Quote:
Originally Posted by Barefoot
We would absolutely get another rescue dog. Who else greets you at the front door wagging their tails and offering you totally unconditional love? Granted, dogs are a pain in the butt, they are time consuming, need attention, expensive, and they definitely make traveling more difficult. We always stay in La Quinta for no other reason than because they allow two dogs, any size, free.
And yet, we would never be without two dogs, a large and a small. They bring such joy and laughter to our lives. I would feel my life is incomplete without a couple of dogs running around. In the past, when one of my dogs used to pass over the rainbow bridge, I would wait a few months to get another dog, because I thought it was a respectful thing to do. Of course a new dog is never a replacement, just another valued member of the pack.
When I had Brutus euthanized in 2010 because of a brain tumor, I was immediately offered a rescue Portuguese Water Dog. We adopted Lollipop and took her into our home and our hearts. We have never regretted it for a single minute. Even though she had four homes before we adopted her, we find her an absolute joy.
Dogs light up my life.
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Bare, I totally agree with you. I can't picture a moment of my life without a dog. I have had multiple dogs and had my heart broken multiple times and can not ever imagine a time without a dog to share my life. I have a dear friend who lost her dogs and won't get another dog and she talks about them every day. I respect that, but I don't understand it. She talks about how lonely she his without them, she is retired, doesn't travel, but just won't open her heart again for fear of losing a dog again, which we know will happen eventually. I would rather have the pain of loss than never have the joy of all those moments of love and happiness. For me, if I felt that way, I would never take a chance on ANY relationships. My canine relationships fulfill me on so many levels, that without them I would be empty.
My dogs and I have done therapy visits in nursing homes and when we visit dog lovers they light up with such joy and tell me how painful it is to be dogless. I feel their sorrow and could never go there unless, like them, life forced me to be without them. My life choices have always included them.
As far as becoming older and not wanting to have a dog, no disrespect meant to those who make this choice, but I would not choose a puppy when I reached a certain age, but I might choose an older rescue dog or rehomed show dog at that point. Older dogs are easy to care for, need homes and are harder to place than young dogs and make wonderful, grateful companions. And the rescue group will rehome them should you have a reason that they need it like if you should pass on before them or become disabled and can no longer care for them.
So as far as the OPs question. Yes, yes, yes. I will always have a pet and can not picture happiness without one.