CockersOnline Forum

Cocker Specific Discussion => General Cocker Spaniel Discussion => Topic started by: Lucy and Denzel on October 25, 2020, 10:58:11 AM

Title: Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Post by: Lucy and Denzel on October 25, 2020, 10:58:11 AM
Hi everyone, I hope you don’t mind me posting again over 13 years since my first and last post.
What a wonderful time we’ve had as a Cocker Spaniel / human family in that short time with our two cockers Lucy and Denzil.
Or daughter grew up and got married, then Denzil broke our hearts when at the ripe age of 14 he said goodbye, our first grandson was born and became a replacement playmate to Lucy who taught him how to walk on all four legs and they even shared their food together!  :005:
Then a year ago literally out of the blue my wife and I were both offered jobs near the south coast in a beautiful part of the country, an opportunity too good to pass up. We let our home to our daughter and her family and found a house to rent but then as Lucy was ready to join us she became quite ill and once again we had to make the hardest decision and once again our hearts broke as we said goodbye.
We’ve been without our best friend beautiful Lucy for almost a year now and 3 years since we said goodbye to Denzil who rescued us when he met met him on this site all that time ago.
My wife Chris and I have had a very tough time getting over losing Lucy especially as we live surrounded by fields and long country walks and just 5 miles away from dog friendly beaches. Three of my new colleagues have got new puppies since last Christmas which has not helped.
Then a fortnight ago my wife called me at work and said she had a message from our landlord... Fearing the worst I couldn’t think what we’d done wrong and why he would call but then Chris said “Great news, we can have a dog!”
I had no idea she had even asked, but to be honest I’m still torn.
We often take a nice walk with the South Downs on our doorstep or first thing on a Sunday morning along the Sussex Coast and we always say how lovely it would be if we had a four legged friend to share it with.
One problem...
Wife and I are both part time with a mix of shifts, I walk home (10 mins) every lunch hour so any dog will be left alone just over 4hrs but for only 2 days per week or occasionally 3. It may only be 10mins over the four hours but rehoming charities like SpanielAid are very strict and rightfully so.
We never left our dogs alone for more than 3 hours before but I worked lates and Chris worked the early so I don’t have any problem with that rule and it’s one of the reasons a puppy is not suitable.

Should we wait until we’ve more time to give or do you think our working hours are not suitable?
Title: Re: Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Post by: Lucy and Denzel on October 25, 2020, 11:06:35 AM
Goodness me I’m sorry for such a looooong post, I got carried away.
To make up for it here’s our old friends

This is Denzil who we met on here

(https://i.postimg.cc/SR67v8JZ/15659-AB6-D0-AA-4-B6-D-9080-0-C2307-FB052-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/p5dF9mQ8)

Here’s the last pic of Lucy I took just before we moved

(https://i.postimg.cc/0jP9F16x/FCA5346-B-C460-40-E1-8546-4-FB594-C4-D3-A3.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

Lucy with her new buddy Elijah waiting for lunch

(https://i.postimg.cc/hvW1sMPz/FEFBE6-E0-0-F0-F-4-E42-9721-F370-DE3-C8101.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LYDP6tP2)


Title: Re: Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Post by: Mudmagnets on October 25, 2020, 11:59:17 AM
Hello and welcome back to COL.

Your arrangements sound ok to me and I think a lot of dogs would be well happy.  Don't know the rules of rescues, but I think some can be more stringent than others, but it's always worth a try, as for should we/not, that would have to be your decision, but a nice walkies and stop off for a pint...or two of a Sunday morning, sounds inviting doesn't it?.  ;)
Title: Re: Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Post by: Jaysmumagain on October 25, 2020, 12:32:41 PM
It is so lovely to here from you but I can feel for your loss of your beautiful two cockers, they firmly take a hold of our lives and give us so much.  If I was in a place to home a rescue cocker I am sure I would think you were very special folks who clearly put there dogs first.

You come to look to re home at a very difficult time with the state of things. Yet as to answer the question about time it is true that charities can be strong with there rules...but when I rescued Ollie I too was in your situation....my boss was wonderful( a dog lover) and I went in 30 mins early on my  3 working days to be able to get a mid morning break - hubby covered lunch on these days and I was home after 4pm plus my MIL popped in too.  The rescue felt were were responsible etc...so it certainly is worth looking into.
Take a look at http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/rescue.htm and local contacts too.

Good luck
Title: Re: Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Post by: MIN on October 25, 2020, 12:54:21 PM
We have had dogs all our working life. We both held down full time jobs, all which also had travelling time added. None of the pups/dogs have suffered in anyway and grew to be well natured, trustworthy housemates. Dogs get into a routine and they have no clock watching skills. We are both retired now and Gemma loves having us home  but she has no problem being left for  most of the day if necessary.
Title: Re: Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Post by: bizzylizzy on October 25, 2020, 05:38:43 PM
I‘d say, go for it! The time alone at home is always a question of balance - quality and not necessarily quantity, you‘re obviously going to be offering a dog lots of lovely walks and the security and love it needs. There are dogs whose owners are home 24/7 but are lonely, bored and under stimulated, I‘m sure they‘d happily be alone for a few hours if it meant they could enjoy themselves for the rest of the time!
Title: Re: Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Post by: ejp on October 25, 2020, 07:23:24 PM
I would definitely go for it, you can adjust a bit to suit if you do go ahead.  As for rescue, I would speak to some of the smaller local rescues and discuss what they would need for you to 'qualify'.  Buying a puppy is a minefield and so many dogs need a home.  You might be surprised, if you approach them.  The bigger rescues are often less flexible.  We both work full time, but we are ok as OH works shifts and has some flexibility.  Daisy is fine being left for a few hours, she has a routine and is happy to settle with a treat at the usual times.  It was more important that we could provide a quiet calm home with no kids.  Have a go, you may just be the home a wee dog needs.
Title: Re: Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Post by: Lucy and Denzel on October 25, 2020, 07:56:55 PM
Thank you for the reply’s, I know I’m being a bit paranoid but I’d fitted a dog flap in our old house so they’d never have to get stressed if they needed to answer a call of nature or wanted to stretch their paws if left a while, I couldn’t fit one here.
I’ll take a look at The Cocker Spaniel Club, thanks for the tip. we have contacted two ads on preloved.co.uk for a couple of lady cockers who’s owners need to Rehome but I don’t like the look of that site, it’s heartbreaking to see so many puppy ads it’s unfortunately an big £$€ industry nowadays!
I also would love a Cairn Terrier, I grew up around Cairns, we had 3 in total and they’re lovely but its odd I’ve not seen any needing homes for an age, they’ve clearly fallen out of fashion and greedy breeders can’t make as much cash.
Incidentally why have the ads for rehoming dried up here? I don’t think there’s been any new posts since Covid.
Title: Re: Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Post by: ejp on October 25, 2020, 08:19:41 PM
A lot of rescues weren't rehoming during COVID because of the rules which made home checking difficult.  They do seem to be opening back up again, but as each area now have different rules,  I have really lost the plot!  Pre loved is mostly puppy farmers or scammers, so best to avoid, in my opinion.
Title: Re: Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Post by: Lucy and Denzel on November 16, 2020, 05:59:21 PM
Well we were hopefully in the right place at the right time and we’ve found a lad who’s looking for a new home.
I’ve posted a few pics on the Introductions thread of Harley our new addition. He’s a 4 year old as we didn’t want to go down the puppy route, he’s grown up with children and great with other dogs we’ve met out and about. Fingers crossed we all settle in together.
Title: Re: Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Post by: bizzylizzy on November 16, 2020, 07:12:58 PM
Congratulations!! Sounds as if you’ve made a good decision, just seen the photos, he looks wonderful!
Best of luck, I wish you many happy years together, don‘t forget to keep us updated!!  :D
Title: Re: Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Post by: Mudmagnets on November 16, 2020, 09:43:51 PM
Great news, really pleased for you, wishing you many happy years together  :luv: Great piccies  :D
Title: Re: Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Post by: theshrew on November 17, 2020, 12:59:06 AM
Nicely  :luv:

Im sure you will have a great time together - enjoy
Title: Re: Should we? Shouldn’t we?
Post by: ejp on November 17, 2020, 07:56:52 PM
Brilliant, off for a nosey!