Wisdom of getting a new Dog for Mom...

[ultrarunner]

Mom's companion Australian Shepherd of 15 years past last week after a short decline lasting 3 days... they went daily for a 3 to 5 mile loop walk for the last 14 years... he was born at her home so was always a special part of the family and very good with people and especially kids of all of ages.

With Mom being 82 and having some memory problems they made a good team and together got their exercise and were known and liked by all she knew... it's ironic be he was the runt of the litter and the vet said he should be put down when he was born and even as a pup would seek her out... never a health issue after... not a single one.

The day after he passed... Mom says to me she can't find him and is worried what could have happened... I had to remind her that he died the day before.

Two days later she called and asked if I could stop and bring her dog food as she is running low... and I had to remind her that she did not have a dog anymore.

Her friends want me to get a replacement as soon as possible... the same type if possible.

I'm just not sure if this would be a good idea given the wild card of how any new pet will act especially at Mom's age.

Anyone gone through this before... would it be fair to Mom and/or the new dog?

 

[brasco426]

I'm sorry to hear of the loss. How about a rescue, they can be some of the best companions, if they can still have a good temperament after going through what some of them do it might just workout. Donnie

 

[barko1]

Maybe an older rescue dog that doesn't have the need for much exercise. Sorry to hear about the loss and her struggles.

 

[ultrarunner]

I did take her to local shelter and maybe it was too soon... she has gone between not getting one and wanting one.

A new dog would have big shoes to fill...

 

[hawkeye08]

She will warm up to rescue dog I bet, part of the attraction for elderly folks is that the animal needs them (be rescued). It'll never replace the other one, just needs to make new memories...

 

[Rustyferrious]

A gentle rescue dog would give mom purpose, and may prevent depression. I'd definitely would recommend putting in some time to find the right animal.

The Shepard was quite handsome and I can see by the expression in his eyes (in the photo) what a great companion he was.

 

[Deere Dude]

I was going to snowbird and din't want my 5 year old black lab springer mix. Great dog but I just wanted to give it a new home.

I put an ad on the radio and got a call a couple hours later and I told them to come out and look.

A car comes out with a middle age couple and a 80-82 year old lady in the back seat. It seems she lost her dog a couple months before and really missed him so the couple helped her find one. As soon as she saw the dog she fell in love with it and went ga-ga over it. They took it along.

I got her address and visited a few times when I was in town and the dog never had it so good. He had the run of the house, could sleep where it pleased and was fed great. She was with it mentally but a dog just seemed to help her cope with her aging better.

As long as she could take care of the dog, maybe with a little help of course, I thing it's a good idea.

 

[ultrarunner]

Definitely open to it... just need to make sure because Mom seems to go back and forth between wanting one and not...

I try to check on her during my lunch break... she is about 15 minutes away.

One other point from my thinking is all of her neighbors have had break ins... the kind where someone comes in from the woods, over the fence and kicks in a door or breaks a window... she has been in her home since 1969 and we have always had a dog since 1970 and she is the only home that has not been burglarized...

He dog was an outside dog... meaning he slept outside year round... she would say it was his job to keep an eye on things... he came along a few months after Dad passed away and sometimes she has commented on how protective he was of her...

Many Australian Shepards are known for high energy... he was just mellow and friendly but big enough to give someone pause.

 

[drssg]

I did take her to local shelter and maybe it was too soon... she has gone between not getting one and wanting one. A new dog would have big shoes to fill...

When my father's dog passed away, my sister took unusual initiative and simply brought him another rescue dog. She told him he didn't have to keep it if he didn't want to, but of course he quickly grew to love the new dog.

He told my sister, "You know she's going to out live me." And I think that's the reason he was reluctant to get another one. My sister assured him that she would take care of the dog, if needed, and that's what ended up happening.

I'd say my dad needed another dog, and she was a wonderful companion in his final months. So I vote for getting your mother another dog, even if she's not convinced it's a good idea.

 

[ultrarunner]

Thanks drsg... I think this is part of Mom's thinking... her dogs have all lived long healthy lives... 14-15 is typical and they are in the 40 to 60lb range.

It sure would give something to focus her energies in addition to the keeping up the yard.

All of the family dogs had a strong fruit appetites for whatever was in season... they loved picking peaches, plums, figs and especially pumpkins which would keep them busy... never knew dogs were so crazy about fruit... maybe it help in living a long life?