Here is a topic for discussion that was inspired by real-life events.
Two couples are both interested in a big, active dog at the shelter.
One couple is older. They own their home. Property is at least several acres, but unfenced. Husband is retired and home most days, puttering in garden and with hobbies. Wife works 30 or so hours a week. They formerly owned another big, active dog, who recently died of old age. They have a 2-year-old small dog who misses having canine company. They have a trainer who they have worked with previously and plan to do so again.
Second candidate couple is young, early 20s. They are renters. They also live on several acres, but their home property is fenced. They have another big, young, active dog, a female. They both work.
My bias in placing the dog was toward the older couple. While it’s true that they lacked a fenced yard for the dog, the fact that they own their home reassures me that they won’t be at the mercy of future landlords if they have to move for whatever reason. They also have the financial wherewithal to provide the dog with whatever medical or behavioral interventions he is likely to need. A week in training? Knee or hip surgery? Wouldn’t be a problem for these people.
Staff at the shelter was biased in favor of the young couple. The fact that their property was fenced, their youth, and that they were already dealing with a big, active dog made them seem more equipped to deal with the dog’s perceived need for activity.
I’m just curious: Where would most people, or most shelter staffers, end up placing a dog like this?
I am older, but retired, had labs or labs mixes my whole live. lost my last lab, at 12 1/2, after spending a fair chunk of cash keeping her alive and happy for two extra years. Finally had to let her go. wanted to downsize from mid sixties weight to 30 40 pounds. I own my home, feed top quality raw diet, and always travel everywhere with my dog. Early in day to avoid heat, I know the shady spaces to park, she is never alone. I own many acres of property, fenced huge yard, plus live at the beach, good for long walks. searched for ages for a smaller lab like dog, found one, and was turned down. the gal who ran the shelter would not even respond to my emails, and no phone listed. dog was on the sight for over a month before she was adopted. tried again, similar circumstances, same results. I am a great and experienced dog mom. Not fair!! Age discrimination!
Mallory, are you currently looking for a dog?
Hy husband and I are both retired, have a fenced 1/2 acre yard that backs up to 100s of acres of open space and walking trails. We never leave our dogs alone for more than a few hours and always indoors. We walk them on the trails and they are in the yard with us when we are gardening or relaxing, then they come in with us. We just lost one of our two dogs and were looking to adopt a rescue. One question they always asked was what plans we had for the dog’s care if we could no longer care for it. In other words, If you die or go to a nursing home. Our answer is that we’ve made arrangements for one of our daughters to take our pets. Regardless, we just didn’t make the cut. I do believe there is some age discrimination going on–especially with some of the private rescue groups. Don’t give up. We finally found on at our local humane society–we were the first ones to meet him after his picture was posted on their website.
I live in MN and would love to find a life like you describe for my daughter’s dog. My daughter is 19. She moved out of the house and finally came to terms with the fact that she isn’t going to be able to provide the home her dog needs. The dog (3 years old) remains here at our family home and gets very little attention.
I’ve had a rescue deny me a dog because I only had a 4 ft fence and gasp- I let my dogs use the yard unsupervised. Yep, open the door and just let them go out. I go with not enough info. Do the resident dog(s) get along with the potential new dog? Does the older couple just let the dogs run at will? Anyone watch how both couple actually interact with the dog? But the older couple does have the time and probably more money so with the other questions answered I’d lean toward the older couple
Older couple. They’ve done this. They know what the requirements are and may be. What if the dog damages the rental property or the young couple has to move? Big potential to have the dog returned or worse.
Simple, never adopt out into a situation where the dog will be left alone all day for 5 days a week.
So the older couple would have it I guess provided the Dogs would get along.
Definitely the older couple. Stable environment
We are in a pandemic and we have no idea what it is going to be like afterwards. We are only adopting to humans who will likely be able to weather this storm and keep the pet. The older couple wins as long as the big dog is good with a small dog.
I agree with most here and would choose the older couple. The un-fenced in yard is a non-issue for me….They obviously have and are walking there dogs, which is how people without fenced yards operate. They are much less likely to just put their dogs out and ignore them. AND, #1, they already have a trusted trainer…That’s so important!. Older couple for sure!!
Definitely lean toward the older couple who are able to be present and own their property!
I am struck by the lack of information about the DOG. I have been doing rescue for more than 20 years. You can’t just say “It’s a big dog” and think that provides enough information. The key is the temperament match. Who is the dog, is it anxious, how will it be without people interaction all day, how does. it get along with other dogs? What is the dog’s health, what is the dog’s activity level?
Another variable is whether the second couple is married. How long have they been together? What is their activity level? What do they spend their time doing when they are away from work? What has been their prior dog experience?
And then of course, what is the chemistry between the different couples and the dog.
There is lots more to this equation that is in the information you have provided. My concern is that your article is not representing what professional rescue does in making matches.
Yes, exactly.
Yes! All of this 100%.
Please let the dog weigh in! Who does he like? And what about the dog already in the household? Lots of chemistry to consider. I tend toward the older couple, though, just because dog ownership in a young household is dicey, given all the possible changes mentioned in earlier comments. Middle age and beyond provide the stable life for adopting a dog.