Dog owners - past and present - would you get another dog?

[kathymuggle]

The title says it all. When your dog leaves your family, do you think you will get another dog?

Poll time!

[eli's mama]

Yes, i will get another dog. We've been thinking about this a lot as our dog is getting up there in age.

[mata]

we got a puppy this summer, and we have an 11 year old dog already. we were mainly motivated because we wanted a large dog, but it was in my thoughts that it would be mighty lonely if we suddenly found ourselves dogless in the house. Of course, the puppy can never be a replacement for our beloved first, she's just a different but equally wonderful companion. I love dogs. I really don't want to be without one ever.

[cyncyn]

We made it about six months after our previous dog died. It was lonely without any fur babies. When dd was born 6 years ago, we had a cat and 2 dogs. All 3 eventually died, a couple years apart. Each time I swore I would never own another pet, because loving and losing them is so traumatic (for me anyway). But as time passes, I start thinking that I might be able to do it again. Usually when I can think of the previous pet without crying, like remembering a fun time we had or making a joke about some habit, then I feel like I am ready to look for another pet.

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

Our last dog died when I was pregnant with dd. I didn't want to bring a new dog into the house at the same time as a baby so we waited until dd was 3 before we started looking for a dog. If Nelly was to leave our family for some reason, we would get another dog. It felt weird not to have a pet. It would depend on our life circumstances at the time how quickly we would look for one though so I voted "within 5 years"

[Ola_]

Yes, I'm sure I'll get another dog. I'm not sure how long of a wait though - and that seems to be a very personal decision. Some people need another pet right away to help them cope, others need a long time to grieve.

[Aries1985]

No, my dog was gone a year in August and I have no real desire for another one. He was a difficult dog; separation anxiety, skin allergies, etc.. and his last month of life was extremely hard for me. I should have put him to sleep sooner, but I just couldn't. He was needing round the clock care, tons of meds, and I had a baby via c-section in the middle of all that. It was not an easy time at all. I can't go through that pain of losing another dog again. I loved him so much!

[Alyantavid]

Yes. We have a 9 year old dog now and I won't get another dog until he's gone. He had a really rough time with the last dog we adopted. But after he's gone and we've had some time, we'll get a puppy.

[EFmom]

Yes, I like having a dog around. And if I wait more than a few weeks, I'm afraid I'd get used to not having to vacuum up dog hair and clean up drool, so I would have to get a new dog immediately.

[Irishmommy]

Right now I say no, but we have two dogs, and with their lifespans, we should have 10 more years with them. Ask me in a decade!

[femalephish]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle

The title says it all. When your dog leaves your family, do you think you will get another dog?

Poll time!

I would get another dog. I would NEVER get another puppy!

[kathymuggle]

Originally Posted by femalephish

I would get another dog. I would NEVER get another puppy!

We were talking about this today at work. I might get another dog (after a few years off - I find walking them and finding care for them when I go away for more than 18 hours draining), but I do not think I would get another puppy.

Puppies are so much work! Moreover, you can really see what you get with an older dog.

[JavaJunkie]

We had to put down our Lab last year. She was 13. We got another Lab right away...within a month, I think it was. Dh loves dogs. I don't think we'll ever be without one. Probably always Labs, too. Great dogs, even if the massive shedding does drive me nuts. LOL

[spedteacher30]

We're still debating it. We have two dogs and a cat (was two cats until this time last year ) and a son who is highly allergic to them. He is not reacting to our animals, but he does react to other dogs and cats. Our pediatrician and allergist have said no more animals to us, but we really can't imagine life without pups.

One of the dogs is becoming very elderly. the other is a very unsatisfying pet. I can't imagine life with just the one dog when the older dog passes, but we probably can't have any new pets due to DS's allergies.

[sunnmama]

Yes. I've had my dog for 12 years. He is healthy and should live a few more years. I'm almost positive we'll get another dog when he is gone.

Ironically, I chose a (hopeful) name for our next dog just yesterday, lol! I've never given it any thought up until just now; I hope it isn't a sign or something Anyway, our dog is named Puck, and I've just really loved his name. We call him Pucky a lot. And it hit me that Duck would be a cool name for a dog (esp a water dog), called Ducky. Dh and dd both thought it was a cool name. Hopefully we'll have a Duck in our family someday, but not too soon, please!

[iamama]

I said maybe not for a long time...I just am not ready to commit to a new dog or cat but I am really loving our chickens!

[Oubliette8]

I chose within 5 years. My last dog died 4 years ago. I desperately wanted another dog starting a few months after her death, but I couldn't handle the grief. We tried fostering a few dogs about then with the intent to adopt, but the grief came back and the guilt about bringing home a new dog was overwhelming. So I waited. I was finally able to bring a new dog into my home about 15 months after her death.

I never want to be without a dog, but if I don't have another dog when she dies, I know I'll need time to grieve, and for me, that may take a year or more.

[U2can]

My dog had to be euthanized in August. I miss him terribly, my home is horribly empty without the love that only a dog can give. We won't be getting another dog for a very long time as both my husband & I work long hours. It wasn't fair to my dog to be alone for so many hours every day, and I'll not do that to another dog. When our life slows down, a dog will definitely be joining our family, it just won't be for many, many years.

[Tizzy]

It will be awhile before we get another. I've been finding it very difficult to enjoy my dogs for various reasons and I cannot justify bringing another dog into our family unless we know it will be beneficial for all of us.

[griffin2004]

Originally Posted by femalephish

I would get another dog. I would NEVER get another puppy!

amen to both

I can't imagine life without a dog in it. I don't feel like a complete person without some crazy doggie close by. I much prefer the company of most dogs to that of most people.