The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Pets & Working Animals => Dogs => Topic started by: devonlad on December 30, 2015, 02:43:03 am
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Hi all
hope Christmas was good for you- as post title suggests could do with some advice or ideas
on christmas eve morning, my parents border collie Shep. collapsed on his morning walk and subsequently very sadly died. He was not an old dog, barely 8, gave no indication of any problem ( he was put down at the vet having suffered a ruptured tumour in his chest- my poor old dad carried him 3 miles home following his collapse) and has left my parents understandably dazed and bereft.
My father in particular, was hugely reliant on the purpose Shep gave him each morning and for a man in his mid 80s he would pass for considerably younger. although the loss is recent and still sinking in for them, my father has already made it clear that another puppy is simply not an option, and sadly he;s probably right. however, where is the best place for a bullet proof, sheep proof, cat proof, etc etc older dog that can still add so much to their life but minus the stress of a dog with issues. my mother is in the early stages of alzheimers and would not cope well with anything other than an easy dog ( as shep was) we and most of our extended families have several dogs trust dogs between us and theyre invariably harder work than we could inflict on mum and dad. any where else ??
thanks as always in advance
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Really sorry to hear that, very sad.
Having rescued many dogs over the years and weighing up the cituation for your parents I would recoment Dogs Trust. I have Hearing Dogs for the Deaf down the road for me who are always looking for bed and breakfast socialisers and walkers which may have been an option but I'm guessing that there isn't one near you.
Dogs trust have behaviourists and trainers who would be able to give you your parents a very good insight into the suitability of the dogs on offer. Basically you could do with a quiet, settled, mature dog who could slot in where your parents dog left off. Dogs Trust have lots of "Sticky" dogs which struggle to find homes for different reasons. Sometimes its just because they are older or a bit ugly or because they dont come across well in a kennel environment. A sticky dog could be just what you are after.
I'm sure that if you popped along and had a chat with them they would understand your requirements and be willing to help. I think you may have to wait a little while for the right one but taking a few for a walk will help you to work out if you can cope with a puller, a yapper or a tantric sniffer. Its not easy making an old friend from a new one but Im sure that there is a good dog out there for your parents. ;D
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An ex racing greyhound through the RGT could be the answer. Easy care and quiet. Cat friendly ones are available and I would expect it to be on a lead around sheep anyway as all dogs should be at first. As they do not require huge amounts of exercise they can be good for the more elderly and if there is a person with dementia who will require more and more caring for this can turn into a big plus.
A relatives dementia is the reason I got greyhounds when I lost my german shepherd as I could not cope with a puppy, it is a decision I do not regret even though when my oldest current greyhound expires I will be looking for another GSD puppy.
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I think this is very sad but buttermilk could have the answer.
I once took in an ex racing greyhound as it was lost and rather than it go to the dog pound, fortunately, its owner turned up, but in the interim it was a lovely experience.
It was a big dog and I expected it to be lively and into everything but it was very gentle and quiet and liked nothing more than to settle in front of the fire
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That is very sad. I agree with Buttermilk and Bionic with the retired greyhound option. Your parents want a companion they can enjoy not a rescue with issues. They are coach potatoes but take up very little room but will enjoy the walks your father can provide.
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Another voice for greyhounds here :)
The cat proof ones are excellent and most greys are so gentle you can let a child walk them as they don't pull. They are perfectly happy with a potter round but do enjoy the odd blast :) I suggested a grey for my elderly grandparent who had iffy mobility but family ruled them too big on looks alone and so got her a small rescue from foreign climes who was admittedly lovely but totally not the right choice .. sadly she is now in a care home and the dog had to be rehomed..
If you are set on another collie, then there are loads of rescues specific for them who may have an older collie who ticks the boxes for you.
http://www.bordercollierescueuk.com/ (http://www.bordercollierescueuk.com/)
http://www.fostbc.org.uk// (http://www.fostbc.org.uk//) have a couple of oldies under assessment
http://www.valgraysbcrescue.org.uk/newdogs.htm (http://www.valgraysbcrescue.org.uk/newdogs.htm) Alfie here may be suitable?
http://www.thebordercolliespot.com/dogs-needing-homes (http://www.thebordercolliespot.com/dogs-needing-homes) couple of ex farm dogs here who are looking for active retirement :)
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Sorry to hear about their loss, i can't advise, but that is exactly what happened to our boy, I have a short video of him dancing about, excited at walkies, next morning collapsed. pts. Such a shock.
I lady walks past with a greyhound who seems very well behaved, gentle and quiet.
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As usual, thanks all. Some really great links and ideas. Already been googling. A welcome relief from OH snaffling me to refit our kitchen. Several others have mentioned how a retired greyhound would be a great fit. And my brother in law who has 2 is convinced. My parents have always had retrievers or collies and might take some convincing. They were so devoted to shep that another collie might be too painful so soon, but we'll have to see. I envisage several bouts of persuasion ahead. And it is imperative that if my siblings and I are successful in our planned mission that the result is a positive one. Thanks so much again
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could they borrow your BiL's for a weekend? A friend of mine rescued a few Greys and loved them but did find a few pulled her into other peoples gardens ::) :dog: ;D
How about rough collie rescue? They tend not to be as intense as Borders can be? Having said that as we all know their are exceptions to every rule when it comes to animals.
Their seem to be lots of unwanted staffie type dogs in rescue centres at the moment so perhaps a breed specific rescue is the answer.
Lots and lots of research to do I think :-J looks like the kitchen may have to wait..... :innocent:
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Very sorry for your parents.
I can personally recommend (having fostered for them and know their care in matching homes to dogs):
www.fostbc.org.uk (http://www.fostbc.org.uk)
www.protectingprelovedbordercollies.org.uk (http://www.protectingprelovedbordercollies.org.uk)
www.blackretrieverx.co.uk (http://www.blackretrieverx.co.uk)
The last two do most of their stuff on facebook, so don't be put off if the websites aren't up to date.
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So sorry to hear about your parents' collie :bouquet:
You are clearly very clued up about rehoming dogs, so I probably don't need to say this - but just in case someone else is reading for their own parents...
If taking a greyhound, or indeed any other dog, which may not be 100% with cats, sheep or other living things when off-lead, into a home with someone suffering dementia, a concern would have to be the door getting left open mistakenly and the dog escaping. So even if the plan is to do only lead walks, it is probably very important to get one that's 100% safe around cats and sheep. And traffic-aware, too ;)
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I read the OP and immediately thought a greyhound. We rehomed an ex-racer in September. She is totally fine with small furries (we have degu) ignores cats while out walking and having met sheep on a recent walk couldn't have been less bothered with them. She doesn't pull on the lead and is very easy as long as she has a space on the sofa!
Only thing is we couldn't let her off the lead, and although some can, in general your looking at a breed of dog that can't be trusted to be free range, unless it's fully enclosed.
Don't know where you are in the UK but we got our girl from
The Northumberland branch and they were extremely helpful
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How about rough collie rescue? They tend not to be as intense as Borders can be? Having said that as we all know their are exceptions to every rule when it comes to animals.
the first love of my life was my Rough Collie, I've tried to get another since but always end up with BC.
if there is time for the grooming I'd second that option, and they are such head turners when well groomed and out walking.
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I wanted a couple of RCs when we moved here but wasnt deemed fit to adopt by any of the shelters as I worked. When I became redundant I became eligible but wouldnt take on a dog without an income so my RC plans will have to wait until I win the lottery. Lol :innocent:
I think people who are able to have rescue dogs are very fortunate but the cats who adopted us have filled my dog needing gap. ;D
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the first love of my life was my Rough Collie, I've tried to get another since but always end up with BC.
if there is time for the grooming I'd second that option, and they are such head turners when well groomed and out walking.
There are always smooth collies. Exact same dog minus the floof ;)
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the first love of my life was my Rough Collie, I've tried to get another since but always end up with BC.
if there is time for the grooming I'd second that option, and they are such head turners when well groomed and out walking.
There are always smooth collies. Exact same dog minus the floof ;)
Many R collie connoisseurs would disagree with that :-)
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Maybe :) But breed standard is identical so you should be able to shave a rough and show it as a smooth ;) I have to say I prefer smooths as they have a bit more ompfh than the roughs I know..
<time to take cover I tihnk!>
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:)
That's what I'd read, more lively than the Regal Roughs :)
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Maybe not possible but could they have one of yours? They would already know it, so not a problem for your Mum getting to know a strange dog