The end of an era

[Pathca]

I’m only repeating what I have heard,that the criteria is making it hard for a lot of people to adopt

[Veem]

Steve, we now only have one dog and he's a little smoothie teckel.

He had a bad start in life, sold by a puppy farmer for 400€ at 6 months, outside a supermarket (alongside other pups of a very similar age - which ought to tell you something). Bought by a gullible Brit who soon discovered that neither of the two she bought was house trained and within 2 weeks they were up for rehoming.

So Frodo came to us, timid and unsocialised. He's now 10, going on 2 and a real character who makes us laugh every day.

Dachsies are great little dogs who don't know they're small. I hope you have great fun with your two.

[L Austin France]

There are issues in the UK with adopting pets from rescues,people are having to meet a lot of criteria to even be considered,therefore an awful lot are rescuing now from Europe

Interesting you should have said that as we have just received a phone call from the SPA where we found our 10/12? year old abandoned boy Bob last December asking if it's OK if they call on Monday next to 'see how he's getting on'.
Strange really as they didn't really ask too many questions when we first adopted him but no worries here.
Bob was very ill a few weeks after coming to live with us & given a very bad prognosis when it was discovered thay he had a tumour on his liver. Ten months on he's bouncing around like a young'un & become a big part of our animal family.
Dunno how long he'll last but whatever the outcome he'll have spent his dotage in absolute & well deserved doggy luxury.
We'd adopt another 'old codger' like a shot when he finally goes to doggy heaven as at our time of life it's not fair to take on a young animal especially when there are thousands of older mutts out there looking for good home.
In

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[Sparkle]

aaaahhhhh Bob what a sweetie he is.

[Spardo]

[mention]L Austin France[/mention]

We'd adopt another 'old codger' like a shot when he finally goes to doggy heaven as at our time of life it's not fair to take on a young animal especially when there are thousands of older mutts out there looking for good home.

Absolutely right, too many young dogs left alone and even abandoned outliving elderly owners. We have always gone for older dogs anyway, they leave sooner it is true, but so many happy memories. Our current foster Noubia has joined Jules (panier retraite which means here forever but vet bills paid ) in this elderly household. She is supposed to be 9, but is so active and lively I think the estimate is wrong. Her teeth are not in good nick and perhaps that fooled the Spanish vet.

BTW a handsome chap, Bob.

Some SPAs (they are not all the same) are very hands on with adoptions. When we came here to live in '99 we went straight to Perigueux to adopt a dog, thinking we were doing them a favour and they would jump at the chance. Not a bit of it, the man sat us down and asked a load of questions. Principally 'have you got a job?' 'No', 'have you got a fence?' 'No'. 'Come back when you have both'.

[Liz]

We are adopting an older at the end of the month, will post pics.
We had Gershwin as a guide dog puppy and his working life is coming to an end so he's coming home. It's going to be an emotional handover from his master, but his next guide dog is waiting in the wings, they have already been matched up.
They start their supervised training week the day after I collect Gershwin.

[Veem]

Did you ever meet Gershwin's owner before Liz?

I don't doubt how emotional the reunion will be. His owner will know of your past life with Gershwin and will be pleased he's coming back to you, but at the same time, he's bound to be very sad at losing his long term friend. I wonder if Gershwin will actually remember you. Knowing what amazing memories animals have, it wouldn't surprise me.

Oh yes, please. Loads of photos.

[Liz]

Yes we met on handover at Gershwin's passing to be a guide dog, and we chat on the phone at New Year, Easter and generally for news
I'll dig out some old photos and start a new thread.

[Blaze]

It's kind to take an older dog, they're harder to find homes for than the youngsters. We'll certainly be doing the same at some point ...

[basquesteve]

I am very sorry I have caused confusion I purchased my puppies from a breeder I did not adopted them, it was to difficult ( my income, my age where we lived, frequent visits, fences, cats, other dogs, children, sterilisation ) we gave up