General Chat

We now have just the one black Lab who's 12 3/4, having lost our other six months ago a few days short of his 14th birthday.
They both love(d) the car (in a cage) and would be so quiet and contented that on at least one occasion we forgot they were there when we parked until the alarm went off as we walked away.
They both had their teeth cleaned every night from a puppy and that is a great help to good health, also a source of amusement when we are caravanning and we take them over to the tap to have them done.

Thanks to everyone for suggestions...I shall be giving them serious thought! :-D

We have had dogs for 50 years. Our last black lab died a year ago. We decided not to have another one because neither of us are able to walk a dog very far now, and it that wouldn't be right for the dog.
The house is very very strange without a dog around.

There is an elderly lady in the village who minds other peoples dogs when the owners go away on holiday, or for the weekend. Sometimes just for the day if they have to go somewhere and can't take the dog - funeral, wedding etc.
Not everyone likes to put their dogs in kennels, we never did.
This lady always seems to be looking after someones dog, so there must be a need for this service.

Tec.

Many smaller animal re homing charities need people to 'foster' dogs before they go to new homes. They provide the equipment and food - you just need to provide the time because many dogs don't do well in kennels. Have a look at the local re-homing centres near you.

I would like Eeyore's dog, its photo was her avatar and it has such an expressive face. I haven't seen Eeyore on here for a little while.

Rose, why don't you look into fostering an older dog. I know springer rescue cover vets bill for their oldies and I'm sure other dog charities do also. Otherwise, look for someone who works and offer to have their dog while they're at work. Just a thought. Elaine. ;-)

Betty (the Staffie - confusing when I've got a cat with the same name!) is lovely with humans and other dogs - but I wouldn't trust her near my cats!!
She'd prefer to be sat in the car for an hour, knowing that the family will soon be back, than left at home, waiting a wee bit longer.
When anyone goes round their house and sits on the sofa, they soon find a dog curled up - cat like - on their lap fast asleep!!
She loves her comfort :-D

. It is very strange but just recently I have dreamed several times that we have brought a dog. We would both love one but recognise that now is not the right time for us, so we are like two sad souls who talk to other peoples dogs when we are out walking.

Maggie I had a Staffie name Duke,( because he walked like John Wayne). Duke was fifteen and half when he died. He was the nicest natured dog ever, children loved him and he was great with them, in fact my Mother always said he was more like a child than a dog. They do have a bad reputation, but I think it says more about the owners than the dog, however it is best to err on the side of caution with all dogs when there are children around

Four years ago when we lost our 15yr old rescue dog - we had him from 8 weeks, not possible to have a dog anymore, still miss one around. However we adopted one at the Dogs Trust. Last week we had a letter - they are trying to fund raise to build another shelter. Over Christmas holiday period this trust received 1500 dogs. That is horrific.

Same post OH received £25 from Ernie - I asked him if it would make a difference to his life style - he said no so I sent £25 to the Dogs Trust!!!!

Could you not ask/volunteer at your local dog's home Rose? I know there are walkers at some near to us.

btw: I've emailed a beautiful picture.....he's adorable :-D X

Like alot of people on here i love all dogs, in fact all animals, except for snakes.!!
My favourite dog is the staffy. We had one for 13 years. Brilliant family dog.
I have a jack russell now, and love all shapes and sizes. They are such characters, but quite energetic.!
In my dreams, i would love a pug or a bull dog, but cost out of question.

The one thing i have found is that vet bills are very expensive, and at one time recently we had to pay out quite a bit monthly for tablets. Maybe that is the reason for so many dogs being homeless. Even insurance does not cover alot of things as my daughter found out. when her cat was ill. So unfair.

Sue :-)

I would take any dog Rose.....Love em all....

I dont have a dog anymore (heartaches :-()...I have my Mums Dog quite a few days a week., my foster dog LOL....Hes a jack russel, he has a lovley manner about him and when I was ill he was just a pup and went to stay with Mum for a long time he never left my side it was if he knew (Blub)

Also Bfs Mum has a dog a yorkshire terrier cross Alfie he came from the dog trust not so long ago....he had such a sorrowful story but since being taken in he has come on leaps and bounds, hes happy and content and such aloving dog...

I adore dogs, and if I could I would take them all in... :-) <3 <3 <3

I'm also a sucker for a collie Rose...their intense stare makes me melt lol.

I still miss my dog, who I had for 12 years till she got cancer. I miss my cats too, they all died of old age. I haven't been in a position to have more pets since I lost mine but would love a dog and cats. If I don't do something about it soon, I will be too old and would have to sign up for the Cinnamon Trust who look after pets if their owners have to go into hospital or become too frail to care for them.

Maybe you could make contact with the Trust Rose, and do some fostering or something. I am sure they would be glad of any help offered.

Lizx


What does the Cinnamon Trust do?

The Trust’s primary objective is to respect and preserve the treasured relationship between owners and their pets. To this end it works in partnership with owners to overcome any difficulties that might arise. A national network of over 15,000 community service volunteers has been established to provide practical help when any aspect of day to day care poses a problem - for example, walking the dog for a housebound owner.

A national fostering service is provided for pets whose owners face a spell in hospital - volunteers take pets into their own homes and supply love and care in abundance until owner and pet can be reunited.

The Cinnamon Trust also provides long term care for pets whose owners have died or moved to residential accommodation which will not accept pets. Arrangements are made between owners and the Trust well in advance, so owners do have peace of mind in the knowledge that their beloved companion will have a safe and happy future. Emergency cards are available on request.

When a pet is in the Trust’s care either short term or long term because the owner is in care, the owner is kept in touch with visits, if possible, or regular photos and letters.

When I got my PPI back last year, I gave both my daughters money.
Younger daughter got 2 rescue cats, elder daughter got a rescue staffie - that's her,(Betty) in my avatar with one of my grandsons (he's ill in the pic), 6 days after getting her.

She, and my younger grandson Jago (aged 2 and a half) 'play fight'. The dog could quite easily walk off - but doesn't. It's quite weird to walk into the living room to see them both rolling around on the floor, the dog's tail wagging madly, as she grabs his arm in her mouth!!
She doesn't hurt him at all, yet we all know what damage she could do.
He doesn't talk much yet (too much doggy influence?) but can suss out an animals' feelings.
Betty (one of my cats) was pi**ed off with him, put her ears back - he backed off immediately. No-one had told him she was cross - he just knew. My cats have never attacked a human - or a child - yet!!

Not a bad idea Susan :-)

I Know Rose.....why not start up a business as a dog walker.....I know a couple who do just that....or a dog sitter.....I bet there are a few old people who need their dogs walking :-)

It's too far from me Susan otherwise I would :-)

'Archie' is smiling out at me lol, he's a crossbreed...part spaniel part coliie I should think..I'm a sucker for collies. Many of the dogs listed are larger breeds or Staffies, and a lot of Jack Russell types.

The Dogs Home here had a piece in the paper saying how many more dogs had been taken in since christmas, can't remember the figures but there was a picture of 2 little Yorkies that had been abandoned and they were so lovely that I was tempted but sense prevailed thankfully. Maybe one day we'll be in a position to have another dog but not now . :-( :-(

Any dog looking at me makes me go ahhhh. It's the eyes that do it. :-D

Hello Rose,

I have grown up having a dog as part of the family. Our last family pooch was a Springer Spaniel, he was fabulous. Though he was a family dog, my OH was definitely his master. My daughter used to read him stories when she was younger.

My daughter has a rescue puppy, she lives near us so we 'share' the dog.... Best of both worlds. This dog is a bitzer, noy quite sure what one of the bits is though :-).

maybe when we retire we will get our own dog again, though I remember how traumatic it is to lose a pet


:-(