Possible Rescue Dog

[David]

I know it's very soon after the SBD, but I feel I'm going nuts with the loss at the moment. I'm not going to make any major decisions until a suitable amount of time has passed (this is code for not breaking up every time I think of the SBD) but as a means of keeping my sanity I'm looking at the possibility of a rescue dog. My OH, R, has pushed me in this direction. We live south of London and Labrador Retriever Southern England looks good. Any experience with this organisation? On the face of it they look good. Alternatives? There website is www.labrador-rescue.org.uk .

One aspect I worry about is age and not being to look after a dog if either or both of us has failing health and this organisation offers (actually insists) on taking the dog back if this happens so that's a big plus point.

 

[Jelinga]

I think that is an excellent idea and as someone wrote on a thank you card to the vet I worked for "we are not replacing our beloved dog, but creating a new space in our hearts'. I see the Lab Rescue also does fostering, so you could perhaps foster if you are not sure yet.

I had a friend who lived in London some time ago and they did rescue a couple of Labs that probably came from there and were very happy.

 

[David]

I guess if you foster then there could be the option of taking the dog on full time depending on the circumstances ie the dog's owner isn't just in need of a period of respite for some reason. My problem with this would be forming a bond with the new dog. I'd be nervous of that.

 

[kateincornwall]

David, take a look also at Team Edward Labrador Rescue , they are based in the midlands but are happy to rehome all over the UK , a lovely group they are too and will also pledge to take care of a rehomed dog if necessary .
I fully understand your thoughts about age , I`m 73 now so was 71 when we got Reuben as a puppy , some thought me quite insane but truly it was the best thing I ever did .
Being without a dog after years of being with one is like having a limb removed , there is no right or wrong time xx

 

[David]

Done and registered.

 

[kateincornwall]

Done and registered.

Who have you registered with ? Both are very good indeed xx

 

[Atemas]

I think it’s a good idea you getting a possible rescue dog. It helped enormously having Red here - she was a good diversion in that she needed feeding, walking, caring for and loving. I think a home without a dog must be very very hard

 

[snowbunny]

Fostering in general isn't done on behalf of the owners; usually at this point the dog has been placed in the care of an organisation and they try to find a home for them to live in so they're not in a kennel environment. This is obviously better for the welfare of the dog, and it's also good for the organisation to get a better appreciation of what the dog is like in a home environment, so anything potential adopters need to be aware of if the dog turns out to not be a good fit for you. It's worth talking to the organisations about how they do fostering, so you know whether it's something that would work for you or not.

There is no standard of what time should elapse. You have to do what is right for you. I think it must be terribly hard to go from having a dog in the house to none. For some people, that is something they endure because they're not ready to welcome another dog in yet. For others, it's too painful to endure and another dog helps enormously. There is no right, no wrong. There just "is".

Team Edward and Labrador Rescue are both very good organisations. Another I'd add is BRX: Black Retriever X Rescue

Good luck with your search. Thinking of you both x

 

[David]

Who have you registered with ? Both are very good indeed xx

Your one so far.

 

[Selina27]

This is a lovely idea David, good luck with it, I look forward to hearing how it works out.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

It's a very good idea you have and there is no "too soon".

My foster Mama Jodhi saved my sanity after Duncan died. Her human had also died, so it really felt like we were helping each other. Carbon also saved me, though it was years after Brogan died. I felt like I adopted Brogan too soon after Duncan (about two months) so I was determined not to repeat that "mistake" with whatever dog I got after Brogan. But it wasn't a mistake because I then ended up waiting too long and turning into a basket case. It was horrible those 2,5 years without a dog. I still remember the first night home with Paul and Carbon as fosters, them both sitting on my lap (well, Carbon on my lap, Paul on my HEAD) and just thinking I could finally breathe again for the first time since Brogan died. It was such a relief.

If you are worried about the age issue, maybe consider fostering an older dog? They are tough to place and goes without saying very deserving. Jodhi was 8 years old when I got her as a week-long foster and easy as pie. Of course not all fosters are easy, even the older ones, but someone willing to foster or adopt an older dog does generally get the most lovely older dogs out there as (again) the younger ones get picked up more quickly.

Agree with @snowbunny , in most normal fosters, the dog doesn't have a home to go back to. There are some very specialised groups that take on dogs for people who are too ill to care for them, but that is not the norm at all. If you foster, just be clear that you get first dibs and final approval over a final home for the dog. Some groups allow this, others don't. After some initial dodgy experiences, I only foster where I make the final decision. Anything else risks too much heartbreak, at least for me.

Another I'd add is BRX: Black Retriever X Rescue

Thanks for adding this one! @David , @Beanwood has done a lot of fostering for BRX so may have some tips for you. Although they didn't end up actually doing anything, their willingness to sponsor Carbon (with a huge push from @Beanwood ) is what allowed me to get him out of Spain.

 

[Jelinga]

I guess if you foster then there could be the option of taking the dog on full time depending on the circumstances ie the dog's owner isn't just in need of a period of respite for some reason. My problem with this would be forming a bond with the new dog. I'd be nervous of that.

I think the idea is you foster and then fall in love and keep the dog

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

I think the idea is you foster and then fall in love and keep the dog

Noooo @Jelinga , that NEVER happens.

Joking aside, @David , whether you foster to get a dog to a forever home or become a "foster fail" where you become the forever home, both situations are wins.

Also thinking out loud, but something that helped me very much right after Brogan died was going to the shelter in Regensburg (no kill) and walking the dogs every day. It gave me a structure and something to focus on, which I sorely needed. I did that in Spain, too, which is how I met Carbon and Paul and loads of other dogs.

 

[Oberon]

We got Obi two weeks after Nicolae died. I just couldn’t stand the emptiness of a dogless house. I also like to feel that Nicolae sent Obi to us...

So, go for it. You are going to help yourselves and also make a dog in need very happy (and lucky!!).

 

[Candy]

I have always felt that our house without a dog doesn't really feel like home. I have had to wait for practical reasons to get another dog after the loss of a much loved one and have always felt like I'm just in limbo. Go for it as soon as you feel able David!

 

[edzbird]

There is no prescribed time. You will know. Belle was a single dog for years, Then we adopted big Scooby. When he died, our house was so strange. We were meant to have 2 dogs. We missed Scooby terribly. 6 days later we went to enquire about another adoption (Coco). When Belle died it was a while before we were 2 again.

 

[kateincornwall]

When my Labrador Tess died in 2011 , I knew that I wanted another Lab in my life . Tess had left not only a big hole but a little terrier Lily who was bereft . Sam came into our lives just weeks later, I didnt feel guilty, didnt feel disloyal , just felt this need to pass on the love I had for Tess to another dog . When Sam was diagnosed with cancer at just five years old , I swore that there would be no more , I had lost Lily too and then Millie who came after her , too much heartbreak I said . Then along came Miss Nelly , she and Sam had a lovely bond then Sam died . My resolve began to waver , I told myself that if it was meant to be, then I would get some sort of sign , that sign being the birth of Sams great nephew Reuben . So , a dogs purpose is to help us to live a good life , and help us to cope with what has gone before , of this I am sure . Do what feels right for you David , a dogless life might be easier but it is also more empty ! All the best to you and Rosemary xxx

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

I also like to feel that Nicolae sent Obi to us...

I still talk to Brogan on occasion and if Carbon is being particularly weird (in a delightful way of course ) I always tell Brogan, "Well, you picked out this crazy boy for me, you need to help me figure out how to deal with him!"

 

[Lisa]

Everyone copes differently, and as the others have said, there’s no right or wrong. After my first pooch died it was a couple years before we got another because we had little kids and I couldn’t cope with the thought of adding a puppy to the mix. And then after my Jet died I knew I wanted another dog but felt I wasn’t ready right away. But Simba came bumbling along 6 months later and that was that.

Going the foster route with an older dog is a great idea! Something good to look forward to, which is great.

 

[Loraseal]

Out of curiosity @David have you considered a retired guidedog? I do believe we may have somebody on this forum that could help send you a link.