Confession! I haven't been able to get Sparky out of my head since I saw this link, so I phoned up about him yesterday. After a LOT of conversations last night, I've persuaded/nagged/badgered the OH until he agreed to visit him and we're hoping to go and see him tomorrow!
I told the lady at NAWT about our two cockers and we'll take them along to meet him. It may be that they're just too lively for him, so we'll just have to see but I'd love to give him a happy home for his last years.

I'll keep you posted.