Last of the queen's corgis

So sad hearing that the last corgi that was so loved by our Queen has had to be put to sleep.This particular corgi`s pedigree held special significance to the Queen, which goes back to her teens,so naturally,understandably she is deeply upset.
She had said she would not allow herself further corgis for fearing the young ones could trip her up.........which is certainly a valid point.

I believe she still has 2 dorgies........half corgi,half dachshund....plus caring for one corgi left when its owner died.

It is such a painful and costly business those end years of a beloved pets life...........much as you have mentioned.

As to your situation and question Babsann.

I have had dogs for practically the whole of my life,they have been the children I never had, and indeed, just like butter on my bread,quite indispensable.
However on losing our last little chap a few years ago, we decided..... through our bitter heartache, this must be an end to a long era of dog worshipping.
We are both heading towards 80 and in poor health and on that basis,knowing full well we would not be around to totally care for them,especially in their more needful years...... as they need and deserve .....at some point in their lives we felt we must put our love affair and desperation for another loyal companion to the side.
It has been heart breaking to say the least and our hearts bleed on seeing any dog playing outside or going walkies.............however we had thought long and hard about all this as the end approached, and though it causes us much inner hurt, we know we have done the right thing for the dog.
But of course, it is a case of each to his own and I am sure you will reach the right conclusion.

It is even harder if a person lives alone , who else does one say 'good morning ' and 'good night' to, who else is there to reach out and touch .

panache The Dogs Trust need foster homes . Have you looked into this?
I have a regular newsletter and they asked for temporary homes and explained the procedure.
I'd hope that a wealth of doggie experience would be just what they are looking for and need in a foster home.

gmelon....Now that is indeed worthy of a thought and perhaps answers your need also Anniebach...........though with our home "on the market" soon and hopefully selling up/moving on the cards we dare do nothing positive as yet.
However I am much appreciative of your kind advice and that will be followed up when the time is right.
Thank you.

On a light note, I have just been offered two geese ! They would please the neighbours ? nasty creatures, geese not neighbours

the Cat Protection League also fosters out cats and will allow you to home as many as you and the CPL can agree with. If I outlive Tara I would hate another cat to have to go to yet another home and I would certainly look into fostering a cat or cats. I think that the CPL pay vet fees which would be a bonus.

I feel guilty not fostering but the thought of handing them back ?

They are indeed Anniebach,as children we had to run the gauntlet when we visited a friends farm , no need for guard dogs!

We had geese once Annie. They were horrid, honking, hissing and biting, and I was the one who fed them.

Lottie wouldn't venture into the garden, neither would I

We foster for Cats Protection. We have a run in the garden supplied and installed by CP. They provide food, litter, vets feed, meds and advice. We pay for electric heat at night when very cold. Some fosterers have cats in a room in their house.

It's so rewarding, getting the cats in great health, getting them used to cuddles and fuss. Yes you say goodbye eventually. You have final say as to whether you are happy with the adopter. I really recommend it.

We help with some fund raising events too, and we all have social get together. We meet some lovely people.

I meant to say, I'm very sad for the Queen, end of an era for her.

I have a cousin who got her present dog through an animal shelter that promise to re-house pets if elderly owners no longer can keep them.

Might that be an idea when your Mum looses her present cat?

Anniebach our local distillery used Geese instead of watchdogs for decades .They certainly kept the bad boys out ..lol.Sometimes unless they were rounded up they kept the workers out too.

We have just rehomed 2 foster cats aged 13 and 14 to a lovely lady. The cats had had a thorough health check and dental, 2 teeth out each. I never thought people would take on cats of that age, but it suits some. Lucky cats.

I’ve recently got a new puppy and I’m 73. I live alone and cannot bear to live without a dog. I hope that family or a friend would take her over if she outlives me but all those healthy walks should keep me going and I’ll make sure she is trained to be polite and well-behaved so not difficult to rehome.
Cats are much easier but never the companions which dogs are.

Panache don't miss out on that companionship and love from a pet, find a way, either foster or petsit, look for a company that needs pet sitters probably in your own home, they may not be yours but you obviously have a lot of love to give without the long term commitment so you wouldn't be letting the animal down

What puppy do you have watermeadow ?

Menopaws, I thought of fostering and yes they bring companionship but I would miss that bond , knowing I have to give them back. Thankfully not everyone is as selfish as me

You have me thinking folks ........so thanks a lot for your understanding of my predicament, but for also showing me ............there is ALWAYS a way...........Watch this space, although I have a few nasty ops to recover from first!!!