We have no real idea how old Tinsel is. He has developed gray patches under his eyes that have gotten larger over the past 9 months. Is he 3 - 4 or is he 9-10??? All I know is that I wouldn't trade any time we have with him for a young and energetic puppy even though I love puppies and enjoy guiding them through life. To see the joy in his eyes every day, feel the soft lick of his tongue and watch that little tail wag is all the more fulfilling because it is his gift to us for giving him a chance. I had a new friend over today that has a 7 year old sheltie rescue and a 12 year old sheltie?/aussie cross. The older dog is a "forever foster" and she adores him. She has told me that she would like to adopt another senior when the time comes as her old guy is such a pleasure to live with and how rewarding it is to give him a peaceful, safe and loved life in his final years.
rescue thoughts
- Thread starter Internette
- Start date
Sheltiemama
Forums Enthusiast
Puppies are an enormous amount of work. If you go thru a rescue to get your new dog, you can find out all kinds of information about how she acts/reacts, etc.
I'm too old to go through dealing with a puppy again.
I'm too old to go through dealing with a puppy again.
We have no real idea how old Tinsel is. He has developed gray patches under his eyes that have gotten larger over the past 9 months. Is he 3 - 4 or is he 9-10??? All I know is that I wouldn't trade any time we have with him for a young and energetic puppy even though I love puppies and enjoy guiding them through life. To see the joy in his eyes every day, feel the soft lick of his tongue and watch that little tail wag is all the more fulfilling because it is his gift to us for giving him a chance. I had a new friend over today that has a 7 year old sheltie rescue and a 12 year old sheltie?/aussie cross. The older dog is a "forever foster" and she adores him. She has told me that she would like to adopt another senior when the time comes as her old guy is such a pleasure to live with and how rewarding it is to give him a peaceful, safe and loved life in his final years.
Couldn't agree with you more, I have no idea how old Beau is but, I have noticed lately, he's getting more grey around his mouth, in my opinion, it makes him look more distinguished. but, he still has a lot of puppy energy. so, I would say, go with the older dog, because they can give you just as much love as a puppy and in my mind,"There's no such thing as a used dog"
Couldn't agree with you more, I have no idea how old Beau is but, I have noticed lately, he's getting more grey around his mouth, in my opinion, it makes him look more distinguished. but, he still has a lot of puppy energy. so, I would say, go with the older dog, because they can give you just as much love as a puppy and in my mind,"There's no such thing as a used dog"
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
The only thing I would add is cost. And I say that, only because Miko's health bills are racking up. Everytime something is "weird", it's blood and urine tests, and trust me, weird things come up all the time.
I figure if you're retired, you're probably on a fixed income, so I wanted to make sure you thought about this part and how it'll affect you in that area.
I love how the cats go for a nap with your SO. Very cute.
I figure if you're retired, you're probably on a fixed income, so I wanted to make sure you thought about this part and how it'll affect you in that area.
I love how the cats go for a nap with your SO. Very cute.
If you work with a good rescue, they will be able to tell you about any 'quirks' that they dog may have. In my experience, most sr's are much calmer then younger dogs and don't seem to look for trouble as much !
So work with a rescue, find a dog that has health issues / behavoir issues that you think you can deal with (which may be minimal, or none at all), and go from there. I find these dogs are just so grateful to have a soft warm place to sleep with a full belly.
My one rescue was a real handful when I got him - someone was not very kind to him and he trusted no one and was very skittish. Now that he is older and has known nothing but kindness for the past few years, he is a very different dog. Very loving and oh so grateful for a kind word and a belly rub. He has settled down so much and is in a good place now.
Anyway point is that a lot of the sr pups out there are over the silly young dog / puppy stuff and make wonderful, wonderful companions.
So work with a rescue, find a dog that has health issues / behavoir issues that you think you can deal with (which may be minimal, or none at all), and go from there. I find these dogs are just so grateful to have a soft warm place to sleep with a full belly.
My one rescue was a real handful when I got him - someone was not very kind to him and he trusted no one and was very skittish. Now that he is older and has known nothing but kindness for the past few years, he is a very different dog. Very loving and oh so grateful for a kind word and a belly rub. He has settled down so much and is in a good place now.
Anyway point is that a lot of the sr pups out there are over the silly young dog / puppy stuff and make wonderful, wonderful companions.
Internette
Forums Enthusiast
I have a rescue cat and let me tell you the expense and problems were ongoing and expensive but I hung in there and he is normal to us. We let him be him and do things the way he has to do them to feel comfortable. He has a teepee he hides in when he feels the need to be alone, when someone rings the bell we know he wont be found, he is "hiding" under the bed usually, No one really ever gets to see him because he is afraid of strangers. He is fine with us, he loves to sit against my hip in the sofa and have me put my arm around him. He likes to nap under the covers and I always have throws and blankets all over house so he can hide. I have my dollies and tablecloth basket on a low shelf cause he is older and doesnt jump so high anymore but he loves to nap in that basket. he sits on the closed toilet seat when I take a bath and likes me to talk to him about the day. I know he wouldnt survive really at a pound or most places with noise, He loves us , he loves his home, he is just quirky and well his scars and bad memories sadly made him this way but we love him and that is all that matters. I did say I wouldnt do this again and looking into the prospect leaves me shaking my head, I must be crazy nut job to enter this arena. The rescue aspect was a major hassle, not fun, more expensive then a breeder and honestly when I bought my female from a breeder, it was friendly , easy and I got the charming little princess that I adore and melts my heart. She wins handsdown as I cant say no to her on her getting her way. I looked at several breeders picked one, picked my girl and paid and went home, couldnt have been easier or less hassle and I was thrilled for our new addition.
Today I looked at a contract for a doggie from a rescue the next state over as the little girl fit the bill and the rules were a bit far fetched as it states if I neglect anything in the contract I would have to pay $1000 fine and attorney fees. Example if I moved they must be notified of my address and phone within 14 days, knowing the problems I had in this move and an unexpected hospital stay for my companion I easily could have missed that 14 days. Just the list of the items that must be secured on a collar at all times, would need one heck of a large collar and well you get the idea. I learned from a move done by the world most dishonest movers that since I signed I was responsible even when they filled in blanks after I signed and I fought and have no recourse. I dont like signing things that have ridiculous openings for problems. a $1000 fine for finding a tick on my dog, after all it says must be free of fleas , ticks, parasites. Of course I dont want that in my home or on my cats or the dog either but technically I could be fined, makes one nervous, now I remember why I was looking at puppies again from breeders. After reading the contract and the massive application and the number of references I would be at this process for some time and then they will decide who I get I cant choose, not sure how I feel about this. I know rescues do great jobs and I so would rather take a rescue, but I really think they make it much harder then it has to be. I read enough stories to know some stories on the forum I read would have been in violation of their contract and these stories are from experienced owners.
I know there is an expense and we have savings from the sale of our larger home so I think we understand the possible vet costs, though I have to say I never knew there were so many shelties going to the vets on such a regular basis, this was all new to be prior to coming to this board. I watch our expenses and save where I can and try to stay within a budget so we keep our savings and have money to do special things when we want.
I think if I find one at a pound I might find things easier. Thanks all for your advice. I am not giving up on an older dog.
Today I looked at a contract for a doggie from a rescue the next state over as the little girl fit the bill and the rules were a bit far fetched as it states if I neglect anything in the contract I would have to pay $1000 fine and attorney fees. Example if I moved they must be notified of my address and phone within 14 days, knowing the problems I had in this move and an unexpected hospital stay for my companion I easily could have missed that 14 days. Just the list of the items that must be secured on a collar at all times, would need one heck of a large collar and well you get the idea. I learned from a move done by the world most dishonest movers that since I signed I was responsible even when they filled in blanks after I signed and I fought and have no recourse. I dont like signing things that have ridiculous openings for problems. a $1000 fine for finding a tick on my dog, after all it says must be free of fleas , ticks, parasites. Of course I dont want that in my home or on my cats or the dog either but technically I could be fined, makes one nervous, now I remember why I was looking at puppies again from breeders. After reading the contract and the massive application and the number of references I would be at this process for some time and then they will decide who I get I cant choose, not sure how I feel about this. I know rescues do great jobs and I so would rather take a rescue, but I really think they make it much harder then it has to be. I read enough stories to know some stories on the forum I read would have been in violation of their contract and these stories are from experienced owners.
I know there is an expense and we have savings from the sale of our larger home so I think we understand the possible vet costs, though I have to say I never knew there were so many shelties going to the vets on such a regular basis, this was all new to be prior to coming to this board. I watch our expenses and save where I can and try to stay within a budget so we keep our savings and have money to do special things when we want.
I think if I find one at a pound I might find things easier. Thanks all for your advice. I am not giving up on an older dog.
Time flies by so quickly…. Don’t wait too long. Seniors are very special.
My heart dog (Muff Muff) came to me as a senior at ten(+) years old. I could not imagine her not being a part of my life, and she brightened my world for 6 more years and spoke right to my heart. Sadly, tomorrow, 9/27 will be two years without her. God called his little angel back home on 9/27/10. I still think of her everyday.
My heart dog (Muff Muff) came to me as a senior at ten(+) years old. I could not imagine her not being a part of my life, and she brightened my world for 6 more years and spoke right to my heart. Sadly, tomorrow, 9/27 will be two years without her. God called his little angel back home on 9/27/10. I still think of her everyday.
dawns2shelties
Forums Sage
As far as expenses, I have seen many rescues do Senior to Senior adoptions and cover the vet bills. You may want to look into that option.
As far as lifespan my Gypsy just passed away right after her 5th Birthday so we just never know how long we have.
I knew when getting Hartley he would be my last puppy since I am in my early 50's and let me tell you I am exhausted! He is full of energy. I knew the dogs in my future would definitely be older dogs that breeders retired from showing and breeding or Senior rescues. If I could talk Stan into one I would add one now. I am just waiting for the right one so I can bribe Stan into going for it
As far as lifespan my Gypsy just passed away right after her 5th Birthday so we just never know how long we have.
I knew when getting Hartley he would be my last puppy since I am in my early 50's and let me tell you I am exhausted! He is full of energy. I knew the dogs in my future would definitely be older dogs that breeders retired from showing and breeding or Senior rescues. If I could talk Stan into one I would add one now. I am just waiting for the right one so I can bribe Stan into going for it
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
Oh that is awesome. I didn't know that rescues do that. Good thing to ask about.
Tell Stan that getting another dog will give Hartley someone to play with and therefore, giving you more rest time.I knew when getting Hartley he would be my last puppy since I am in my early 50's and let me tell you I am exhausted! He is full of energy. I knew the dogs in my future would definitely be older dogs that breeders retired from showing and breeding or Senior rescues. If I could talk Stan into one I would add one now. I am just waiting for the right one so I can bribe Stan into going for it
