heart is saying Yes but my head is saying I will only have a short time with her if I take her on. Could be faced with losing 2 dogs close together ! Bearing in mind the Clumber spaniel experience, which still upsets me. Im rather hoping my old dog wont like her as Ive agreed to a meet. Why am I so stupid
 
I dunno, Snuffles, I kinda want to urge caution. You had heartbreak with the clumber and now a senior dog. I might be projecting, one of mine is old and frankly doddery, I'm dreading the inevitable end. Life expectancy of a GS is 10-12.

Saying that, how can you refuse to make an old lady's end of life less than fabulous?
 
You should do what feels best for you, but personally, I wouldn't want to go and see her, and expose myself to the temptation. Who knows, maybe she can live for a few more years, perhaps your current dog still have a few years left, but if I only had two dogs, I wouldn't want to have two dogs so close in age.

I know that there is no guarantees, and that it happens sometimes that young dogs die, but the odds are much better for that you will have more years together with a younger dog.
If you could consider to add a third dog, not too long into the future, I would be more positive about it.
 
Well Ive met her, she is beautiful and doesn't seem her age. Im going to have a deep think overnight. My head is telling me not to have her, my heart is saying it it probably the last chance I will have to have a Gordon as they are like hens teeth and I am not getting any younger. Her owner is lovely and devastated to have to rehome her and he would be happy for me to have her. Old dog not terribly impressed but I knew he wouldn't be. Its soo hard.
 
I think taking on older dogs is a lovely thing to do. you have however, had a fairly tough and expensive time of late with your animals and only you know if you're up for the potential expense and heartbreak of an older dog-and if your current dog will cope (my 12 yo did fwiw).

Plenty of Gordons up here? at least half a dozen breeders in the Central Belt although I realise that doesnt necessarily translate into readily available puppies.
 
TBH, I think you should have had the debate with yourself before going to meet the dog and her owner. It's not fair to either of them to go to meet them if you don't want her for reasons which have got nothing to do with her reaction to you and your dog. What will happen to the dog if you don't have her?

As your thread title mentions excited, I bet you decide to take her. Good luck!
 
PaS, The Rescue has another home lined up as back up, so no worries there.
MoC Well you are in Gordon country ! Thin on the ground here, I didn't want a puppy as knew older dog wouldn't cope, not many older ones about and very long waiting list at Rescue apparently, although of course each dog and home matched not necessarily in list order. Decision today, Im pretty sure it will be Yes. Owner had said he will cover all costs,insurance etc. Its the emotional thing of a short life, but then again I could be brown bread myself as not young anymore!
The forum seems fairly split on yeah or nay, but your arguments are pretty much the ones Ive had with myself!
 
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I would take her, especially if elderly expenses would be covered. I am though a live in the moment type person and losing my dogs, although very sad, is not as important as the life they had. Also I imagine that your older dog would much prefer an oldie rather than a younger dog that wants to bounce on him.
 
Snuffles said:
PaS, The Rescue has another home lined up as back up, so no worries there.
MoC Well you are in Gordon country ! Thin on the ground here, I didn't want a puppy as knew older dog wouldn't cope, not many older ones about and very long waiting list at Rescue apparently, although of course each dog and home matched not necessarily in list order. Decision today, Im pretty sure it will be Yes. Owner had said he will cover all costs,insurance etc. Its the emotional thing of a short life, but then again I could be brown bread myself as not young anymore!
The forum seems fairly split on yeah or nay, but your arguments are pretty much the ones Ive had with myself!
Click to expand...

well in that case, go for it :) they re such a handsome breed-we will want photos!
 
I think it is a wonderful thing to give a retirement home to an oldie, and it is exactly what I intend to do when I am older. Of course you have the heartbreak of losing them probably in a much shorter time frame than a puppy but that is the only downside as far as I can see.

I look forward to seeing photos ;)
 
She is visiting for the day without her owner on Friday to get a better idea of how she and old dog interact. That will be the test of whether Mr Possessive will accept her. It is a territory and jealousy thing with him, but I can meet with other dog walkers in the park and sit on a seat stroking their dogs and its OK !
 
Only just caught up with your thread Snuffles. Very best of luck. An older dog sounds best for your present dog. I am in Gordon Country too, we have a breeder near.
Although you will get very attached, more than I thought possible with an older dog who has been elsewhere for the majority of its life, I think you will be fine and it's a great thing to do.
My problem with dear Finley was that he went too soon and I wanted to give him happiness for longer because he had not been in a good home. It has taken me a long time to get over his passing.
I am back to a puppy now but she was coming even if Finley had still been here.
 
She's Here ! Im in love with her already though Im trying to keep a hard head. Been here 2 and a half hours and three massive poo's already ! (dog not me I hasten to add :D) Old dog not too impressed, he's keeping himself aloof, but he did that with the other dog, and whenever he goes to doggy day care he removes himself from the other dogs. He's not stressed out though, tail is up and he's lying on the armchair as usual. He is growling if she gets too close. she's just settled after being really hyper, and we've been out for a lead walk. Old dog will be the fly in the ointment I think. The setter is used to being the centre of her owners attention, and this might be the problem as mine is also used to being centre of attention. I think it would be better if there were two people in the house and they could share. Got her for the day so Ive an opportunity to check everything out.
 
Well done, don't be too pessimistic, your dog may well come round. I have a new pup here. My older dogs are usually social but are not that keen on the change to the status quo.
I also live alone, the pup is full on but I am trying hard to be fair to the other two and give them attention.
I hope it works for you. It may take longer than just a day visit.
 
Well she is deaf ! Owner said she was losing her hearing, but I think she is totally deaf. Doesn't respond to her name, or loud whistle or me banging on a window behind her ! I knew she had had her knee ligaments done about 4 years ago, and she is a bit weak on her back legs. She drinks for England too, dont know whether this is because she has been quite active today or its a permanent thing. After finding out the hard way about the Clumbers problems I will interrogate the owner !
On the plus side, she is being good indoors, is nice to walk, has met a few other dogs and is quiet with them, doesn't want to bounce all over the old one although she would like to be friends (he doesn't do friends) had a short ride in the car and was fine. I will have to make my mind up this evening when her owner collects her. Just got to decide if I can cope with the
heartache again . 10 years since my last Gordon and Im still besotted with them !
 
She doesn't sound super healthy. The excessive drinking would worry me, has she had full vet work up very recently? And deaf is a PITA if they are new to you and the walk routes. Good luck, whatever you decide.
 
Oh dear Snuffles that's not so good. They drink excessively on steroids, is she on any medication.
The lovely obese Goldie I took on had many more troubles than just his weight. He was only with me 8 months , I loved him to bits and it broke my heart.
Be careful! xx

Just to say I don't regret giving him 8 months of care and devotion. He deserved it.
 
She sounds lovely - although the excessive drinking should probably be investigated. I guess with an older, large breed dog you can't expect a sprightly young thing but would the current owner be happy with your own vet giving her an MOT before making your mind up?
 
Not sure I'd take her if she's deaf :( Our old lad is, but he's used to hand signals and only goes to known places, so it's not an issue. A dog who doesn't know the signals might be a real pain, especially if you have to keep her on the lead.

The excessive water consumption is a real worry: you sound like you're setting yourself up for more heartbreak after the clumber.
 
Gosh, she sounds like a sweet old dear. Excessive drinking could be down to a number of things (kidney/liver disease, cushings). Asking for vet MOT sounds like a sensible idea. If the owner has offered to pay for costs, as long as you are prepared to deal with her care & the emotional side of things, then go for it.
 
If you do decide the Gordon is not for you, then I don't suppose you might consider a very well trained, spayed, sociable (with people and other dogs) female German shepherd? If so, PM me and I will give you more details.
 
She is coming to me! I have seen her latest vet report and am aware of her problems. I know I am setting myself up for heartbreak but she is so lovely and in every other way I think she will fit in with me and my life, even if for a short period. Unlike the Clumber I am expecting not to have her for long and think that the pleasure I will get from her and the fact that she will have a nice quiet retirement will be a bonus. (When I am sobbing over the internet in a few months time, remind me of this please !)
I have a photo but as I don't do photobucket anymore don't know how to post it. I can get it on the album on here( only just found out how to do this ) but don't know how to transfer it to a post ?

ETA, well I thought I did but the photo I transferred yesterday of another dog has disappeared
 
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Yeahy! Wonderful you for giving her security in her twilight years. I bet her owner is delighted :-)

P.S i *think* with Photobucket you copy the link which says "IMG" into your post.
 
shorts, you have to pay to use photobucket now I think and this is the only time I would probably use it ! Im too mean
 
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