Crazy to adopt OLD dog?

[ayleash]

Hello FRIENDS -

This is posted in "the senior pug" because in many ways, the issues of any senior dog adoption are similar: I worry for my heart and my wallet.

I am looking at an 11 year old... <brace yourselves...> Rottweiler. No, I don't have "breed experience" except knowing 3-5 who were all teddy bears... and one who "chases" joggers (which is terrifying for them, and me a little)... This one, "Bella" is a "large marge" who likes "netflix and snacking."

I have been totally up front about never owning one... and about my goal being a mellow soul to stroll with me while my smalls (Decker, a 4.5yo Min Pin, and Ohna, a 12 yo Rat Terrier) jog along the trails we hike regularly. She is reportedly fine with dogs, kids, cats... but let's face it... and 11yo Rotti is - even if she's 9 or 12 - not going to be a longer than 5 year pal (and that's probably optimistic). Right?

I am still in the detail gathering phase - which is a wee bit challenging (I am sure the rescue is busy, this is not my first "rodeo" so I do understand)... She's going to be to a meet and greet in NH on Saturday, and I will be there. Two of my dog pals (one a pug friend from long long ago) as "local" - one with the jogger chaser - has even been to my home, the other might be assigned to do a home visit (I mean: why go see a dog if you're not an approved adopter, right?)... They have either Min Pins (2) or pug (1) with their respective Rotts (they each have one R). I also polled my local senior pug adopter about the heart/money thing...

So, if "Bella" is a mellow domesticated, and I do take her, I need to prepare for possible issues on stairs, in and out of car... and gut (cancer)... these are scenarios through which I am not going to make her (or myself) suffer through interminably... be it within months or years.

Am I crazy?
Are there specific questions rotti- or aging adoptee- related?? (I offered to foster her, thinking advantage was monetary... she reportedly HAS a foster... I have asked (as I said above) for some more details about her/report of findings from her fosterer, but none so far.. just her posting:
Rottweiler, Large Senior Female (spayed), Available for Adoption

Bella. 11. She’s perfection. Her hobbies include napping & *food* She’s a Netflix & chill kinda gal (& by chill I mean naps & snacks ). She’s a laid back large Marge whose looking for a retirement home where she can continue to pursue her life of very laid back leisure. Oh, & in case it isn’t obvious, she’s a total sweetheart. ❤️
More about Bella: Good with dogs, Good with kids, Good with adults: All, House trained, Spayed, Birth date: 7/2/2008 (not exact), Activity level: Slightly Active, Low energy level, Exercise needed: Low, Owner experience needed: Breed

I was assured in her case the breed experience is not a concern. (It was the first thing I mentioned as I approached the organization posting her - from whom my two Rotti owning friends got theirs, and for whom the one with a pug does pretty regular fostering of "the easy ones.")

ALL INPUT IS WELCOME. Thanks for listening.

[puglover22]

that's always a concern when you adopt a senior......how long will you have with them.....
my mom is on her 2nd senior, Frannie, after Paddy passed on. Yes it hurts when they run out of time, but it's such satisfaction to make their golden years great.
Paddy lasted 3.5 years, and Frannie is going on 3 years this December. I'm hoping she sticks around much longer, and I don't see why she wouldn't. She's getting excellent care and love.
The one thing you might want to lower your expectations about is the hiking. I know you and your pack take long hikes. I'm not sure a senior rottie would be able to keep up or walk that far without some trouble. You could always get a wagon to pull her in if she tires out. There is a lot to think about, and good for you to consider all this.

[ayleash]

The one thing you might want to lower your expectations about is the hiking. I know you and your pack take long hikes. I'm not sure a senior rottie would be able to keep up or walk that far without some trouble. You could always get a wagon to pull her in if she tires out. There is a lot to think about, and good for you to consider all this.

Good thought!
(Someone had mentioned the car in and out and while I HAVE a ramp (ever "at the ready" am I!), I have not had to schlepp it around everywhere!)

As for the "long" and "hikes" ... indeed, I'll have to listen hard to hear what the stamina is.. and I really ought to use the word "walk" for what I do - and it's not fast... I'm not "old" but I am "round" (rounder than I should be)... But, as you clearly point out, I won't be able to CARRY a Rotti back to the car! A cart is not impossible - I know they come that fold flat, etc... Thanks for the encouragement and the additional perspective...

Sidebar: y'know how they say, it's not the adoption fee (or the price) of the dog which is worth getting all upset about? How you are going to spend more on them (toys, beds, care, (FOOD!!!) etc.) than any old fee? Welllllll, some quotes of the "annual cost of owning a pet" are scary.. but if I consider that I may not have said pet for a full lifespan, I can pack all that expending into the few years that we DO have! (Oh dear, I worry myself some times!)

[puglover22]

Sidebar: y'know how they say, it's not the adoption fee (or the price) of the dog which is worth getting all upset about? How you are going to spend more on them (toys, beds, care, (FOOD!!!) etc.) than any old fee? Welllllll, some quotes of the "annual cost of owning a pet" are scary.. but if I consider that I may not have said pet for a full lifespan, I can pack all that expending into the few years that we DO have! (Oh dear, I worry myself some times!)

That's a good thought, but I've heard that with people, seniors in particular, their medical costs in the last couple years of their lives are much higher than their costs up to that point. I imagine it's similar with dogs.
You know your financial situation, you know if you can afford it. Another thought, maybe look into insurance, although I'm guessing for a senior, the cost may be prohibitive.

[LilyFayre]

If she is of a suitable temperament (and most Rottweillers are wonderful companions that are very gentle with smaller breeds) and you can financially afford the costs of owning a large breed dog then I'd say go with your instincts.

On a practical basis though, she is already a very good age for a large breed, so I think you'd need to be prepared for how you'll cope with door steps or stairs that she may not be able to negotiate and whether or not you can manage to get her in and out of a car if she needs lifting. It's mainly what made me decide not to have any more large breed dogs after Old Harvey passed as much as I still miss him.

[ayleash]

If she is of a suitable temperament (and most Rottweillers are wonderful companions that are very gentle with smaller breeds) and you can financially afford the costs of owning a large breed dog then I'd say go with your instincts.

On a practical basis though, she is already a very good age for a large breed, so I think you'd need to be prepared for how you'll cope with door steps or stairs that she may not be able to negotiate and whether or not you can manage to get her in and out of a car if she needs lifting. It's mainly what made me decide not to have any more large breed dogs after Old Harvey passed as much as I still miss him.

Yes, good points.. My "Ground floor" (what we in the USA call "first floor") is only one step up from the street and the same step up from where I park... the back YARD, however, where the smalls run, and I sit out.. is down (and therefore UP) 13 steps. I have a front yard where she could do her business.. and a porch where she could watch from... But that's not the IDEAL, right? And any home visitor will see that too, and there may be another interested party who steps up, after all.. who has a better setup. She needs and deserves the best they can find for her. I get that!

I am really going to have to see her - and grope her all over to try to feel/hear find out if anything seems amiss... and of course, listen "between the lines" of whatever they tell me... I know we can never predict how "it" will "go" in the end for our pets.

As I said above, I have a ramp for car entry and exits.. we shall "see" what I can learn. Thanks for ALL the ideas...

I didn't think I was going in "blind" but y'all have already pointed out a few things I hadn't thought of!

THANK YOU!

[ayleash]

Comforting, exciting update...
I spent an hour on the phone with a volunteer who had a list of questions... she's a rottie owner, but can't foster or take in more... she's in Maine (the organization Bella is with is in NH)... It was a good chat and we "stumbled" upon the fact that there IS actually a RAMP in my side yard, so access to the back yard for an older dog (if/when stairs become an issue) IS possible! I'd just have to retrain myself on the route! (Headslap!)

We ALSO uncovered the "timing" of the process, which is to say that I will be up to NH to meet Bella and her fosterer will be there, so I can meet, greet, hear, see, ask, think, but NOT be under the pressure to go home that moment with her, since the house visit will not have happened yet... and until that's done, the step of my dogs meeting Bella isn't logical. That takes a lot of pressure I had been putting on myself OFF!

IF I love B (and no one else is better for her already), we will proceed.. and if I am still not sure or am sure I am NOT for her, we can STILL proceed, just in case the "right" dog DOES come along... i.e. maybe a wee bit younger, but still mature and mellow. (My "old" pug pal who has a rottie has been fostering (and recently failed at fostering, by adopting) the "easier" rotties they have had. I might be able to be in that category!)

"My" volunteer will be checking references tomorrow and on the weekend... (and I'll go meet Bella!)

Thanks for listening. As always - any or all thoughts are welcome!

[Lu Ci and Ri Ki]

Sounds like events are happening in their perfect time. If it's meant to be it will all come together.

[ayleash]

Sounds like events are happening in their perfect time. If it's meant to be it will all come together.

I was really "in deep" planning how to bring my two terriers, with an expen since it will be a hot day, so they could be inside someplace at the petco where the meet and greet is, for the 2 hours! Now that pressure is off!

I am bringing along my folding camp chair, so I can "hang" with Bella.. I figure getting down on the floor might be "too much" for a pack of rotties who are unknown, and me getting up from that isn't pretty (but it IS possible* LOL). I am also bringing one of those "zoom groom" type gloves with little massaging fingers on its palm, because I expect we might become best buddies if I massage her!

Thanks all!

*Do you all know what BURPEEs are? It's an exercise move wherein you are standing, lean over get down on the ground prone or into push up position - even the "up" part of the push up, and then you stand full tall again.. Wellll... I can do them, but not fast and not pretty.. but being able to get up from ANY floor position is used more and more these days as a measure of "aging" (of strength, balance, and ability).... 'just sayin'! :)

[Shannon C]

Just got to reading this post! I think you are great for considering this and being very smart about it. I think in the end when you meet her you will know. What’s meant to be is what it will be. Good luck!