My sister is not very well and I'm looking after her dog at the moment (a black Labrador).

The dog is a real sweetie, no real bother and gets on with my springer and cats.

Sis has said if I want I can keep her permanently.

Trouble is,

Heart says a great big yes as she a lovely dog and fits in with us and has integrated well with us all and adores me (I have a permanent shadow behind me)

Head says no though as she is unneutered, 10yrs old, uninsurable and showing signs of problems with her eyes and hips, and if I'm honest I simply couldn't afford the possibility of hundreds of pounds worth of vets bills. My cynical OH reckons now they've had her best years and old age and vets bills are dawning that is why she's trying to be passed onto me, as I love the dog and am a soft touch about her !!!!!

Although sis isn't cruel or neglecting her she can't really give her what she needs, exercise, walks, stimulation etc as she is housebound.

What do I do as I feel sorry for the dog but OH is not keen on keeping her for the above reasons.

Keep her if your sis can't manage her, but ask your sis to foot any vet bills?

I was going to suggest this.

Also, if the sister is on benefits through her illness she could get any vet work done at a drastically reduced price by the RSPCA. Free even in some cases.

I could try but sis isn't on benefits but off work sick. Spoke to sis and she was insured till 5 and then the premiums rocketed and they couldn't afford them on top of everything else.

I don't work, due to accident at work, I recently got an 11 German Shepard who had issues herself, Changed my life she has, and she's now healthier too

Just keep her OP, you won't regret it, your sister and her beautiful labrador need you now. Worry about the vet bills when they start, until then just enjoy that beautiful dog.

Saying that your sister is getting rid of the dog to avoid vet's fees is harsh. If she can't take the dog out, then you should keep the dog. The vet's fees thing will have to be a bridge crossed and if anything does happen, you will have to make a decision to treat or put to sleep. A bit blunt but the dog will be miserable without exercise and the dog sounds much better off at yours.

I've ended up with Yorkie pup I wasn't expecting recently because my Mother impulse bought a puppy from a puppy farm.

I'd say try to keep the dog, there are supplements you can use to support them in old age.... a dog of that age won't be easily rehomed tbh.

At least try IMO

I loved my dog more when she was old and I had to baby her. Yes, ask your sister if she can at least help with vet bills. It does sound like she's trying to take advantage. If you can't/won't look after a dog into old age, then you shouldn't get one.

I've just recently rehomed a male, uncastrated, 10 year old chocolate Labrador from my sister! Because my sister works all the hours God sends, she can't look after him anymore. However, she has said that if I ever need it, she'll wing money my way for vets bills for him. Won't ever take her up on this offer unless it's a life or death situation, though.

My advice would be to keep the Labrador, you sound happy, and so does the dog. As for vets bills and the dog being uninsurable, could you put, say, £20-30 away each month just incase you ever have to take the dog to the vet for a major problem/operation? That's pretty much what you'd pay for insurance premiums anyway, and even if the money saved doesn't cover it all, at least you'll have a "down payment" and can perhaps sort out a payment plan with your vet for the rest. Most vets are very reasonable.

Keep the dog.

She is an elderly dog who has found a loving home where she is happy, if you can why not let her live out her day's with you, if and when she needs medical care that you can't afford discuss it with the vet, at that point the best for her might be to put her to sleep, rather than let her suffer because you can't afford treatment, or put her through the stress of trying to move her again.

All we can do is give them quality of life for as long as we can.

I think this is fair. Your sister would have the entire vet bills to pay if you do not take the dog, she would also have the cost of feeding the animal. So how about you both going half or whatever, and be sure to discuss the probability of the dog having continued vet care for mobility:

Old dogs are not cheap to keep, its unlikely the dog will not be troubled with arthritis at some point, if it is not now, this needs medication, medication comes from vets ...so does invoices for payment.
I am guessing your feeling guilty for questioning having the dog, you should not, you are being honest and practical ...easy for me to say!.
Best of luck.