Comments on: Thoughts on Another Dog http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2010/07/new-dog-2/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:06:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Sandra http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2010/07/new-dog-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4454 Sandra Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:44:38 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=7653#comment-4454 My dog passed away from cancer 7 years ago. Recently I have been thinking about getting another dog but am not sure if I am ready to make the 15 year committment. I miss having a dog around but am realistic to what my life is like now. As a "compromise" I decided to get invovled with a rescue group and foster a dog. I know right now in my life I can committ some quality time to a dog and nothing will make me happier then knowing that i've helped bring a rescue dog closer to finding a forever home. My dog passed away from cancer 7 years ago. Recently I have been thinking about getting another dog but am not sure if I am ready to make the 15 year committment. I miss having a dog around but am realistic to what my life is like now. As a “compromise” I decided to get invovled with a rescue group and foster a dog. I know right now in my life I can committ some quality time to a dog and nothing will make me happier then knowing that i’ve helped bring a rescue dog closer to finding a forever home.

]]> By: Melissa http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2010/07/new-dog-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4135 Melissa Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:25:33 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=7653#comment-4135 Thanks everybody for all the great advice! I need it. Sometimes I think I should just let what will happen...happen! I'll keep you posted on any decisions (probably just the same indecision!) :-) Thanks everybody for all the great advice! I need it. Sometimes I think I should just let what will happen…happen! I’ll keep you posted on any decisions (probably just the same indecision!) :-)

]]> By: Amy http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2010/07/new-dog-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4087 Amy Tue, 20 Jul 2010 02:50:53 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=7653#comment-4087 A *good* rescue group will work with you to find you the perfect match. You have a much better chance of getting what you want that way than with a pup . . . so many unknowns! Best of luck with your decision. A *good* rescue group will work with you to find you the perfect match. You have a much better chance of getting what you want that way than with a pup . . . so many unknowns! Best of luck with your decision.

]]> By: David http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2010/07/new-dog-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4062 David Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:43:05 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=7653#comment-4062 Regarding "However, I have a very refined set of needs that I am not sure can be met by a rescue." - Whenever you decide to get another dog, a rescue may actually provide you with more assurances that they meet your criteria more than a dog you get from a breeder, especially a rescue from a rescue group that has had time to observe the dog or, even more so, a dog that has been with a foster family. We recently sent our foster dog to his forever family (a long distance adoption from AR to NJ), and one of the things that his family loved was that, because he had been with our family, they knew exactly how he would behave around other animals and children. So, don't let your specific requirements rule out getting a rescue; you may find the rescue has better background information available. Regarding “However, I have a very refined set of needs that I am not sure can be met by a rescue.” -

Whenever you decide to get another dog, a rescue may actually provide you with more assurances that they meet your criteria more than a dog you get from a breeder, especially a rescue from a rescue group that has had time to observe the dog or, even more so, a dog that has been with a foster family. We recently sent our foster dog to his forever family (a long distance adoption from AR to NJ), and one of the things that his family loved was that, because he had been with our family, they knew exactly how he would behave around other animals and children. So, don’t let your specific requirements rule out getting a rescue; you may find the rescue has better background information available.

]]> By: Lil http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2010/07/new-dog-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4045 Lil Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:58:02 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=7653#comment-4045 Based on all of your concerns, I would probably wait because two dogs does not really sound like something you want to do and personally, I wouldn't either. If I were you, I would wait. And then I would rescue a dog a year or two old. Puppies are cute but I have no desire to ever own one. Our 1 year old dog from a shelter is an amazing pet and she was so easy to train. Plus, she was basically house trained before we even got her! Based on all of your concerns, I would probably wait because two dogs does not really sound like something you want to do and personally, I wouldn’t either.

If I were you, I would wait. And then I would rescue a dog a year or two old. Puppies are cute but I have no desire to ever own one. Our 1 year old dog from a shelter is an amazing pet and she was so easy to train. Plus, she was basically house trained before we even got her!

]]> By: Peggy http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2010/07/new-dog-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4043 Peggy Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:37:15 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=7653#comment-4043 We got a 1 yr old rescue dog when our yellow lab was 10. We thought the pup would liven up our older dog but they never really became playmates. She was dominate and bossy, and at times I think our sweet lab felt neglected due to the presence of this cute, active little sister. Then other times she was maternal with him and licked his face and curled up with him. We solved most of the problems by making sure we spent plenty of time with them each dog individually. And to be honest, although nothing really helps, it did help a bit to have another dog at home when that sad day eventually came. I hope these thoughts help. Good luck with your decision. We got a 1 yr old rescue dog when our yellow lab was 10. We thought the pup would liven up our older dog but they never really became playmates. She was dominate and bossy, and at times I think our sweet lab felt neglected due to the presence of this cute, active little sister. Then other times she was maternal with him and licked his face and curled up with him. We solved most of the problems by making sure we spent plenty of time with them each dog individually. And to be honest, although nothing really helps, it did help a bit to have another dog at home when that sad day eventually came. I hope these thoughts help. Good luck with your decision.

]]> By: Tweets that mention New Dog: Thoughts on Getting Another Dog -- Topsy.com http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2010/07/new-dog-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4040 Tweets that mention New Dog: Thoughts on Getting Another Dog -- Topsy.com Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:11:20 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=7653#comment-4040 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jennifer Macdonald and Melissa, Dog Food Recipes. Dog Food Recipes said: Deciding whether or not to get a new dog is a BIG decision. This responsible pet own his thinking it through with ... http://bit.ly/bCvmdz [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jennifer Macdonald and Melissa, Dog Food Recipes. Dog Food Recipes said: Deciding whether or not to get a new dog is a BIG decision. This responsible pet own his thinking it through with … http://bit.ly/bCvmdz [...]

]]> By: R A BUTLER http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2010/07/new-dog-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4039 R A BUTLER Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:46:23 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=7653#comment-4039 You have so many questions and concerns.. I have seven dogs and the question that made me come to my own opinion and conclusion was the one about not being too keen about having two dogs, a lot of muddy paws to clean and your parents weren't too thrilled about baby sitting two dogs, adding to their already one that they have as well... So my answer is a clear NO!!!!! You have so many questions and concerns.. I have seven dogs and the question that made me come to my own opinion and conclusion was the one about not being too keen about having two dogs, a lot of muddy paws to clean and your parents weren’t too thrilled about baby sitting two dogs, adding to their already one that they have as well… So my answer is a clear NO!!!!!

]]> By: Sheryl Jones http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2010/07/new-dog-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4038 Sheryl Jones Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:45:23 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=7653#comment-4038 Last September our cocker spaniel, Sparky, died at the age of 14. We had him for 12 years. In January we adopted an English Shepherd, Megan. Megan is a great dog but we miss having a cocker spaniel. We also think that Megan might enjoy the company. Also, Megan is pretty much my dog (just the way it worked out) and my partner would really enjoy having a little dog that is "hers" as Sparky was. But we've never had two dogs at once... Last September our cocker spaniel, Sparky, died at the age of 14. We had him for 12 years. In January we adopted an English Shepherd, Megan. Megan is a great dog but we miss having a cocker spaniel. We also think that Megan might enjoy the company. Also, Megan is pretty much my dog (just the way it worked out) and my partner would really enjoy having a little dog that is “hers” as Sparky was. But we’ve never had two dogs at once…

]]> By: Iris http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2010/07/new-dog-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4037 Iris Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:35:58 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=7653#comment-4037 Before the old dog gets really old, taking on a pup will have two benefits. The old dog will come alive with the challenge of company, and the old dog will teach the new one. This is what I have found and the house breaking, food, etc, is much easier when elder teaches the youngster. I was not lucky in my old dog and a new one. I put off getting a pup and now my elder has passed on. At this point, I am still not ready for a pup, and like you, I will not go near one for fear of taking on more than I want to right now. When I do, my pup won't have an elder to teach it and it will be a greater burden to train the new. Good luck with what ever you choose and I hope that your elder will live another 10-15 years. Before the old dog gets really old, taking on a pup will have two benefits. The old dog will come alive with the challenge of company, and the old dog will teach the new one. This is what I have found and the house breaking, food, etc, is much easier when elder teaches the youngster. I was not lucky in my old dog and a new one. I put off getting a pup and now my elder has passed on. At this point, I am still not ready for a pup, and like you, I will not go near one for fear of taking on more than I want to right now. When I do, my pup won’t have an elder to teach it and it will be a greater burden to train the new.
Good luck with what ever you choose and I hope that your elder will live another 10-15 years.

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