Taking in neighbors dog

[Anonymous]

We have an elderly neighbor with cognitive decline dementia. She has a small dog that over the past few years I’ve found a dozen times when she leaves the door open. The dog will come to me when I call her name, lets me pick her up and likes my dogs. I met her adult son a year or two ago and we let him know if in the future she couldn’t care for her, we would take her and she could visit.

Her son knocked on my door today and asked if we could take the dog. He is moving his mother into memory care as she can’t safely stay alone anymore. He warned that the dog might be skittish around new people. He brought the dog over. She seemed extremely happy. Played with my dogs throughout the house and backyard. Jumped into my 18 year old daughter’s lap. Tails wagging, everyone happy so I said sure and he is going to bring her over on Saturday when he moves his mother out. He is bringing all the vet paperwork etc. The dog is 12-14 years old Pomeranian mix, I have 2 corgis. DD is thrilled. DH is a dog crazy person so he’s fine with it.

What am I likely to run into or not considering here? Will the dog become depressed when it doesn’t go home to its owner? It’s a very lively and peppy older dog. My dogs are adults but younger 3 and 5.

[Anonymous]

You are a good person OP. I bet the family is so grateful for you knowing the dog is taken care of. We inherited my parents' dogs and I hate it.

[Anonymous]

What a nice thing to do!

[Anonymous]

Aw, it sounds like the perfect fit, OP! What a blessing. All too often, elderly people's pets end up in shelters, at an advanced age. Thank you for taking her in. I don't think she'll become depressed. My best friend just took in her MIL's dog for the same reason, and the dog has never seemed to miss her previous life. She's seen her former owner many times on visits, but she seems happy at my friend's house.

[Anonymous]

^ and by the way, corgis and pom mix? Dream team!

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you have already set up a great foundation for success. You and your family are amazing and what a blessing you are to your neighbor.

[Anonymous]

I don't know the answer to your questions, but thank you for being so kind.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for taking the little dog. I wouldn't worry about her mourning her past home. We adopted a Border collie whose foster had to leave town to help his aging parents, and he adjusted immediately.

Have fun with your new pup!

[Anonymous]

In my experience of dog sitting older dogs, dogs will get a bit sad after about a week, week and a half, missing their person/people, and then they perk back up and rally.

Just keep in mind if you lose this dog, check next door first - she may have tried to go "home."

[Anonymous]

Thank you for doing this. READING YOUR POST MADE MY WEEK! 🌹

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for doing this. READING YOUR POST MADE MY WEEK! 🌹

+1

<3

[Anonymous]

OP this is lovely of you. Do you have the son's contact info if the neighbor asks to see the dog for a visit later?

Most rescue dogs are supposed to be sent back to their rescue organization, if the person who adopted them is unable to take care of them. At age 12-14 I wouldn't worry about this too much.

I would call the dog's vet (or ask the son to call them) to set up a check-up visit, especially if you have a different vet, and want to transfer the dog to your vet later on.

[Anonymous]

I would and once a month bring the dog to the neighbor if she’s local.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP this is lovely of you. Do you have the son's contact info if the neighbor asks to see the dog for a visit later?

Most rescue dogs are supposed to be sent back to their rescue organization, if the person who adopted them is unable to take care of them. At age 12-14 I wouldn't worry about this too much.

I would call the dog's vet (or ask the son to call them) to set up a check-up visit, especially if you have a different vet, and want to transfer the dog to your vet later on.

Properly rehoming a dog to a good home is taking care of them. No rescue would argue about this.

+1 to asking current owner (or their caregiver) to authorize release of records from the dog's last vet, and +1 to taking the dog to your vet for a preliminary check-in visit for baseline info, any vax that may be overdue, and a parasite screening. Consider quarantining the new dog until you know it's not carrying anything you don't want your dogs to share, especially since you regularly found it outside unattended. You'll also need to transfer its license or file for a new one.

[Anonymous]

If the dog is chipped, you'll want to transfer that registration, too. Unless the previous vet has the chip info, you might be better served to just get a new one done.

I doubt the little buddy will have any lingering sadness, though it may try to go "home" for a bit until it settles in. Sounds like there was some unfortunate neglect. Glad the son found the dog a new home, and kudos to you for welcoming in the new friend.