Sorry I don't agree, older people say over 75 should not get young dogs, it's not fair on the dogs if the owner dies and also they need lots of exercise. There are plenty of older dogs out there crying out for homes and jj I'm in my 50's, but don't know why that's relevant!
Oh and the older dogs in rescue are usually the ones whose loving owners have died and left them and the poor bewildered things don't know what's happened - so sad !
I have to agree with chaptaz. In 10 years time jj might not be able or wanting to walk a dog in wind and rain and snow and heat 2-3 times a day but you can bet your last dollar that the dog will be up for it. Nobody is saying that an older person shouldn't have a dog, but an older dog would be more suitable for an older person. One rescue I know had an 86 year old woman wanted to adopt a new puppy. Thank goodness they refused (lucky puppy). Those poor dogs in the link have come from a puppy farm and won't have been house trained or socialised. They will be hard work jj. Be prepared to put that work in.
BTW I'm not suggesting you are 86 years old:-)
It was bucketing down on me so I had just gone down to see her only but did see an elderly gentleman trying to walk a lovely JR but the wee thing didn't want to walk any more.
Just for information, there is a charity called The Cinnamon Trust ( named after a pet dog). They have volunteers who will take over dog walking when owner is unable through I'll health or age, organise fostering for hospital stays and look after cats and dogs in their sanctuaries when an owner has passed away. Great charity based in Hayle , Cornwall. My daughter walked a dog for an elderly lady near us until the dog died and we carried on visiting the lady. Check out their website.
Thanks roopower - my visitor who was here a cuppla weeks ago did tell me about the Cinnamon Trust however, can't find anything in Belfast or Northern Ireland.