A quick question: we are thinking (just thinking) about helping my husbands parents to find a dog.   I think a slightly older dog that would age gently with them could be an option

Do we need to look in an area local to them, for home assessments/visits?  If so, as above, do you know any ?  (Other than the Dogs Trust which I already know)

If we are going to be supporting them with the dog (with vets bills, training advice and help, ordering food and, longer term, a home with us should it become necessary) will an older couple be considered do you think?

As my f-i-l has dementia (fairly mild at the moment) and mobility issues he won't be coming to look - will that be a problem?

My m-i-l is young for her age, very active and still looks after my three dogs when we we are away.  She'd happily walk several miles twice a day given half a chance so I have no doubt about her abilities - just cautious about how they, as a couple, might look on paper as it were...

If it's going to prove a problem I don't mind lending them my lovely older boy for short holidays but I couldn't think of letting him go for longer.  Although if I'm honest he'd be perfect for them, and they'd really like him or one just like him.  I'm slightly mindful that my f-i-l could deteriorate quite rapidly and his behavioural changes may be difficult for a dog to cope with unless he and the dog already know each other quite well. 

As I say we are just musing about it, after a request from my m-i-l, and I'd appreciate your thoughts :)

My mum has mild dementia (diagnosed vascular dementia, but with some added pre existing anxiety issues that complicate things and exacerbate her illness), but having been a lifelong dog lover, my dogs are a huge bonus in her life, not to mention stress reliever for both of us! It is hard work being a full time carer for someone with such an illness, I couldn't do it without my dogs. Even though their life is not ideal at the moment (can't leave mother on her own to walk them as much as I would like).

dogpages.org.uk
and
dogrescueworld.org.uk
for listings of rescues all over the UK.

Please update if you do find one, I am always in awe how dogs help people so much. For every registered PAT of Therapy/assistance dog there is probably 50 more in private homes doing sterling work just being there and asking for a tummy rub now and then.

I took on a lab who was about 9 at the time.  She had been a brood bitch for a puppy farm and was given to lab rescue when she was no longer making a profit!  They rehomed her with a elderly couple, he had dementia and the dog was really for him to help keep him in the present.  When he passed away the lady had to have a hip replacement and ended up rehoming the dog to us via a friend as she could not exercise her etc.  So I am pretty sure that they would not turn your inlaws away.

Look on the oldies club website as they rehome older dogs nationwide and don't discriminate on a persons age.

Also these older dogs would probably suit your family circumstances better.

A few years ago we had a similar situation. My mother in law wanted a dog (to replace her oldie that had died), but she is disabled and cannot walk a dog. However she lives with us in a granny flat and we would be responsible for everything -but the dog would not mix/live with ours. No way was any rescue going to accept this so we simply went to the local council stray kennels. They don't rehome dogs, they simply sell them to anyone who wants one. No home checks. I would imagine most council stray kennels are the same as they are not in a business to rescue dogs, they are just keeping strays off the streets. The dogs get 7 days to either find their owner or a new home so the stray kennels also have the most needy dogs as they are at such a high risk of being put to sleep. On the negative side there will be no background on the dogs. We found a lovely gentle Labrador bitch.

I've decided to lend them my oldest whiskery boy for a couple of weeks to see how they get on, and to give us all some thinking time.  My big teenage son has reminded me to tell his Grandma that his beloved dog is only on loan and we're coming to get him in two weeks, ready or not!!