Should I get another dog?

[ken_79-fj40]

Need some Mud advice here. A few weeks ago I had to put down my 14 year old english bulldog/pitbull mix. Hardest decision I've ever made. In the months leading up to this my wife and I had said we wouldn't get another. Now I'm not so sure. My daughter (who's almost six) was absolutely devastated when I came home without Otis. She's still drawing me pictures of him and getting upset. And I get up in the morning now and feel a little lost. I've been a walking a dog first thing in the morning for over 14 years. And at night my wife and daughter usually hit the sack around 8 and I would hang out with the dog on the couch for a few hours before turning in myself. As nice as it is not having to walk the dog every morning and night regardless of weather I feel a little lost not doing it.

But here's the problem. I work about 50 miles from home. My wife works mother's hours but my daughter has various kid activities so most of the time a dog would be home from roughly 8 until 6 by itself. Just like my old dog, and I always felt terrible about that. When he was younger we had him crate trained and it worked out fine. It wasn't until he got old that he started opposing the crate, and he was obviously very uncomfortable in it. That's when he started sleeping in the laundry room, then after he almost ate the door we got the baby gates back out.

As for breeds I would want something smaller and better with kids. I was thinking maybe a beagle if we go down this road again.

 

[coryc85]

Ken - that's a tough one, but I thought I would weigh in since I'm soon to be in a similar boat. Last year we put down our 14 year old dog, and we've still got another one that is 15. She can barely get up from arthritis and has all the things that go along with getting really old. I know at some point soon she'll have to be put to sleep. It was the toughest thing I've ever had to decide for our 14 year old, and I'm dreading it for this one as well. My wife and I have said we are going to wait a while before getting another dog. We have a nearly 2 year old boy and another little one on the way, so it's tough to juggle the dog's needs and the kids. It's also a bit of a burden when you travel to have to arrange someone to look after the dog. So are the "cons" I guess. Our son really loves the dog, and I know how great it is to grow up with one so I don't think we'll be without one for longer than a year. I was thinking about your situation, and the only negative you mentioned was leaving the dog alone in the house all day, that does stink, but the other side of that coin is if you adopt a rescue dog you will be saving it from a lifetime of caged up loneliness. Kindof corny, but it's another way to look at it. Also, people say that dogs have no sense of time, so 8 hours or 8 minutes is essentially the same to them...I'm not sure about that, but I've heard it. I guess the summary is, if you miss the companionship, get another one. If the worst thing it has to handle is being cooped up in the laundry room all day, that's not too bad of a life.

 

[BrotherRob]

Although I opt for felines, I've lost two at 15 and 18 in two years, so I'm pretty sure I can provide some insight. I made a point of bringing in the next generation in advance of losing the older ones. It worked well, it takes a bit of the sting out of losing a long term companion and also curbs the urge to rush out and find a replacement. Despite losing two, I now have two terrific youngins to round out the family.

One of my biggest concerns about finding a replacement was waiting until I could treat the new one like a new relationship rather than expecting her to fill the void. This would be even more important with a child involved. Only you can say when the time is right.

x2 on the rescues. Not only are you saving an animal, in my experience, they adapt and form deep bonds much more quickly. If you're worried about leaving a new pooch alone, consider getting two, they'll keep each other company and won't be as needy. I would also opt for low key, mellow pups. High strung animals tend to be more trouble, especially when left to their own devises.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

 

[JohnVee]

One of my biggest concerns about finding a replacement was waiting until I could treat the new one like a new relationship rather than expecting her to fill the void. This would be even more important with a child involved. Only you can say when the time is right.

Perfectly said. This concern could also be mitigated by what Rob said about bringing in the new before the old is gone, but that's probably way too late in your case. I'm in the same boat on that one.

I hope to get another year out of our 12 year GSD, or more, but I'm not expecting it. Dogs have been the biggest part of me coming home and being happy every day for years but we'll be taking time off from that when she's gone so we can do things like travel on a whim. Not that I'm looking forward to that, but I'll suck it up 'cause it'll make the wife happy. Best wishes to you.

--john

 

[titanpat57]

Although I opt for felines, I've lost two at 15 and 18 in two years, so I'm pretty sure I can provide some insight. I made a point of bringing in the next generation in advance of losing the older ones. It worked well, it takes a bit of the sting out of losing a long term companion and also curbs the urge to rush out and find a replacement. Despite losing two, I now have two terrific youngins to round out the family.

One of my biggest concerns about finding a replacement was waiting until I could treat the new one like a new relationship rather than expecting her to fill the void. This would be even more important with a child involved. Only you can say when the time is right.

x2 on the rescues. Not only are you saving an animal, in my experience, they adapt and form deep bonds much more quickly. If you're worried about leaving a new pooch alone, consider getting two, they'll keep each other company and won't be as needy. I would also opt for low key, mellow pups. High strung animals tend to be more trouble, especially when left to their own devises.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

excellent advice...



sorry for your loss.

I'm a cat guy (only pet the will have right now...but was a dog guy mostly my whole life) We just got His Highness from the local cat shelter, and love him to death. There's some great choices at the shelters.

I think once you wait a bit, it gives you some time to level out....but for your daughters sake, I'm sure she would love to be part of process now she's six.

Good luck

 

[ken_79-fj40]

Thanks for the advice guys. We've actually thought about a cat too. I always had cats growing up but usually they weren't very sociable. However my daughter does like them and a cat would be fine being home during the day and a dog (especially a puppy) could be a problem. I had no idea there were so many pet rescues out there. I've been somewhat overwhelmed looking at dogs. I really need to talk with my wife more about it without my daughter around. Our last dog was primarily my responsibility from day one. With my schedule I have a hard time doing that to another dog. If I could get my wife on board it would be a different story. Oddly enough my wife said if we got another dog she would want something obviously friendlier than our last dog. He was a pitbull/bulldog mix. He loved us and until my daughter was born he was great strangers, especially kids. But once my daughter was born any stranger would be in danger of being eaten. He was always in his crate when company came over. However she said he made her feel a lot safer when she and my daughter were home alone. Lots of things to talk about still before a decision is made.

 

[BrotherRob]

If you're considering cats, get two or a dog and a cat. Single cats will rely on humans for attention and play. That can be fun but they can also get needy and a playful kitten will result in lots of scratches. They're often less trouble with a playmate.