15/09/2025
This week is Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week, when rescue organisations shine a spotlight on those dogs that often get overlooked. It's a good opportunity to think about the question: Why do you want to rescue? Is it because you don’t want a young puppy, and would rather have a dog that’s already had some training and will fit with your lifestyle? Or is it to help dogs that really need your support?
We have all sorts of dogs available for adoption at Spaniel Aid, and it won’t surprise you to know that we have quickly and easily found some great homes for the puppies that recently came into our care. Young dogs between 2 and 5 with no issues also have no difficulty finding a home, and there is a lot of competition to adopt them. We have some dogs with behaviour issues that are looking for experienced homes, and we understand that they may take longer to place.
But we have other dogs without significant issues that are really struggling to find a new family, and yes, several of them are in their later years. So we had a chat with two of our experienced fosterers, Jenny and Dave King, to find out more about what these dogs have to offer.
Q. You have a special fondness for the oldies, how many older dogs have you fostered or adopted?
A. 33 altogether. Many of them have gone on to lovely new homes, but, some of them have stayed with us, as we didn’t feel they would cope with moving again. We have 5 Long Term Foster dogs with us at the moment that will stay with us for life, with Spaniel Aid’s support.
Q. So what’s the attraction to you of these older dogs?
A. Our first dog from Spaniel Aid was a 10 year old springer who was blind in one eye. We adopted him in 2016, but unfortunately his kidneys gave out very unexpectedly and he died 3 weeks later. We took him on because he fitted in with our own springers who were 7 & 8 years old. Our first foster was a 6 month old ginger cocker who we chose because she was only about half an hour away. She stayed about 6 weeks and led us and our 2 springers a merry dance. She was definitely a revelation, and we both said NEVER AGAIN. Hence the move to the safer oldies. All our oldies have had wonderful characters and little quirks. Not a day goes by when we haven’t laughed at something one of them has done. They are always a privilege and a joy.
Q. Don’t they have a lot of medical need and require a lot of care and attention?
A. Sometimes, but not always. The majority of the time it is either a tablet or eye drops or, in the case of Beauty, bathing with special shampoo on alternate days. Nothing has ever been an onerous task – tablets in cocktail sausages, bits of ham, and, if all else fails, the jam butty. Sometimes medical conditions need further investigation and Spaniel Aid has been very supportive. We focus on making their life as comfortable as possible.
Q. Isn’t it boring going for a walk with an older dog?
A. No it is not. They bumble along happily sniffing away and won’t be hurried. You tend to be more relaxed because they never stray far from you, so you are not on tenterhooks, wondering where they are and if they will come back. Our lot rarely even break into a run, so it’s very enjoyable going for a stroll with them. Secure fields are a wonderful way of allowing an older dog, who may be deaf or blind, to run freely without any danger - especially if you have multiple oldies with different abilities. It’s also an effective way of observing an older dog to check for any obvious frailties or weakness.
Q. Aren’t you afraid you won’t have them for very long?
A. No, death is a fact of life and age doesn’t come into it. I have heard of puppies who have died suddenly. When you foster or adopt an older dog it is all about their quality of life. Inevitably you know when the time has come to let them go on their final journey. Then you have the privilege of being with them as they die. Yes, it is always sad and they leave a gaping hole in your life, but they never really leave because they always have a place in your heart. You remember all those little quirks that made you smile. ‘Never forget that between Hello and Goodbye, there was love. So much love.’
Q. What’s your advice to anyone considering adopting an older dog?
A. Be prepared. Read the write up and research any medical problems that might be mentioned so that you have a reasonable idea what to expect. Make copious notes when you take them to the vets for the first time. Just as with a puppy, NEVER assume that they are actually house trained – alert your mop and buy some giant kitchen roll. Where you can, ask that they come with something that is theirs – bed, blanket, toys. This will help them settle in. Read the settling advice sent with all Spaniel Aid dogs, and understand that older dogs may take longer to recover from a move than adaptable young puppies. Think about how you can help them if they have hearing or sight loss, or missing teeth. Over the years we have honed our home to accommodate dogs with a variety of needs. No one thing fits all dogs. Above all, take it at their pace, follow their lead, and enjoy their company. They have so much to give.
