Not an older dog

[lostsoul62]

I had a dog for 9 years and when she died I ended up in the hospital for 3 days. I'm 62 and the next dog that dies will be the end of me. I am emotionally weak but I'm a very lonely person and I need a dog. I need to get a pup because if I die before she does she will be just fine and if she dies before me I will be in trouble. If I was married I could survive the dead of a dog but I don't think that will happen. I'm a good looking man who loves everyone but with luck maybe I can get married because I'm moving to OK where they have friendly ladies. But my dog isn't just a dog she will be my closest buddy.

 

[FoxyWench]

but what happens to the dog if you pass away beofre it does...
thats a little bit selfish...

perhaps an "older" small breed dog, they have a naturally longer lifespan, are easier for mobility impaired people, and a 3 yr old smaller breed could eaisly have another 12+ yrs ahead of them...where as a 3 yr old shepard or lab might only have 7yrs...

and remember older doesnt nessicarily mean a senior, just a dog whos already past that crazy puppy stage.

as a side note, remember, there are human beings still alive over 100yrs old at 62 you could have another 20+ years ahead of you...

unfortunatly unless your looking at a chihuahua...or plan on dying before your 75, its not very likely even a new 8 week old puppy is going to outlive you, no matter what its size or breed.

 

[bubbatd]

Hmmm ! When I lost my last pal I was 74 ( I think! ) I couldn't live without a dog and adopted Ollie ( about a year old ) . I have no idea which of us will go first . I just enjoy and live day by day .

 

[smkie]

YOU need a dog you can provide appropriate exercise to. I wish there was a breed like MR. SHaffer because he is not an old dog, he is only 5 but he is a calm dog and low impact kind of guy. He is satisfied with what my dogs would find unacceptable. I had a friend who was a veteran, a wonderful man, that was also very crippled up. He wanted a pointer puppy and wanted me to help him. I couldn't do it because i didn't see how he could possibly give that kind of dog what it needs. THe inside of a trailer and a chain is not enough. HE later accepted that but not before he spent months not talking to me. You have to see it from both sides, what you need AND what the dog needs to be healthy and fit. THAt is why I suggested an older dog. AT LEAST one that is over 5 and use to a slower paced life. I hope you find the dog that you need and one that will fit well with what you can provide. I couldn't make it without a dog and I understand.

GRammy you know that Ollie has a good back up home. THat is one thing to be considered.

 

[Boemy]

Most dogs don't live past their midteens . . . Even if a dog lived until it was twenty, it would probably pass away before you did; lots of people live into their nineties.

I know it's hard to lose a pet, but I just don't think you can count on you dying before the dog does. (Also, what will happen to the dog when you die?)

I would think about dogs that will be easy to take care of if you have health problems in the future.

Best of luck!

 

[FoxyWench]

grammy, i agree with smikie said, YOU have a back up home, the op already stated in his other post that currently he has no friends or family...but wants the dog to outlive him...

i hope he puts alot more thought into WHERE that dog would end up if he got his wish...

 

[Doberluv]

You never know when a dog is going to die or when you are. It doesn't matter what breed or what age you start out with. Things happen to dogs...illnesses, accidents and they can happen without warning. If you can't handle losing a dog to death, my advice, is to not get one. OR.....learn how to handle it....to accept it. I know all too well, and so do most of us here, how devestating it is to lose our pets. I've gone through it several times and it's the worst. But I handled it because I had to. There is simply no other choice. So, maybe you should get some help on that ahead of time. Then think about getting a dog.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best. You're not that old and barring anything unforseen, you should be able to get another dog or two. I think it's always wise to have someone you like and trust who is willing to take care of your dog, should you pass on first. Dogs do adjust pretty well to new homes, generally. I don't think you're being selfish to want the companionship of a dog...not at all. If that is the case, then we're all selfish because anything can happen at any time to any one of us.

Breed choice, age...all that should be researched ahead of time. Exercise requirements, how active you are and all that should be taken into account. Small breeds do tend to live longer, generally and many, but not all, have smaller exercise requirements.

A puppy is a lot of work and they need so much from us. A somewhat older dog may indeed by a wise choice. I am sure sorry for your loss and for what you went through. I hope you will find the strength to find some acceptance with future loss because it can get us all at the drop of a hat.

 

[lostsoul62]

I'm really not trying to be selfish

but what happens to the dog if you pass away beofre it does...
thats a little bit selfish...

A dog would have more emotional suability than I would have because I am a very sensitive male. I ask to be put into the mental hospital 2 week after my dog died because I was afraid of losing my own health and I cried more over my dog than I have in my entire adult life. I need a medium size dog and I really am not trying to be selfish I just need to servive.
If I died before my golden died I wrote into my trust to give my ex-wife $10,000 to care for the dog which she did love. When I get another dog it too would be very well taken care of in case of my death.

 

[bubbatd]

I feel your pain and understand . But now you state that you have a back up ! To me a dog is they only happiness you can buy !!! I almost wasn't allowed to adopt Ollie because of my age . Only the good Lord knows what will happen if he goes before I do . I can't ( won't ) live without a dog !

 

[yoko]

will whoever is taking your dog if you die get regular interaction with the dog?

because i have seen dogs let go and die when they loose their person. and if you are wanting a one person dog *got info from other thread not this one* that seems like you are kind of setting the dog up to go right after you.

 

[smkie]

If you have a back up and back up funds that is a different story. THat leaves the consideration of excercise and how much you can give. I would look at breeds that are not high energy.

 

[bubbatd]

Smkie I know I should give Ollie more exercise and that is the only thing he lacks . That's why I would never adopt some breeds .

 

[lizzybeth727]

will whoever is taking your dog if you die get regular interaction with the dog?

This is a good point. I know of some dogs that are so attached to their person that they go into depression, stop eating, etc. and really go downhill just when their person goes on vacation and leaves the dog with a "sitter." If the person died and didn't come back, I have no doubt some dogs would also die within a month.

My dog is not a one-person dog, she's very social and in crowds usually prefers saying hello to everyone rather than sticking with me. But I don't mind, it means that she's ok when I go out of town and leave her, she doesn't have panic attacks when I leave her home alone, and if I die I know she'll be ok. I'd rather have a dog like that than a "one-person dog."

I'd suggest for you to check out rescues, or even get an adult dog from a breeder. Breeders often have adults available, when they get returned or for other reasons; many members of this forum have gotten adult dogs from breeders. Rescues, too, often focus on one breed, so when you narrow it down a bit you can check with breed specific rescues. Most rescues have relatively low turn-over rates with their dogs - meaning that the dogs will be in the rescue for usually at least a month looking for a home - so you should have time to think about it.

 

[lostsoul62]

will whoever is taking your dog if you die get regular interaction with the dog?

because i have seen dogs let go and die when they loose their person. and if you are wanting a one person dog *got info from other thread not this one* that seems like you are kind of setting the dog up to go right after you.

I think you lost me somewhere. How am I setting my dog up to go right after me? Should I not get a one person dog? What other threads are you talking about? I feel I might be dence becasue I don't understand your thread.

 

[lostsoul62]

A one man dog???

This is a good point. I know of some dogs that are so attached to their person that they go into depression, stop eating, etc. and really go downhill just when their person goes on vacation and leaves the dog with a "sitter." If the person died and didn't come back, I have no doubt some dogs would also die within a month.

I said "A one man dog" because I'm trying not to get the same type of dog as my Golden because my heart was truly broken when she passed on. I guess your right about some dogs also get heart broken. When we lelf are Golden and Polaranian they seem to do OK but we don't know how they really feel. I want to get another dog later on but I have no idea what kind except that I want the dog to be medium or large.

 

[smkie]

Ollie and Mr SHaffer seem to know that they must be gentle and careful with their owner. I hope the op finds one like that. My worry is that a dog would be rowdy and possibly a bolter. Maybe the op would be able to have a dog understand as well that a slower paced life is necessary. THe big difference i think is that both Ollie and Mr Shaffer were adults when they came. Over that teenage revolt stage that worries me.

 

[Gsd_pitboxer]

I really thought this was going to happen as well . The first night i brought home my GSD , she was going off the hook , like just sitting on the couch , but if Holly - boxer , or my moms dog , if they walked by , it would snap at them .. I spent that night trying to settle her down , and the next day it was fine . They still " play fight " , but nothing like that first hour together. Now the 2 are in the same room , all the time . ( always together )

 

[bubbatd]

Ollie sure senses to be careful with me ..... if I get up in the dark , he won't jump up from where he's laying and trip me .

 

[FoxyWench]

im going to re0iterate the point that dogs dont live forever...and since your only in your EARLY 60's its HIGHLY likley YOU are going to outlive your dog.

the chihuahua has the longest average lifespan and can get into its 20's (however mid-late teens are more likely)
so even the breed with the longest lifespan could be easily outlived by a human...
lets see, lets say you whent with a chihuahua, simply because they live the longest on average of all breeds...now lets say that chihuahua lived to a ripe old age of 18...thats OLD for a chihuahua (14 is about average)
that would make you ONLY 80 yrs of age...remember, humans can live untill there in their hundereds!

if the loss of another dog is going to be so hard on you that you MUST outlive your dog you might want to reconsider...
unless youve been told "well mr smith, you have cancer and have 6 months to live" you have absolutly no idea if your going to live till your 90 or get hit by a bus tomorrow...

so you HAVE to keep in mind that there is a very strong possibility you WILL outlive your dog.

now, what if on the off chance your dog outlives you...lets say you have abad heart or something...
are you SURE you have a home lined up.
your ex wife loved your last dog, mabe she wont like the new one? what if she passes before you, are there other people in your life you can absolutly rely on to take ANY dog you end up getting, even if its not "their kind of dog"
i know if i were to die today my mother would take my chihuahuas, and a frined form another forum would be taking my cresties because my mum and dad dont realy "like" the cresties...theyd be looked after but not realy LOVED the way they should be.

having these plans in place are just as important as having a will.

im also going to ask, instead of making lots of new threads about the same subject that you put additional info under the same subject heading so theres not 3 different threads about the exact same thing