I need help!! Do I or don't I??

[tuggyboy]

I've just been to see 2 show cockers in rescue.  The write up was that they were brothers 5+.
One is 6 years old and the other is 9 years old.  And, they need to be rehomed together which isn't a problem.

My problem is, I lost my old bull terrier 8 weeks ago and I really don't want to
loose another dog within a few years.  Maybe that's just answered my question?? Or am I being
selfish?? 

I've a 24 hour hold on them so need to make my mind up fairly quickly.
They are both lovely, but don't seem to be trained, don't listen and don't seem to
know there names (It didn't help that we weren't told who was who right enough) and they're really smelly
but I suppose thats just the kennels?? They've both just been neutered................felt for the 9 year old as he's been given
an horrendous haircut which bares all and both are walking like cowboys!!
My heart is ruling my head just know as I feel so sorry for them  but I do have a hubby who is more realistic than me.
Would I be taking on too much?? Can you train an old dog new tricks??  As these 2 seem to have no idea?? But they are lovely.
Thanks.
Kim

[tuggyboy]

Should have added, when I walked them, I'm sure the 9 year old sounded like he had
kennel cough?  Now, I lost my old boy with chronic bronchitis and at first I thought he had
kennel cough but was told by the vet that older dogs build an immunity to it so that wasn't the case.
So, could this 9 year old have something else?? Also, forgot to add that the 6 year old has cystitis.
Any thoughts?

Thanks
Kim

[sarahbe]

Surely they shouldn't be rehomed if they are poorly?

[fifer]

Take them straight to your own vet if you do take them - just to be sure the one that's coughing doesn't have something like a heart murmur, or worse.  Anyway it's good practice to always have an independent check done on any dog you propose adopting.

Unfortunately there are some rescues who have rehomed dogs that did have undisclosed or unidentified medical problems.

[Ninasmum]

Whenever i have a big decision to make, i usually 'sleep on it' & hope to goodness my head is clearer in the morning. 

Don't worry because they are a bit smelly....a couple of baths at your home would get them smelling nice. 

The only other advice i would give is you do need to be sure about your decision & committed to giving these 2 a forever home, if you do adopt them. 

[tuggyboy]

Thanks for the advice so far. 

And yes, it's not a decision to be taken lightly.  I'm just concerned about the old man at 9??
Had they both been 4 or 5 I'd have snapped them up.
This is such a nightmare 
I do have a soft spot for them but have to be realistic.

Kim

[bluegirl]

I think you are answering your own questions.

The thing you fear most is going through the grieving process again so quickly after losing your last. The 9 yr old dog may well live another 7 yrs but in reality the average life span for a cocker is more like 12- 13yrs that said you have absolutely no guarantees where life is concerned no matter if they were both much younger dogs.

As others have said sleep on it and see how you feel in the morning.

[Ian B]

In February this year we re-homed a pair of cockers from the RSPCA, Jarvis is 10 and Dale is 8.
We took the view that all things eventually die and dogs are shorter lived than we are, but we considered the grief of loosing them after just a few years to be far outweighed by the happiness and comfort we can give them as they journey through their remaining years with us.
We know that their joy of life and contentment will be reflected in us and that will stay with us after they have gone. We will grieve when they leave us but that is only proper and respectful of their lives and our comfort will be knowing that Jarvis and Dale will have someone to mourn their leaving.

On the lighter side both the boys have been going to training classes which have been mildly successful and they have settled in really well. As they were a bonded pair we expected them to be quite needy of each others company and they were to begin with, but as soon as they realised this was their new home that eased and now they are almost as mercenary as our other two dogs.

[Ninasmum]

In February this year we re-homed a pair of cockers from the RSPCA, Jarvis is 10 and Dale is 8.
We took the view that all things eventually die and dogs are shorter lived than we are, but we considered the grief of loosing them after just a few years to be far outweighed by the happiness and comfort we can give them as they journey through their remaining years with us.
We know that their joy of life and contentment will be reflected in us and that will stay with us after they have gone. We will grieve when they leave us but that is only proper and respectful of their lives and our comfort will be knowing that Jarvis and Dale will have someone to mourn their leaving.

On the lighter side both the boys have been going to training classes which have been mildly successful and they have settled in really well. As they were a bonded pair we expected them to be quite needy of each others company and they were to begin with, but as soon as they realised this was their new home that eased and now they are almost as mercenary as our other two dogs.

Thats such a lovely post & so very apt. 

[spanielcrazy]

I can't say it any better than Ian B 

The nine year old could potentially live another 5 years or more, and 6 is still young to me.

Smelly and a bad haircut can be sorted 

If it's a reputable rescue, surely they have looked into the cough and are treating the cystitis? (which can be caused by stress, BTW)

And yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks, just takes a little more patience and letting go of any assumptions of what they can and can't do 

I took in a deaf, blind female with heart problems at age 12 who was totally untrained and she has adjusted beautifully. She is now 14 and every day with her is a gift and a joy! 

Good luck with your decision 

[mooching]

A practical consideration: do you have the funds to cover all the possible medical expenses of both boys?

Were you originally looking to adopt two cockers, or did you see these two advertised and kind of get carried along?

[tuggyboy]

We've thought about getting a cocker pup, then perhaps a brood bitch further down the line so 2 have always been on the cards. 

Vet bills........thankfully I have a reasonable vet, not many around I know but that is something to take into consideration I suppose.

I'm a terrible decision maker and normally go with the 'if in doubt' don't do it.   

Thanks to everyone who has replied, its appreciated, now i'm off to sleep on it!

Kim

[mooching]

We lost our 10yo Cavi boy last month to heart disease; he'd had mitral valve insufficiency for 2 yrs, it had got much worse in January, and he died in my arms last month from a heart attack.

We're looking for a new dog, both because we miss Flinty so much and because we miss having a dog so much. But we have already decided we want to have the best possible chance of enjoying as many quality years as possible with our new dog, and are therefore only entertaining the thought of a puppy or dog up to 3 yrs old.

Some may consider that selfish, because we're denying older rescue dogs the chance to be with us, but that's what we've decided, for us and for our children. We've been through so much grief and agony recently, we just want a chance to have some real lively fun with our new little boy, whenever he comes our way!

I just want to encourage you to make the decision that is right for you and your husband - whether it's to take on these 2 or not. That may or may not be the same decision that another would make.  But I would say that I'd recommend that whatever decision you make is one that you *both* agree on.

[minimoo]

what a nice post  Ian B  , i dont think 9 is that old, will the rescue get a vet to look at his cough before you take him , i would have thought hed be treated for it , also they would def check if its kennel cough BEFORE they let him go, i think if they treat the cough you should give them a chance but thats just my opinion , there are no guarentees, even if you got a pup as im sure you know from this site

[Hurtwood Dogs]

I don't think 9rys is old either, but as others have said you have to do what's right for you and your family. I rescued a dog that was 2.5 and I'd have taken one up until 5 yrs but I have young kids and we're a very active family so there was also a practical reason for that. At this phase of life I wouldn't choose an older dog for those reasons but when the kids have grown up I'd certainly consider it - but it would depend what I wanted to do with the dog at that point and if I'm still very active and want to do lots of 'stuff' with it (agility, gundog classes etc)..  But you can train older dogs - so don't let that put you off

Good luck with whatever you decide!