A few of us are trying to help an elderly friend of ours who would like to have an English Bulldog. I'd like your thoughts on the best way to do this - if we should.

Facts:
This man is in his 80's. He is in very good health, but does not have his legs (past military injury). He grew up with bulldogs, and until his sister died (they lived together), they had had a couple of english bulldogs. This last one died a few years ago. He would very much like to have another one as a companion.

He has 3 caregivers who rotate being in his home 24/7. They are awesome, dedicated women who are very excited about the prospect of this dog, and want to share in the care and walking of the dog. There is also a family member of one of these caregivers who would be interested in taking the dog if something happened to this man.

Questions:

1. If we happen to find a rescue dog that would fit, would a rescue organization even consider adopting a dog out to someone who is in their 80's?
2. If not a rescue, what's the next best option - contact breeders? or look for private ads?

I haven't had much experience with this sort of thing, or with english bulldogs! But he truly loves them and is so excited about the prospect of having one, that it just makes you want to help!

Thanks for any insight you guys might have.

Lori,
Lots of shelters in my area (Boston) have Seniors for Seniors programs. I'd start there; my mother-in-law is in her 80s and lost her long time companion a Cocker Spaniel last year and is now interested in adopting another one. I have not had any shelters balk at her age (as it should be) age prejudice is a terrible thing.....especially as I get older.

Our local shelter has an online feature where you click on a breed (or size, or any other descriptor) for the dogs they may have available who fit the requirements.

BUT .... someone uninvolved emotionally to assess any potential adoptee's health might be a very good idea with this breed (even more than Pugs and other brachycephalics).



eta

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_brachycephalic.html

QUOTE: "The English Bulldog tends to have more severe symptoms in almost all aspects of brachycephalic syndrome."



Edited by Connie Sutherland (10/26/2011 09:31 PM)
Edit reason: eta

 Quote: connie sutherland

Our local shelter has an online feature where you click on a breed (or size, or any other descriptor) for the dogs they may have available who fit the requirements.

BUT .... someone uninvolved emotionally to assess any potential adoptee's health might be a very good idea with this breed (even more than Pugs and other brachycephalics).
eta

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_brachycephalic.html

QUOTE: "The English Bulldog tends to have more severe symptoms in almost all aspects of brachycephalic syndrome."

Connie, funny that you mentioned about a person needed to assess health issues, because that is my job in this. They are all excited and emotional about this whole thing, and I'm the boring voice of reason! Thank you for the article about the brachycephalic syndrome issue. I do know about that as I have friends with pugs, but you can't know too much! I'm doing a lot of reading about bulldogs and the issues that are unique to them so I can be as much help as possible.

I will be checking into local shelters and rescue groups. I just know that many of them are VERY particular about who they adopt out to - and need to be. But some of them are so overboard - my son wanted to adopt a cat a few months ago and he found one he really loved, but they had such an attitude towards him because he's only 24 and lives alone. I guess they were afraid he'd be irresponsible because of his age. He did end up finding another one a few weeks later that has turned out to be the best cat I've ever known! He's more than half Maine Coon and he's beautiful. He acts more like a dog than a cat - is so affectionate and loving. But it was hard to work with the rescues because of his age. Maybe shelters are more forgiving?!

 Quote: Sheila Buckley

Lori,
Lots of shelters in my area (Boston) have Seniors for Seniors programs. I'd start there; my mother-in-law is in her 80s and lost her long time companion a Cocker Spaniel last year and is now interested in adopting another one. I have not had any shelters balk at her age (as it should be) age prejudice is a terrible thing.....especially as I get older.

The Senior for Senior programs are great. Considering he is looking for an Eng. Bulldog, I would first start by contacing the Bull Dog Club of America and give them the information. I think they would be better able to make the right placement, and as Connie mentioned, are more aware of the health issues of the breed.

http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/

 Quote: Tammy Moore

The Senior for Senior programs are great. Considering he is looking for an Eng. Bulldog, I would first start by contacing the Bull Dog Club of America and give them the information. I think they would be better able to make the right placement, and as Connie mentioned, are more aware of the health issues of the breed.

http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/

I have heard through a former breeder that The Bulldog clubs are very good about rehoming and rescuing, so I think this is great advice. Lori, I will try to contact her via a mutual friend and see what she can provide me in regards to kennel club help in CA as she was involved on a national level. I hope this guy finds his perfect Bully!

 Quote: Amy VandeWeerd

 Quote: Tammy Moore

The Senior for Senior programs are great. Considering he is looking for an Eng. Bulldog, I would first start by contacing the Bull Dog Club of America and give them the information. I think they would be better able to make the right placement, and as Connie mentioned, are more aware of the health issues of the breed.

http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/

I have heard through a former breeder that The Bulldog clubs are very good about rehoming and rescuing, so I think this is great advice. Lori, I will try to contact her via a mutual friend and see what she can provide me in regards to kennel club help in CA as she was involved on a national level. I hope this guy finds his perfect Bully!

Thank you Amy, that'd be great!

There has been quite a bit of talk on the forum about rescue groups and their requirements. Some are crazy but I have also been turned away from breeders for just the same crazy reasons ( will not declaw my cats, I own a pit bull, I am young ect ) So no matter what way you go just find someone that is willing to work with this situation. When older people come to me for a rescue dog I have two concerns.

1. Do they want a puppy ( not usually best)
2. Do they have a home lined up if their health begins to fail. ( I know I could get hit by a bus tomorrow and my zoo of animals would be in limbo but I like to know the person has a support system)

Then it is just about finding the right match.

Here is a list of the available dog through the Bulldog Club of America Rescue Network. They are listed by state. Click on the dogs name to be taken to it.

http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/display.pl

These are the dogs on Petfinder. There will be mixes and you will have to ask more questions but I think it is worth it!

http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?animal_type=Dog&pet_breed=English%20Bulldog

Sounds like you have the health issues in check. I hope you find a great companion for him.

Good luck

 Quote: ericka duggan

2. Do they have a home lined up if their health begins to fail. ( I know I could get hit by a bus tomorrow and my zoo of animals would be in limbo but I like to know the person has a support system)

I have seen this particular (potential) problem happen firsthand. The Doberman rescue I work with does try to do senior-to-senior adoptions. The benefits of this type of situation to both the dog and human can be heart-warming.

But there was a 10-year-old female Dobie in the rescue. She got there because her elderly owner had to be placed in a nursing home, and the owner's daughter took the dog to the local dog pound. Fortunately, the pound contacted our rescue, and she was placed with another wonderful elderly gentleman. During the adoption process, there were serious talks with this gentleman's daughter or son (I can't remember which it was right now), and promises that the dog would be returned to our rescue if anything happened to her owner.

Sadly, the new owner, who was 90 or so, also had to go into a nursing home. What did the son/daughter do? You guessed it, they took the dog straight to the pound. Fortunately, her microchip referred them straight back to our rescue.

When I saw what this poor, now-11-year-old dog had gone through, I myself was going to adopt her, but the night before we were to go pick her up, I got a call saying that the foster mom had fallen in love with her and was devastated at the thought of giving her up. I said it was most important to me that she have a loving home, so I let her keep her.

Sorry for the long story, but I just wanted to point out how important it is in senior-to-senior adoptions to be absolutely sure there will be someone looking out for the dog if the owner dies or becomes incapacitated. Lori, it doesn't sound like this would be a problem in your friend's case. There is a family member who is "interested," but it also seems like this lucky man has plenty of friends who will look out for not only him but his dog, too. I hope it works out for him. Having a dog can be such an inspiration, as has been recently discussed on another thread.

I have also seen this happen. I chip all of my rescues as well and I am always on the contact list. People blow me away but I try not to punish everyone of the few idiots. I am so glad the Dobie found her forever home. Lucky girls to have two people want her!