Am I nuts? Check out Gigi
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/dis ... id=5386968 Would Chum like a friend? She doesn't really play much with other dogs. Would it be different with a Sheepie? Would it be different with her very own housemate? Or would she resent sharing attention? I don't know what it is that keeps me browsing petfinder when I already have a very sweet doggie. . . Tell me what to do! |
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| Awww... she looks adorable. |
Val, You may be nuts  , but your heart is in the right place. If you think that you have time for 2 dogs, then go for it...a younger dog may just be what Chum needs. I have heard that older dogs act younger and live longer due to having playmates...I dont know from personal experience...but Id just say follow your instinct...99% of the time its correct! |
| Hi Valerie,
She is absoutly adorable!!! I went through the same feelings before I decided to rescue my Murphy. Dudley was almost 2 years old and the most laid back gentle dog. I felt bad that he was home by himself while we were at work, didn't have a playmate, etc, etc, etc.. Would he be happy with another dog in the house to share our affection, would he think we didn't love him.. tons of things go through your head. Would I ruin an amost perfect thing? When we did finally bring Murphy home the first thing he did was bite Dudley.. and I said "he's going back!!!" My boyfriend said give them a chance they will settle it themselves. It's been 2 years now and I have to say they are the bestest buds. One will not go anywhere without the other. I love watching then sleep.. Murphy snuggled up as close to Dudley as he can get. When we go for walks in the park.. they are stuck to each other like glue...Dudley out weighs Murphy by a good 60lb pounds, but Dudley is as gentle with him as possible...but if another dog gets a little to rough with Murphy playing.. Dudley comes charging to the rescue. Both of them.. I think, are happier, more content dogs because they have each other. I will never be a one dog home again.. |
| Valerie,
I raised Barney from a pup of 8 wks; got him right after Thanksgiving last year. I've never owned more than one dog at a time in my 67 years. We did everything together. Then when another forum member who bought one of Barney's brothers, mentioned she was going to get another pup from the breeder and jokingly suggested I do the same it got me thinking; would a companion be good for Barney while I'm at work all day? I wrestled with the thought, looked at pictures of the pups on the breeder's web site. One side of me said I'm crazy to even consider the idea, at my age, limited income, etc,etc,etc... Then I got a call last June from the Breeder. One of her dogs from an earlier litter needed a new home. The owner had several back operations and could no longer care for the dog. She asked me if I might find someone on the forum that might be interested. Meanwhile the dogs owner gave the dog to a friend to take care of it. I shared the information on the forum, and since the current location of the dog was nearby, I drove out to see it. They called her Elle, she was a typical sheepie, 21 months old, full of life, but heavily matted and a filthy mess; but full of love and sheepie kisses. For good or ill I decided Elle needed a forever home. It was a Friday evening and I told the lady I would be back the next evening with Barney for a brief meeting on common ground so they could get acquainted and to insure myself that they could get along. The next day I got a call from the lady: "I have to leave town Monday; if you don't take Elle, she's going to a pound or a rescue." I thought I had made it clear that I was going to get her, so I called her back to reconfirm my committment. The dogs seemed to get along together. In my brief conversations with the lady I learned that during the hot month of June she kept Elle, she was tied up 24/7 in their yard. That explained her miserable condition; though physically she was OK - also the reason later I found she wanted to bite me whenever I got near her with a collar and leash. When I brought the two home and let them loose in the yard, I soon began to realize that owning 2 dogs was not the same and I would soon find out it was an altogether different world. I thought the two were going to kill one another. The really went at one another. Yes I read about pack behavior but the hierarchy thing meant nothing to me. Barney was my pal and buddy; and this bitch was trying to rip him apart. I kept them separated for a week, trying to find out what to do. Forum members were helpful, then I met a lady (who works in the deli department of the same Market I work at) who has a degree in animal behavior and trains dogs for agility. She and her husband agreed to come by and assess the situation; their conclusion: Maggie (I renamed her and had her registered) was a domineering bitch, and Barney was a playful puppy, but too old to be treated like a puppy by Maggie. They showed me how to establish myself as the leader of the pack and gain control of them if they got too rough. Then explained that the pack members establish their own pecking order and I was to respect that. And showing favoritism toward Barney would lead to reprisal by Maggie. That's when I realized that owning a pack was entirely different than owning a dog. I no longer just had a pet, I had a family. I don't know whether the other forum members agree with this perspective; seems like many of them have owned several dogs for a long time. But if you're new to the pack world, its important I think to grasp this understanding. Frankly I think it was the best decision I've made in a long time and would recommend it to anyone as long as you're willing to be flexible and adjust to a different relationship with your dogs. Good luck. George, Maggie & Barney. |
| Great response, George. It is important that people who have never done it realize that it changes things...a lot of things. And it is not us who establishes who is the higher ranking of the dogs. They decide, and it changes by location, and if there are additional dogs involved. If we interfere then it messes them up.
I will never be a single dog home again, and with all the 20 or so foster dogs I've had in the past couple of years I have learned so much about inter-dog relationships. Some dogs have come in and taken over the pack, some have not, some have participated, some have not. I have just been the facilitator, so everyone stays safe and happy. It has nothing to do with OUR relationship with the dogs at all, as we are humans, not the same speicies, so don't partake in the same social behavior and ranking. But it is good that you watched, waited, and did not just force the issue. It gradually became what it is now, and worked out well for all. Good for you and good description of the process that it took. |
| Let me add one more thing:
Two sheepdogs are more work than one. Grooming is 8 hrs a week rather than 4; training is doing everything 2 times each day. You can't just walk them both together and expect them to learn anything. What do I do when I've worked an 8 hr day and rather sit at the forum and read and answer posts, than spend a half hour walking each dog? At these times I remind myself: "Lord these are really your animals; in your loving kindness you entrusted them to me, confident I would give them a good home and loving care. Thanks for the opportunity and blessing of their affection." |
I'm in the same boat, Valerie, and always check petfinder. Annie's 8 1/2 and doesn't play well with other dogs either. She'd prefer to chase a human than another dog. She nips at dogs and then walks away leaving me behind to pet the other pup. Hubby said no more than two at a time. I'm taking that as an invitation to get another one.  Maybe after I settle into the new job starting after Thanksgiving. |
George wrote: Let me add one more thing:
Two sheepdogs are more work than one. Grooming is 8 hrs a week rather than 4; training is doing everything 2 times each day. You can't just walk them both together and expect them to learn anything. What do I do when I've worked an 8 hr day and rather sit at the forum and read and answer posts, than spend a half hour walking each dog? At these times I remind myself: "Lord these are really your animals; in your loving kindness you entrusted them to me, confident I would give them a good home and loving care. Thanks for the opportunity and blessing of their affection." Very well put, George!
It is a bigger committment, Val. But, like George, I wouldn't go back. Beau and Gen are perfect together and they love one another so much, I can't imagine them not having each other. |
| You guys are amazing. Thanks so much for the very thoughtful replies. It is alot to consider. Doesn't sound like anyone regrets getting the second dog. . . Today, Chumley was so active and playful at the park. It was a joy to see. I think we will meet her and see how it goes between them. . . |
| Oh, Val! She is just SO cute. Follow your heart!
Chris |
| Thanks Chris. I so enjoy seeing our adjacent posts so I can compare Chummie to Drezzie. Still working on location for our meeting. . . Can't wait! |
| It says Gigi loves cars. Can you stand 2 sheepies going mental in your car? Of course you can! A meeting between the two sounds like a perfect plan. |
| Val, I like seeing our posts together too, for the same reason. Sometimes I'd swear they're the same dog!!
So maybe there will be yet another dog at our gathering??? This will be interesting!! 
Chris |
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