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From commentor Ruckus:
Some of you may remember that I had to close my business. This caused a loss of living arrangements so I have moved in with friends in southern calif for now but there really is no way I can keep my rescue cocker spaniel, Bud. There just is no good way for him to be here, from the standpoint of both facilities and friends. Also he does not like being without human contact for more than 2-3 hours so even if I find a job, I can’t be gone that long. And that won’t help my needs, like eating and such.
So anyone know of a rescue service or someone in so cal who might want a 12-14 yr old almost deaf cocker with issues? He takes medication 3 times a day, for thyroid(twice) and liver(once). He can be a good companion for the right person, he has been for me. When I had the business he would follow me from room to room and lay down close to me. Even if he was sleeping, when I moved, he moved. He has a most interesting personality to say the least. Sort of stubborn, much more so than his owner. I believe he must have been the alpha in whatever relationship he was in before I got him. I have sort of worked that out of him. He is the most difficult dog I’ve ever known but by far the most interesting to live with. He probably would do best in a home with one or two adults and I probably would not put him in a home with kids under 15-16.
I really don’t want to give him up but in my life I very seldom get what I want. And only occasionally what I need.
Anybody have experience with rescue groups, particularly cocker breed rescue or older-dog groups, in the area? If you have any suggestions or leads, and you don’t want to comment here, contact me at AnneLaurie @ verizon.net (click on my name, to the right) and I will put you in touch with Ruckus directly.
The Populist
I wish I could take him. I have 2 cockers as it is, both getting up there in age.
So sad.
Mnemosyne
I don’t have personal experience with either of these groups, but teh magic Google found a couple of So Cal options (with Santa Barbara obviously being the northernmost part of So Cal):
Second Chance Cocker Rescue
Camp Cocker
pragmatism
i’ll fwd this link to the rescue peoples i know in san diego county…..
Ruckus
@Mnemosyne:
Thank you.
I already talked to Second Chance and they are full up.
I’m really just trying to work any and all the angles I can at this point.
It was real nice of Anne to post this for me, she read one of my comments the other day and suggested a front page post might get better results.
Dee Loralei
Such a sad story Ruckus. I really hope you can find him a home. I’m so sorry.
jenn
Oh, I’m so sorry. Poor sweetie. I’m afraid I’m full up on dogs – I wish I could help! Give him some extra scritches from me – and take care of yourself, too!
Michele C.
@Mnemosyne: I have donated money to Camp Cocker because of the wonderful work they were doing with rehabbing a severely injured Cocker. They really were very professional.
Here are a bunch more links, some just with phone numbers from the Oldies But Goodies website: http://www.cockerspanielrescue.com/info/links.htm I have a kind of link to them, but it’s really old.
I’m really out of touch with the Cocker people, but I’m willing to help with phone calls or e-mails or whatever it takes.
Mnemosyne
@Ruckus:
Do you think you would be able to keep Bud for a few more weeks or is it urgent that you find him a new living space ASAP? Sometimes rescue groups are willing to list your animal with theirs, let you show him/her at adoption fairs etc. as part of their group if you can essentially be the fosterer on their behalf.
ETA: Also, too, I think our own ABL2.0 has some rescue connections here in So Cal — you may want to e-mail her directly and see if she has any suggestions in case she misses this thread.
ABL
Camp Cocker is the big one that I know. I’ll email some people, too. What a cute face!
Southern Beale
God I’m sorry. I hate stories like this. Surely there’s another solution? A friend or neighbor who can be dog sitter or something? It sounds like you need Bud as much as Bud needs you. Surely there’s another way?
kc
What a sad story. Sorry, Ruckus.
I love the face on that dog. Looks like a grouchy ol’ man. I hope you can find a good home for him.
Forum Transmitted Disease
These diaries are always hard for me, but this one is in particular. I love old animals. They deserve the best after a lifetime of service (and far too often, abuse). He is beautiful, and I live in the right locale…but I can’t take him. I’ve got a 14-year old lab that isn’t going to be around much longer, and I work 11 hour days and just found out that number’s going to be going up, not down. Lucky me.
Anyway, this is a heartbreaker and I hope to God someone can get him a nice home for his last few. One look at that face tells me he deserves it, he’s obviously been through a little too much.
God help us all, men and creatures alike. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
CatHairEverywhere
It’s a little north of where you are, but perhaps try Alpha Canine in Bakersfield:
http://www.alphacanine.org/
wonkie
Try contacting Senior Centers, care provider agencies, Area Agency on the Aging etc to find a retired person who would like a dog.
Good luck,. I live in Washington state and thus are too far to be of much help. However I am invovled in dog rescue ad we place old dogs with old people reglualry. So any outreach you can do to groups of older people…
wonkie
If you haved the time, post him on Petfinder and specify that you are looking for a older adopter.
kate
Hey maybe ABL can adopt him. The pics on her post of her curent dog remind me of this dog and she is in SO Cal???
Mnemosyne
Also, maybe contact the local SPCA and see if they have a “Seniors for Seniors” type of program? I know that the Pasadena SPCA has one. Like every shelter, they’re probably too overcrowded to actually house him, but they may be able to give you some leads.
the fugitive uterus
please let us raise some money if we need to!
the fugitive uterus
i just want to hug him :(
Kifaru1
I deal with basset rescue, however all you need is to get the word out to ANY cocker spaniel rescue. We have had senior bassets transported to Maryland from Texas and Illinois ….they set up a run and ask people to fill a leg at a time with a few overnights. It works: ask a few bassets at The House of Puddles in MD:) Good luck! I already have a 14+ yr lab and a 10+ rescue basset with a double heart murmur and an attitude!
Ruckus
@kc:
Grouchy old man. So you’ve met Bud.
Actually mostly it’s just that he is set in his ways, being even older than his feeder.
I appreciate all the possible answers and folks emailing for possible solutions.
Some one asked if there is no way to keep him. I wish there was. Right now he’s bugging me loudly to feed him but he still is my favorite dog of my life. He’s ornery, cantankerous, annoying, but… he’s my dog. All the rest have been dogs, good ones, OK ones, and one sheperd who was so stupid that her mom(a great dog) would just shake her head and walk away. I understand what John has in Lily. This guy is not Lily. He barely tolerates me petting him at all. But still he is my dog. I have used almost all my swear words towards him at one time or another and I was a sailor so I know from swearing. So no I don’t want to give him up, I just don’t see any other choice.
Thanks everyone.