Your opinions on whether you would get another pet or not
 

How many of you would get another pet if something happened to your current one?

My friends recently became dogless. (is that such a word?) They aren't sure if they want another pet. They were curious as to what other pet lovers think. I have friends who say they like having a companion and others say it frees them up to do what they want by not having a pet. What's your opinions?

Our Irish Setter had to be put down on December 22nd, he was 10 1/2. We also have a 4 1/2 yr old English Setter. The only way I could fill the hole in my heart was to get another puppy who will arrive January 28th, an 8 week old Gordon Setter pup by that time. Yes it ties you down, costs a lot of money to care for them, makes you responsible every day, makes travel more difficult and expensive with boarding. Eh, sounds like having kids and I would not trade either for a second. While I grieve for our Irish Setter, I know that new life is on its way. There is that saying that dogs leave paw prints on your heart. They keep you active and bring more joy to the home.

Love the entertainment of a dog, but right now.........enjoying the freedom of not having to consider a dog in my scheduling.

Totally agree. Years ago when we lost our chocolate lab the house was just plain empty. We adopted our beloved bailey and made our house whole again.

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.

We've lost 2 dogs since we moved here but primarily why we don't get another dog is our age, 75 and 77. A dog would probably outlive us and then what?
The freedom without a dog is a plus.

John

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.

yep, I would always want a dog. When we had to euthanize a dog due to renal failure, I thought I would wait awhile to get another. Then I broke my foot and was home so just started "looking" thru the rescue sites. I found one who's story was just so pathetic I had to ask about him, then just went to meet him....as they say the rest is history. Gambit is quite the character. When I got him, the rescue had easily 10 other dogs that I would take if I could. There are just too many wonderful dogs that need homes....I will always provide one. Yes, it's a pain scheduling things but they are such a comfort. As I get older, I, will get rescues that are older....there are so many older rescues, too.

I will ALWAYS have a fur baby (or two) in my home as long as I am able. They love us unconditionally and add so much. One of mine is fast asleep right now with her head on my foot.

We lost our beloved yellow Lab 1 1/2 years ago it has been 18 months of emptiness.
A Labradors loyalty and devotion has no boundaries
We though about it from time to time and at this point in our lives were a little old to start over with a puppy.
Now the good news our rescue Lab:2excited: is on his way to a foster home and we are going to pick him up next Thursday after 2 months of working with:bowdown: Save a Lab our home will be whole again. Yes I would get another pet

We have an 18 year old toy poodle. He is deaf, blind and has no teeth. I am hurting now knowing it won't be too much longer. We also are concerned about being without a furry companion, yet want to have the freedom to go on some trips not suitable for dogs.

we have never ever been without a dog in our family....ever.
So yes we would get another dog and continiue to get them from a rescue specializing in our breed favorite.

Kathie, you could go to schnauzer rescue for your next dog if you only wanted that breed. Each breed has a rescue group in my experience.

Love your quote from Mark Twain and agree wholeheartedly.

[QUOTE=KathieI;809456]Me too, Diane. That's how they sleep and I love it.

When I was married and had a lot of property, we had as many as 7 dogs (all Schnauzers) at one time. Yes, that was a bit much but we got it down to 4 and it made me extremely happy. When one would pass away, we would immediately get another because my grief was overwhelming. A new puppy made me feel happy again. When I moved to TV, I had 3 schnauzers, 2 passed away (they were both 16) and Sam and I were very lonely. I found Maggie Mae at a breeder's in FL and picked her up immediately. She was a dream come true, but she is a handful. She's a very busy girl and everything is a game for her. Love her and Sam to death. Yes, I'd get another in a sec. Just wish it could be a rescue but because of asthma, I can only be around non-shedding dogs.
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She sounds like my Bella who just turned a year in October. She's a terror but very loving and just a playful puppy.

This is one of those questions where it really matters "where you are at" in your life. If I am healthy, I know I will get another dog again.....

Our 'Caly' is going on 11. I know from owning many dogs what is coming and it will truly crush me even though I know it is coming. Past experience tells me it will take a year to 18 months to start again.

This next time may not take as long as my lovely wife now works at a shelter in the area and she is always telling me of the great dogs abandoned. I just have to be careful we do not end up with FIVE *** :)

*** Yes I know the deed restrictions, I was kidding....

I don't have the time to train a dog the way I would like, so, no I won't have a dog again. I do have to have furbabies in my life, though. For now, I'm content with my kitties. I just had to put one of them down and I really miss Gabby. She was a total black brat -- spoiled to the core and 100% feline and 500% lovable and truly sweeet. For now, I won't replace her but as soon as Sammie goes home (I'm "babysitting" her while her mom and dad sell their house in VA), I'll probably start looking for a new cat (one that my Beau can tolerate -- she loathes Sam). To me, life isn't complete without pets and the fuzzier the better.

I had to put my Boxer down about 6 years ago and still think of him almost every day. That said, I don't miss walking him in the early morning rain, cold or shine. It got to the point of medical expenses that I had to decide how much is enough. Finally his suffering made my decision for me. I also don't miss having to be aware of how long I can be away from home without letting him out. Vacations were another problem........SO, as much as I loved my dog I wouldn't want another one.

My wife was the one who took our golden to the vet when it was time to say goodbye. I had to work. Coming home to an empty house just tore us up, and we often thought we could hear him. A few months later we got a black lab from the shelter and she was a joy for years and came with us to TV. But she broke a rear leg and the vet showed us the X-ray that revealed she had little bone mass remaining. The leg could have been repaired but she would be in pain forever. So I had to make the decision to put her down and stay with her while her life ended. I am still haunted by her lifting her head to look at me when the vet started the injection. I can NEVER go through that again. Even though the vet told me I did the right thing for her, I felt like I failed her. So, no more dogs. I get my canine fix from all the great dogs in my neighborhood.

My dogs are not quite 3, so we won't be looking at this question (I hope) for many years, but I'm pretty sure at that point in our lives we would not get dogs of our own, but do some dog sitting for people. That way you can have a dog when you want one and not when you want to do some traveling. Seems like the best of both worlds to me!

I can't imagine life without a pet. When our first golden died, I was inconsolable for two months and finally got a puppy, knowing we were going overseas in two years. My husband caved, mainly for me. We hauled a 75-lb golden to France for six months, and back again. He's now 6 and 88 lbs. I spent a ton of time training him, because he's stronger than I am.

My problem is how to deal with a big dog after him. They are very strong, and we will be in our 70s. We had cats all our married life until a few years ago, and I could spend the rest of my life with cats if it weren't for our bird.

So I'm sorta on the lookout for a small breed with a golden's temperament. Met two Malti-poos yesterday in a golf cart who were totally quiet, friendly, and wagging like crazy at our golden. I could go with the right small dog (or two). I know I could get DH to cave once again.

I don't care about the expense or the hassle. We really enjoy our pets.

I get that our pets are a concern when we might want to travel but that said, I wouldn't trade the rest of the time when I'm not traveling to live without a pet's love. Be it dog or cat my life would be less without my fuzzy buddies and they don't need that much to give all they give back.

We did get another when our 6 year beagle had to be put down suddenly. We got another beagle within a month and a half. The emptiness was too great.

Absolutely will always have a doggie. If your friends aren't sure, tell them to volunteer at a shelter, fills a wonderful void, and look at the happiness it brings the pups. My pup is the kid I never had - she is precious and means the world to us. When we go away we figure it out, no big deal. Agree, too, with other writers - I'd adopt a more mature doggie at this point in my life but hey, who knows, like life, subject to change.

I kind of agree with you there. My mini Dachshund was euthanized. Seeing him go lifeless, is still traumatic for me when I replay this in my mind. A few things that keep me from getting another dog is:
A) always remembering to get home often enough to let him out
B) walking him in the heat of the summer
C) lots of money spent for vet bills and for when we travel
D) not being able to sleep in because he needs to go out

I miss him, but the freedom is really wonderful. I might change my mind though if some dog tugs at my heart. The memory of his precious little eyes were unforgettable. Tears come to my eyes now....

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I consider A through D as helping to keep us young!

No, you didn't fail her and the way you honor her is to take another rescue who would not have a life without you. I have learned through so many dogs and cats that I can not replace them but can show my appreciation by helping another. I think when she raised her head and looked at you that she was thanking you for giving her the gift of life and a pain free death. Wouldn't we all like that in our own lives. I am pretty sure she would not,nave wanted you to be pet free. I think animals teach us so much about love and devotion. Bless you for the love you gave her

I will adopt until I drop.
Arrangements will be made for care of my pets from my estate when I assume room temperature.

Ours are 5 1/2 year old brothers. I tell them they need to give me at least 10 more years. I'll be 70 then and my wife says they are the last. Definitely no more puppies but maybe a older rescue Shih Tzu.

Check out the Goldendoodles. They come in small, medium, and large sizes and are truly a wonderful loving dog. :wave:

I've thought of a golden doodle. They are adorable. The ones I've seen were way too big for how old we will be in 6 or 7 years--same weight as our golden, but many inches taller and just as strong.

I've seen a miniature golden doodle, around 30 lbs. It's a good size, but this particular one is too much of the poodle look for our taste. NOTHING AT ALL against poodles! We just prefer a squarer, blockier face

My friend (on their fourth golden) just sent me links to a mix between a golden and a cocker spaniel. Gets 30-45 lbs. I think they're called Dakota Sport Retrievers.

I was considering a Wheaton terrier, but our groomer just gave me a blank stare when I mentioned it. Then she said, "They can very, very weird."

Oh little tweetybird, What you said brought tears to my eyes as well.

So glad to see this thread. We're struggling with the decision to get a puppy. We've been dog-less for 3 years after we had to put down our 15-year-old Border Terrier. The previous year we lost our Scottie/Cairn mix who was also 15. The struggles of a geriatric dog were very hard to go through once, let alone twice.

That being said, I have two major concerns. Our children live in other states so we would often have to board the dog. The second is that our house is new and I'd hate to have to haul out the Pet Bot to clean the carpet. Been there, done that, too many times to count. Wish my husband liked hardwood or tiled living rooms. We do miss the wet nosed kisses and wagging tails. I've found a Cairn breeder that has a litter due in a few weeks so we could have a puppy around April. We aren't really interested in a rescue for a number of reasons. If the right one came along, we'd consider other small breeds/mixes as long as they are puppies.

Feeling the emptiness of not having a dog.

Love my Wheaton Terrier - we've had two - this one a rescue. Molly is wonderful and everyone loves her! Don't taken what your groomer says too seriously - they are great pups.

When/if I get to a point I feel I can no longer adopt... I will foster!

lafter having pets most of our lives we now no longer have a dog or a cat. Its just too hard to let them go so we decided no new puppies or kitties for us

Well, I wondered about that, Deb. One winter in Key West there was a Wheaton at the dog park. The owners travel up and down the east coast printing and selling T-shirts at events, and they needed a medium-sized dog who would be good with people and not mind living in cramped RV quarters. He was the nicest, friendliest dog, and very playful--loved to retrieve. I came away thinking what a nice dog, size- and temperament-wise.

Maybe my groomer had a couple of "off" ones. It is a small town, and maybe they came from the same breeder. She didn't elaborate. I should have asked.