I hope to have my horse for years yet, but this scenario has already crossed my mind 
Nothing is going to hold a candle to him
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Beautiful Dog!! Looks a lot like my last girl.
My current one is also Czech lines and has mellowed into a
fairly quiet temperament.
I was told by experienced GSD people
that females were much easier
to handle, so I’ve always looked
for females.
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What a beautiful dog! I am so sorry you and your mother are going through this. It is so hard. Take care the both of you and let us know if she decides to get another dog.
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Without a doubt, we have four females altogether and all in all they are really quite simple. Nova was born perfect, the other three took about two years each LOL but basic obedience and daily consistency is really all they needed.
She’s our dog of a lifetime. She’s older now so we don’t take any day with her for granted. I tried to get as many puppies under her as humanely possible. She made it quite clear with the last one that she had put in her time
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Sounds like she’s earned that right. Give her a hug for me. A barnmate’s 3yo goes out with my horse and when we introduced them, my horse looked back at me like, “You’re joking, right? Do I look like I babysit?”
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I adopted an older (10) cat from a shelter.
Same shelter has older dogs, part of their Seniors for Seniors program.
Free adoptions to those over 55 include neutering, health checks (FeLu & FIV for cats) & microchip.
I may outlive this cat, but at least he’ll have a home instead of a shelter for his last years.
A friend donates to a couple who adopt senior dogs, so they’re out there.
Would your Mom be willing to get an older dog, possibly with health issues?
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How about the Mr Mo project? I have a friend that has gotten several dogs through them.
RESCUING SENIOR DOGS
Nationwide
Senior dogs deserve the best for the rest of their lives. The Mr. Mo Project saves senior dogs nationwide from living in shelters, or worse, being euthanized. We believe that senior dogs deserve homes too!
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I agree with this.
At the age of 82 falls can be a real concern. Even if she is living on her own and healthy and active now one fall from getting knocked over/tripping over a young/large dog could easily be the end of her independence.
She’s telling you (OP) this will be her last dog. Maybe she has reasons other than what she’s told you as to why she feels this way? Please don’t try and convince her she needs a dog, she needs to make this decision on her own. I’m assuming she drives since she lives on her own. Is there a shelter near by that she could volunteer at? Just petting and socializing with dogs (or cats! Never say never) and maybe from there fostering
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I was going to suggest a retired racer, beautiful dogs, very affectionate, they love just to hang around with their owner. Very quirky and funny too. Plus most greyhound rescues would take care of rehoming the dog if something happens to the owner.
They come in a variety of sizes (from tiny elegant females to big bouncy boys), colors and ages. I lost mine one week ago, he was the best dog ever
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Since your mother is already used to dogs that shed, maybe a Corgi? Medium-sized dogs with short legs. Super easy to train and manage. Really don’t like getting underfoot.
I’ve had them for over 60 years. Can’t imagine life without one!
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Every single word of this!! I can’t tell you how many people put HEAVY pressure on someone to get another dog when that person, much as she may LOVE dogs, does NOT feel able to physically manage another dog. I’ve seen it repeatedly with various relatives and friends to one degree or another, but with one person who is not really elderly but lives alone with no kids/family to help, it’s been very insistent. Everyone, from family members to strangers, has an opinion on how she should live her life. People would strenuously argue that the individual NEEEDED another dog and should give a rescue (it was always a “rescue”, especially a “senior” rescue, from a shelter/rescue) a home. The individual DOES. NOT. WANT another dog!!! But supposedly well-meaning family members and friends have tried to strong arm her into another dog. So far, she still has her current dog, but that dog is sometimes difficult to manage (such as after she injured herself in a fall Not related to the dog), just being able to feed the dog, open the door to let him out, handle the large bags of dogfood, or get him to the vet when she was incapacitated.
Apparently, it’s so very hard for those who have no physical limitations due to bodily limits or age to believe someone who does that living with a dog can be too much to handle. Please don’t pressure anyone to take on a dog that they don’t feel up to managing.
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Not a dog here, but a cat. When my elderly father’s cat (we are cat people) crossed the Rainbow Bridge, dad said he didn’t feel right taking on another cat knowing that the cat could outlive him. We made a deal that, if anything happened to my Dad, I would care for the cat. Together we went to the shelter and there was a beautiful long-haired brown classic tabby with white. He had been at the shelter for months because everyone passed him by because he was “over 10 years old”. A really sweet cat and we both liked him (I was living back at home to take care of my father, had a couple of cats of my own). Dad said “he can come live with me, it will be two alter kockers together.” He called him Charlie (which I later changed to Charles) First night at the house, the kitty jumped up on my father’s bed and curled up next to him and slept with him through the night. About a year later, Dad went to assisted care (his choice) but he couldn’t take his cat with him (that would have been reason enough for me to say no, I’m not moving, but I supported his decision). We (including the cats) all moved back to my own place. I thought with his age, he would only be around for a few years. He crossed the Rainbow Bridge 12 years later at the age of at least 22. Loved that cat so much. He would road trip with me and was a perfect gentleman.
So, I think taking on an older pet, knowing there will be someone to care for the dog/cat, is a “win” situation for all.
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Very smart. But not obedient
Very different relationship from a working dog like a Shephard. But can be cuddly and affectionate, more so than the working ones I’ve had.
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When my 65 pound Australian Shepherd started having health problems, I found that his size greatly limited how much I could help him. Not a dog you could easily carry from place to place! So when I lost him, I decided my next dog will be smaller. I had and loved a couple of Cavaliers. When they passed, I needed to find a dog that could fit through the doggie door to the run. (It is through the wall and not easy to change) and I still wanted to be sure I could handle it physically. I ended up with a rescue puppy that was all of four pounds! I was surprised as most of the “small dogs” described on websites were considerably larger. I have adjusted to having a small dog - although you do have to look for a little black dog when walking!
Your mom may or may not want another dog. She will likely need time to grieve her GS and to reconcile to not having that exact kind of relationship again. She may be fine with no pet, or she may decide she wants companionship. Then she has to think about what she can handle, how she feels about puppies, how she feels about temporary fosters, and how she feels about senior animals that she might not have long with.
Plenty of time and life has a way of happening in unexpected way. All you can do is support her and offer suggestions only if she asks. Best of luck.
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Very true! We’ve fostered dozens of cats and we kept the latest one. I knew he was a keeper within the first few hours because he just loves humans so much. I think the ability to “test drive” is very helpful and even if you don’t keep one, fostering feels good as you are helping to find needy animals good homes.
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Being 82-years-old and living alone on 18 acres 1200 miles away seems like the bigger issue. Is she not interested in moving closer to you and getting a smaller place? I know this would be an extremely difficult decision for her to make, but losing her beloved companion is going to leave her so alone on that property. If she moved closer to you and downsized, she would be in a better position to have dog company, even if it’s just regular visits from your dogs.
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Also consider the dog, that will be stressed if she needs to have surgery or any hospital/rehab stay.
Caring for a pet is not only enjoying the pet around, you also fret and worry and have only so much energy to handle caring and foreseeing and providing for your pet.
After a life training dogs, working in obedience, agility and herding and working cattle with dogs, now old, I lost my last little 14 1/2 year old dog three years ago.
I also can’t see to drive safely, so no matter how much I would like another, I won’t, not fair to my worrywart nature or to the dog when I have to go for surgery and rehab.
A pet needs someone that can be there also when things go wrong, drive in an emergency to a vet, etc., because that is part of life also.
If you have a really strong support situation, family close that you socialize with and they help you and your pets all along, pets are great.
If it is you and yourself, that is a whole different situation and that may be where OP’s mother is.
I would not push for her to get a dog because you think is sad she doesn’t has one to love.
To her it may be that she loves her pets so much she knows there is a time you let go, for their sake, if she is not reliably there for them and others to cover for her are not lined up to suit her.
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We should all have plans for pet placement after we die. My instructions are attached to my will and friends and family know where to find it.
Since your mom is living on her own on quite a bit of land, I would assume she is not your typical 82yr old. It might just be the anxiety and grief talking. I would just tell her that you will support whatever her decisions are.
Also, it’s just as easy to trip over a small dog as a large one!
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First. Thank you all for your thoughts and advice.
Dear sweet Milo crossed the bridge this morning with my Mom by his side. She is understandably heart broken. He truly was her very best dog.
I probably wasn’t explaining myself well. Please don’t think I am pushing her to have a dog. She has expressed to me how lonely she is without one.
Two weeks ago when Milo was starting to show signs that the end was near she told me she looked at him and said “please don’t leave me”. Mom is pretty spry for 82. Yes she drives. Goes to Yoga. Works out at the Y and makes quilts and paints watercolors like crazy.
I can surely visit more. But it’s really not the same as a constant companion. I mean I spend more time with my dogs than I do with my SO. 🤷.
Also although she lives 1200 away she is back where she grew up surrounded by her extended family. . Sisters, cousins, nephews, nieces etc.
She has lived there for 20 years now.
I think there have been a myriad of amazing suggestions. Love the posts above about fostering or rescuing senior dogs.
And yes. It is entirely up to her. I will not encourage her to do anything that is not her idea.
The only thing I would do is to reassure her if she did get a dog or a cat or whatever that I would always be her safety net if anything happened.
Anyway…. Please 
raise a dog biscuit for this big Scooby Doo of a dog. He was her heart.
Milo
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My father lost the World’s Best Jack Russell Terrier in his early 80’s. He did get another dog. Poor dog, he was never Spot. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend the rescue route. Dad went that way and got jerked around quite a bit. Either he was too old or some other crap. It didn’t help that he was looking for the exact dog that died, who was irreplaceable. He finally ended up with a relatively large Chihuahua mix. When he lost his cat, I bought him a kitten before he could go the rescue route. He was mad for a few days, but got over it. The kitten grew up in the mold our typical pets; the dog never really fit.
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