Quote: Matt Lang

I thought I'd look for a dog in the 7-8 yr range or a young pup,

I now can't decide if it's better to get an older dog who deserves a decent life for the last few years, or a puppy so that they never have to have go through any of those bad circumstances, or an adult who has had a rough start but can have a lot of good times ahead.

the shelters are mostly full of young adults... 8 months to 2 yrs.


I think I'm not even exactly sure what I'm asking!

I also want to help the one that needs my help the most, since I can only help one.

I just got an emergency email from our county shelter a few minutes ago and they are completely maxed out

I'd feel bad leaving so many needy older dogs in there,


Anybody have any good philosophy on this? I can only rescue one unfortunately,

Matt- Have you ever considered fostering?

well im going to put my 2 cents in here.

Dogs in the older age range always have a hard time finding good homes.

Im not saying puppies are adopted out right away, but im sure the older dogs are generally there alot longer than puppies are.

Plus the longer the older dogs are in there, the more it will effect them. I find puppies bounce back from that environment much quicker than an older dog that has already lived a few years outside of the shelter then is dropped off and has to adjust to a Kenneled life.

again..these are just my opinions and what I see.
When I was looking for a dog I checked the shelters first. I would go up there generally on a weekly basis....and puppies I saw there one week were all gone the next time i went up. But most of the older dogs were still sitting there, waiting. I could almost see the changes in them each week. Going from a dog that would rush up to the kennel gate, tail wagging, etc...to a dog that would look up from it's bed in the corner when someone went by, but lost it's enthusiasim along the way. Or the other ones that were just going stir crazy and were bouncing off the walls making a bad impression because people would just assume they were a hyper dog, not thinking about how hard it is for some of them to be kenneled and not getting the proper exercise.


whew....sorry for the novel..lol.

and no, im not saying the shelter life is less stressful on a puppy, it's hard on any dog. But sometimes the kennel life is all a puppy knows, so it doesn't effect them in the same way

I agree with Wendy.

While I do think it's most important to find the best fit possible for your household and lifestyle, I will probably always lean towards the older ones...especially after fostering several in a row.

I know that there are several in our shelter right now that are 6+ who are owner surrenders and good dogs. One girl's been there for several weeks. She's 10. Poor baby.

P.S. My Dad just adopted a 3 year old feist from a rescue. Very nice boy and nice age I thought. I doubt I'll ever have a dog younger than two years in my house again.

I say get an old dog. I absolutely love old dogs. I ended up dragging this misfit home from county AC because his owners surrendered him when they lost their home. We don't know exactly how old he is, but his microchip was implanted 11 years ago at time of adoption...so he's probably 12+. He fit in immediately, seemed quite grateful and as if he understood that I saved his fuzzy @$$. He absolutely is as bonded to me (and only me) as my others are.

Meet Slim (greyhound/Bearded Collie/Lurcher mix):

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/Jenwilliams918/sony-sold196.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d33/Jenwilliams918/sony-sold158.jpg

I almost always adopt an old dog, too.



Still, "I do think it's most important to find the best fit possible for your household and lifestyle" ....

But for me, yes ..... the old dog whose owner has met with some reverse (or death, or whatever) is the dog who speaks to my heart.


Edited by Connie Sutherland (01/23/2012 02:31 PM)
Edit reason: eta

Wow - what a cool looking dog Jenni! And yes Tammy, my dog who recently died came to me as a foster nearly 2 yrs ago and ended up staying on with us. She was one of those ones that everyone would pass by in the shelter - older with funky teeth and bad joints, black, chow-mix... the kind of dog people would just not notice at all, but she always kept her spirits up and was cheerful even after several months in the shelter. No one called for her once I had her either, but it quickly became apparent that she'd found her home at my place and after a few weeks I don't think I could have given her up, even though it was constant drama with her wanting desperately to eradicate my felines! So, like Connie, I definitely have a soft spot for the older dogs too. I just can't afford a bunch more huge vet bills right now so I want to minimize the possibility as much as possible. Maybe with a dog that's 7-8 yrs rather than one that's closer to 10...

On the other hand, I'd like to raise at least one more puppy and I think it'd be good for my 4.5 yr old lab to help raise one at some point. It's a lot of work, but right now might be a good time for me to do it since I'm energetic and young enough, and still single, so I've got the freedom.

Otoh, the one I've honestly got my eyes on the most is a 2 yr old lab-mix. She's been in the shelter for 3 months after her family had financial problems and couldn't keep her any longer. She's a few hrs North of me but I have to head up that way this weekend anyway, so my dog and I are going to meet her on Sat. And the lab pup in our county shelter can't be seen until Wed, so we'll go meet her then.

Honestly, there's just WAY too many awesome dogs that need homes!

After I struck out on the 8 yr old German Shepherd at the Shepherd rescue (they don't have a volunteer in the area for the home inspection, and the dog has since been adopted), I got my eye on this one:
http://www.gcgsr.org/dog_pages/dana.html She seems like a great fit but they have the same problem as the other rescue (no volunteer up here). I could try pushing them by sending in an application with references and information, but the ones I've got my eye now are:

http://www.petharbor.com/pet.asp?uaid=HMCO.A058943

and

http://www.petango.com/Adopt/Dog-Retriever-Labrador-Terrier-Pit-Bull-14335795


and possibly this one, depending on how she is with cats:

http://www.petharbor.com/pet.asp?uaid=HMCO.A056734

Ummm, why can't the rescue coordinate with another rescue in your area for a home check? They do it all the time around here- there was interest for a dog from a person in OH, and the rescue from MN contacted a rescue close to the potential adopter for a home check. I have also done home checks for various rescues.

You can contact a rescue in your area- Ask if they would do a courtesy home check for this other rescue. It shouldn't be a big deal. Is Woof Project anywhere near you? I know they cover the west coast up into WA....

For what it's worth, Lillie is ADORABLE!!!! Love the ears!

 Quote: Matt Lang

Honestly, there's just WAY too many awesome dogs that need homes!

Yes, sad but true. And rescues need foster homes in order to save more from kill shelters...

It takes a special person to rescue the old dog. Either way I hope you get a good dog that you like.

Most rescues are screwed up beyond belief.Kelly on this site wanted a dog and couldn't get it worked out, sad. And don't take their word on the temperament testing, 2 of mine with excellent temperaments would most likely fail the food deal because of the stupid fake hand while they're eating. I'd bite some moron if they pawed a fake hand in my face while I was eating, lol

I also think their hearts start off in the right place but they forget or get bogged down in protocol, and many of them don't have a clue about dogs in general.

My nephews future mother in law is on the board for the towns shelter and she's completely dog retarded. She thinks it's criminal to use crates (her dogs piss and poop in the house, nice!) or any kind of corrective collar. She has some ideas about dogs based on nothing and I think a lot of dogs die because of people like her and she's probably one of many involved in rescue.