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I'm going to adopt a dog and I keep coming accross this one beautiful Ridgeback called Lexie...the only trouble is she's nine years old.
I'm not going to get a puppy but i'm a bit worried that nine is gtting on a bit and i'd be setting myself up for a future of vet bills, not to mention not much time with her.
Advice? Do you think it's too old? I feel so bad for her too...sitting there with no one wanting her because she's so old...
I don't think that's too old at all... Sounds like she still has alot of love to give and just needs someone to love her back.
I would do it - I wouldn't care that she is 9... My cat is 16 and still going strong. Adopt her!
I would. If I went to meet her and felt a connection, then absolutely.
Yes totally would we took in a stray purebred badly neglected retriever we did only have him for 3 years but wow what a dog! So much love to give and he needed love too took some of our heart when he went but totally worth it!
Yep i would totally adopt a dog that was that age. Most dogs depending on their health can live past 20 and she would still have so much love to give.
Yep definitely. I would always adopt an older dog as I know how hard it is for them to find homes. If she seems like a good dog then I would do it.
My only concern in adopting an older dog is not knowing their history and therefore previous influences on the dogs behaviour. Do you know Lexie's history? Your kids are a bit older and so probably a good age to adopt an older dog. I wouldn't be concerned about the vet bills, but I would want to be comfortable that the dog has not been mistreated in the past and doesn't exhibit aggressive behaviours.
If she's got no known health issues you can get pet insurance for the dog. You'd be giving her a happy ending, and she'd be giving you some unconditional love :)
hmmm, this is all very positive, I might call up today and see if I can meet her. There is also a two year old boxer called dexter i'm looking at....so adorable.
I guess thr right dog will just feel right won't it?
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we just adopted an 8 year old mini roman nose terrier and she is lovely, she just lays around, doesn't bark, although we have had a lot of health issues and is off to the vet again today for conjunctivitis, yes there are going to be more trips to the vet but nothing beats a golden oldie :)
Definitely. See how you feel when u meet her. You will know I think
I personally wouldnt as the life span of a ridgeback is usually 10-12 years.
I would only if you got that pet insurance.
I agree with MM and would check the life expectancy of that breed. I have cattle dogs and they are 10, 11 and 14, they have always been strong and healthy and can live upto they are 15 - 20 but these last 3 years has cost us $1000's in vet bills (probably clost to $5000 but I don't like to think about it too much) and one of them is about to cost another $1000 with ongoing costs for tablets she will need to take for the rest of her life. If they come into any more health problems we are going to have to consider the unthinkable cause we can't afford to keep forking out all this money :(
I would spend as much time with a new dog as possible, especially as you have kids and don't get your heart set on any until you know they are suitable for your family. For your situation I wouldn't recommend a dog that seems timid, anxious, sensitive or really intense (e.g. if they are really protective of a ball). Make sure you check the dog out to see if they are sensitive around different parts of the body (e.g. that they won't bite if their tail gets picked up by a kid, or hate their paws being touched). Ideally I would choose a dog that shows relaxed, calm behaviour in lots of different situations (other dogs, cats, walking on a lead, playing with kids, around food etc.) as I believe that lowers your risk of issues like biting. Another thing to point out which you probably know is that it is really hard to get rentals with dogs now. There are other non-permanent ways of having pets in your life like fostering a pet if you think you may have to move a lot in the future. Good luck! xoxo:
I guess thr right dog will just feel right won't it?
Yes I would, I have a girlfriend who is involved in animal rehousing for x-working dogs and if I had the space, I'd take one of her dogs in a heartbeat.
I would most definitely adopt a 9 year old dog.
I wouldn't be too worried about her behavior as they are tested before being put up for adoption now days.
Don't let her age bother you, depending on her diet & general health she could give you 2 to 5 years of unconditional (most probably sleepy) love... but the best thing of all is what you are giving her. A second chance. Which is a wonderful thing. One you will both feel the benefits of.
In regards to possible vet bills, wether you have a puppy or a golden oldie that is always a risk and part of the responsibility. But who cares about money when you get paid back with sloppy kisses lol.
Good Luck :)
Where would you be adopting from? Because most places as well as temperament testing heart a full health check and tell you if there are any health concerns inc ones associated with the breed.
And yes i would definitely do it if she felt right, age doesn't effect the love they have to give.
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And do you think it's fair to the kids to adopt a pet that might only be around for 2-5 years?
I'm torn...I miss having a dog so much, I feel it would be healing for me and the animal. Since moving here last week i've walked the kids too and from school most days and I go to the beach most days...a dog would fit in so perfectly...
I adopted a dog who was almost 7 over 6 years ago, so he is now about 13. He is a very young dog and you wouldn't know he was that old :D
If they didn't have any major health issues I would be happy to adopt an older dog again! Good luck with deciding.
Yes. If we were in a place where we could have a dog. If I knew the breed and knew they were safe. If we could afford the extra expenses that come with the dog. And we would 100% get pet insurance.
While this is true, temperament testing isn't 100% and even if a dog is suitable for rehoming, it doesn't mean that it is suitable for every family and home.:
I wouldn't be too worried about her behavior as they are tested before being put up for adoption now days.
On a personal note I brought home a 5 yr old large breed. He is now 12 and noone believes his age. I have the microchip data to prove it but he is so healthy and active that I am pretty sure he will be around a while longer. DS understands he won't be around forever as we have spoken about it. We will all be devastated when it happens but I think as dogs never live as long as us that it is inevitable at some point.
I think if you explain to your kids that she is a bit older, they will understand.
We have a 2 year old that was very close to death a few months back, thankfully my vet worked her magic and healed him. We have spent an absolute fortune on vet bills for my 2 dogs since we got them 2-3 years ago - and they are both purebred with papers!!
If the dog is 9 years or 9 months, you really can't predict their lifespan or their health.... Vet bills and all, I wouldn't trade them for anything, they really are my children and there is nothing better than coming home to 2 wagging tales.
If she is right for you, you will know when you meet her.
Just a note on the vet bills. It may be worth researching types of conditions the breed has tendencies towards. Then find out what pet insurance does and does not cover. I'm not saying you would do this, but it distresses me when people take on the responsibility of an animal but then cant pay the vet bills and either dump the dog or have them put down when they're not at the end of life.
Some people are willing to spend 1000s on their animals. Some people simply cant afford to. So I think it's essential to do a budget and decide before adopting a dog, if it's for life. Which is why I bang on about pet insurance. You cant control for everything, but you can at least have an idea what you're prepared to pay. Especially if things may already be tight financially.
Apart from that, I believe a dog is a gift that gives us more than we can ever give back.
no different to a rabbit or guinee pig? sorry, just putting that perspective out there.:
And do you think it's fair to the kids to adopt a pet that might only be around for 2-5 years?
I would adopt a 9 year old ridgeback over a 2 year old boxer. My cousin has a 2 year old boxer... and lets just say she's an extremely energetic dog ^^;
I spoke to the ridgeback lady just now and she said that ridgeback's have a life expectancy of 10-12 years and Lexie is 9 and a half :( but she has a6yr old male called Bruce so i'm going to look at him on the weekend.
He's currently in foster care and was surrendered because his owners moved into a unit.
He gets on with kids apparently but i'm going to take them with me. She's emailing me pics now...
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Agree with this completely, especially if you explain to the kids right from the start that its an older dog, won't be with you for as long etc but isn't it lovely that the dog is having a lovely "last" home. My kids at 3 and 4 already have a very good understanding of death (age appropriate I think). Its a part of life and I don't believe in hiding it.:
Agree 1000% with the comment about boxers too. I've had two boxers and while they are adorable, beautiful, happy dogs they never grow up and are exuberant for the majority of their lives. They are also one of the breeds that has the highest rates of cancer - I lost my gorgeous girl when she was only 4 and that was after I had done a lot of research into blood lines, the more susceptible colours etc.
I think its really great you're taking your kids - they need to be happy with him and him with them. I hope Bruce will be a good addition to your family.
Our cat died when he was 3 so getting a young animal is no guarantee that it will live to it's life expectancy. Also a life expectancy is an average - it doesn't mean that your dog will clock out at 10 years old. Humans have a life expectancy of 70ish but lots of people live well beyond that.
Good luck finding the right dog.
I would adopt an older dog, if I was older myself. We're a month away from bringing home a new fur baby but we're going for a puppy so it will grow up with the children. I am friends with a couple of shelters on facebook, and look at pet rescue once a week. I feel so sorry for the older dogs, but know it wouldn't be right for us.. yet.
Did you get a dog, C~Q?
I'm still waiting...thr landlords son is looking after the place and he initially said yes then a few days later he said he had to check with his parent s who are traveling...this was last week and i'm still waiting to hear back.
Bruce is ready to go and i'm crossing my fingers...
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Good luck :)
I would, but partly because our dog is 10 and I wouldn't want him to have to put up with a bouncy annoying young friend! Plus, I know how hard it is for older dogs to find homes. At least you'll have a very clear idea of temperament.
GL with either Lexie or Bruce.
Thank you x:
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