When is the right time to get a rescue dog?

Question

My husband and I are putting our house on the market for selling and moving to another house, 3 weeks ago I had to have my 12 year old German Shepherd Dog put to sleep, I had her 10 years and I am still grieving over her, dearly missed, but I long to have another rescue GSD, should I wait until we move, or get one now? I appreciate any help and advice you can give me.

Answer 1

Tough call, and at the end of the day it's your decision. (Really pleased that you want to rescue again, though.)

Personally I'd wait. Moving house can be stressful for both you and the dog. Christmas isn't far away either and that can also be a confusing time for any dog. Those things, combined with the fact you are still grieving over the loss of your other dog says to me that you have a lot on your plate as it is.

Once you have settled into your new home, or at least once Christmas is out of the way would probably be a better time.

It's obvious from what you've posted that you really loved your other GSD, you'll be great owners for the next dog you have.

It might be worth having a word with the people at rescue to discuss it with them.

Answer 2

A year ago I would have said wait until you move but the real estate market was HOT. Now....over the past 2 months, the median price of houses sold has dropped nearly 13% and the current number of houses on the market is about 68% more than last year and if nothing came on the market right now, it would still take close to 8 months to sell everything out there. (I have a real estate related business and follow it very closely.)

Given the realities of the market, I don't see you moving in the next 2-4 months and it could easily be another 12 -16 months (and realtors NEVER admit what is happening in the market - according to them everything is great - uh huh.)

In that case, I see no reason not to start the adoption process. It may be that the right dog for you is not in rescue at this time and it may take a while to find him/her.

If you get lucky and move your house, the dog won't mind moving houses if you don't mind packing the food, toys and bed.

Here is the GSD rescue with the regional contacts run by the National Breed Club for GSDs

http://www.agsra.com/regional_contacts.htm

FInd more here:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm

Scroll down to GSD

Answer 3

Check with GSD rescue in your area and the Humane Society. Find a GSD that would be right for you and make sure you are the right parents for it too. I have a feeling that this will determine the right time frame for you. The approval process can take time with some groups. Many rescues come with emotional baggage and too many changes and strangers in a home can be quite overwhelming at a critical bonding time for you. In your desire to soften your own sorrow you might unwhittingly restimulate emotions in the dog that go with abandonment and the anxioty that your home is in transition and is only temporary - again. If you find the right GSD, explain your cercomstances and see if the foster home would be willing to keep the dog until you move to your new home and maybe you could schedule visits to help the dog become more familiar with you prior to the move.

Many people get discouraged during the adoption process, particularly if the family is turned down. These organizations try to make sure that the next home a dog goes to will be a forever home and that a good match has been made, especially if the dog has special needs like no kids, fenced yard, etc.

The void in your heart comes through in your question, take some time and find the GSD that you know has been waiting to find you! Thank you for supporting rescue.

Answer 4

If your house is only just going on the market then realistically youre looking at, at least 6-8 weeks before you move. If you feel ready the rescue another GSD now. You'll have a period of time in your old house together then be able to start a new life in the new house. Just make sure if yo do rescue a GSD now you have a plan for where he or she will be when viewers come round ( u dont want to overload him or her with lots of people if s/he has been treated badly in the past) if you know the dogs background then this is irrelevent i guess. Good luck... sounds like you have a lovely home waiting for a needy GSD. Also if you do get one before you move make sure u have a special bed or blanket for him or her and take it to the new house so they can associate something from the old place.

Answer 5

Wait until you are setteled in your new home, make sre you are well and truly setteled in, no sudden changes of room use, or new furniture apperaing od old bit's vanishing. This creates a stable physical environment for a dog... it will know whats what and where by site and smell... so best not introduce a probably nervous dog into a non stable physical environment.

Once you are in and happy, pica a set date about 30 days into the future and fix that as the day you will start looking for a dog, then I guess you need to choose a dog that will fit in your new home... My parents have a rescue Lurcher, they though long and hard about rooms, garden size, location of walks and so on, and chose a dog that would fit easliy into thier life... It sounds a little arrogant, but a misplaced dog will become a pest, and will feel out of place in it's self

I know you will be upset about the passing of your last dog, so as time passes while you settle in to your new home, use that time for grieving the loss, and look forward to the day you feel ready to start the 30 day countdown and then look forward to it for the 30 days (thinking time) and go to the rescue centre.

I suggest a time when there will be no one but your husband and you home (unless you have kids who live at home) and introduce your dog then.... into a quiet stable well prepaired and loving home

Answer 6

I am very sorry for your loss. I lost two in as many years. I went out and got another dog as soon as two weeks later. However each person is different and I am a Cocker Spaniel guy. I have gotten all but one in the past 32 plus years from the pound. As I am getting older it is becoming very hard for me to let go. So I told my wife there will be no more after these last two are gone. Each one of our loved ones are different and I have always tried not to look for the same things in the new dog as the old. That seemed to help the family with the new dog. The family treated the new dog different than the old dog. We always miss our beloved pet but the new one took over and did what we wanted him to do. Make missing our beloved easyer. I would go out as soon as you feel up to it and get another dog. If your old dog was still with you he would have moved with you. So why wait if your going to get another dog anyway...Good luck ...

Answer 7

I would wait until you have moved to your new house, rescue dogs can get a bit confused moving from one place to another as it is and just as it gets used to the house you live in now it will have to start all over again and it might knock it back with worry and fretting again, sorry you lost your dog and it must be so hard for you, but hopefully you'll be in your new home soon with another beautiful dog to love, good luck.

Answer 8

I would wait a while until you are done grieving. Two years ago I had to have my 9 yr old Golden Retriever euthanized because he could not walk anymore. I got another puppy immediately after that and it was a mistake because you expect the puppy to be like the other dog. It was tough adapting to the new puppy's personality because he is more rough, aggressive, and hyper. I spent many nights crying. I would wait if I were you.

Answer 9

Wait until you move and are settled-then get another furbaby. That way you can devot the time needed to the dog.Put a call into the GSD Rescue and let them know what you will be looking for and they can get things started. Good luck!

Answer 10

First of all you have to stop feeling bad for your other dog tha passed away or your new dog will get feel you that and act like a bad dog even if he's good. You must also make sure you walk him EVERY single day or he will take out his energy on furniture or things in your house. I hope this helps.