Hi Guys,
Just about 4 weeks ago I had to put my ‘Bear’ (Lab/Rotty mix) to sleep and yesterday had to do the same for my 13 year old Rotty. So, it’s with a heavy heart that I ask this question to those of you who are ‘dog people’.
Do we simply want a dog(s) or do we ‘need’ them (functionally, comraderie, emotionally, etc) as much as they need us?
Personally, I am quickly finding that I need to have a dog.
Allan
Hi Allan,
3 1/2 years ago we had to put our Springer Spaniel down. 2 1/2 years ago we had to put our Miniature Schnauzer down. I swore I would never have anymore dogs, it hurt so bad. That lasted a couple of months and we got 2 puppies of mixed breed. Australian Shepherd and Cairn Terrier mix. In answer to your question; We need them. They fill an empty hole in our lives. They have since torn up our back deck, eaten our lawn furniture and left holes in our gardens and yard. We couldn’t be happier that we got them.
I think you might as well start looking for another dog. I waited six months after my last dog died since I wanted a puppy but not to try housebreaking in mid winter. They were some very lonely nights.
Allan, RW here
So sorry to hear about Bear. i remember some good times with him. Like a couple of fish-ins where he ate more than anyone that attended. Then there was the Danbury Show where he stayed in the hotel room with us. {Am I remembering that right?} I also remember another Danbury show when he sat nicely behind the tying tables with us until some guy tried to get behind the table (and then behind you) to watch you tie a fly. Bear showed his teeth right to the gumline. Also Slic’s little mishap when everyone told him don’t stick your hand in the car window and Slic said “Hey! dogs love me”. Yeah, Right? R.I.P Bear.
rw
Just coming from another “dog person” , my prayer’s are with you. I can’t imagine something happening to my “babies”. I have three dog’s , Chihuahua’s by the way , that mean the world to me. I think animal’s , pet’s , serve a very important role in people’s live’s and can offer a lot. A fellow dog owner told me one time that he thought that “A dog’s love is the closest to God’s love because they offer so much to there master and ask little or nothing in return. There affection is unconditional.” I don’t know if that’s true but it’s food for thought. Once again I’m sorry for your loss and hope you find a new companion because a dog really can be man or woman’s best friend.
Very sorry, Allan.
I think it is a case of need --or at least strong appreciation of what they add to our lives. After our prior dog died, though, I waited a long time before getting another one. But that’s because I wanted the dog to have a fighting chance of outliving me.
It’s been only a few weeks since we put Penny down and I never realized that every time I walked in the door she was there and I greeted her with “Hello Small Dog!”. Now I walk in, inhale to speak, then remember there is no small dog there. I don’t know that I need a dog so much as I enjoy having a dog. For now, we are content to live in a dog-rich neighborhood and to scratch the ears of the neighbors dogs.
My dogs go with us on vacation - all 4. The ones who wait for me at the Rainbow Bridge are never far from my mind. Each one brought something to me and I am a better person. Our latest dog is an Australian Shepherd who we got when she was 2.5. She was going to a breeder, this is a great person, not a garage breeder. For various reasons she needed a new home. We bonded immediately and we took her home that day. She is different from our others, is her own dog and I would not give up the pain I feel at their passing to miss out on their love and devotion. I believe they need us and we need them. I can’t imagine life without them.
Find another to share your life, you’ll both be better for it.
Mike, along with Marje, Zoey, Coady and Caolan
I have a Border Collie that is 16 years old and I know a tough decision is coming. Currently she is still mobile and even has times where she thinks she is a puppy again. I also have a Newfoundland that turned 8 this year and I realized he also getting up in the years for a big dog. The Border helped us raise our kids and currently is helping with the grandkids although she has turned a lot of that over to the newf. Both of these dogs have been a major part of our lives, our children’s lives and our grandchildred’s lives. I know we are the better for having them around. When the time comes I will have another dog. Perhaps another newf. They are such wonderful animals. I doubt I would get another Border. Not that there is anything wrong with Border Collies. It is I am also getting older and Borders need activity or they will drive you crazy. The one we have now was the perfect dog for three kids that loved the outdoors. But without the kids I don’t think I can give one enough attention. Newfs on the other hand will just as soon lay around as do anything but are always willing to go for a walk or a swim. I am lucky that I have 1 1/2 fenced acres that a dog can run free in. It would be ashame to not have one around.
Sorry to hear of your lose. When you are ready get another dog…or two.
We had to have our Molly put to sleep the end of June. She was 12 1/2 and we got her when she was a year old. My heart still aches and tears come and go. We weren’t looking for a dog when we got her but she was a joy and blessing. We are in no hurry to get another dog, but then…
So very sorry to hear of your loss of a loving family member.
They are family aren’t they?
I know when our little Shih Tzu…Mr. Max to all who know and love him passes it will be a very sad day.
Not a day passes that he doesn’t bring joy and a big belly laugh to us all. Don’t like to think about him not being there to chase one of his toys.
I only hope I was worthy of being his friend and companion.
Had to put Rocky down in nov. this past year. some of you have met him…caught fish under water…Got Odie on june 19th, been in training since. There’s nothing like having a Dog …
All responders,
Thanks for the expressions of condolence and, of course to all of you who’ve lost dogs recently, feel your heart-strings pulled and tears swell when you think of them, you have my condolences.
I guess I should have posted a photo of my 2 dogs.
click for larger image
Bear on the left and Deezel on the right
Allan
Hi RW,
Yes, Bear shared some time with us at a few Fish-Ins. The one in 2004(?) we had a cook out at the Livingston Manor picnic area. Steaks and chicken. Another year we had a cook out at the Roscoe Motel with extra large hamburgers. Bear had a lot of leftovers, lol. After the fact, Slic kinda laughed at what had happened although I was concerned because he kept bleeding slightly due to his blood thinning meds. At the Danbury show Bear sat with me as I tyed. I combed his underfur and was tying March Browns with it. He was somewhat protective but outdoors he was friendly to everyone. Anyway, thanks for the memories. Danbury this year?
Allan
Kerry, do me a favor and kiss that sweet old border collie for me. We used to have a collie.
Thanks,
Ed
Condolences for your loss.
There’s no question dogs give us far more than the take - I don’t remember who said, “in exchange for whatever time, attention and food we can spare dogs give us everything they have. It’s the best deal mankind ever made.”
When you’re ready there will be a new best friend waiting.
[Cliff](file://\Cliff)
We put down our Chow Retriever mix Bubbabear a few years back after 17 years of wonderful companionship. I really wasn’t sure if I wanted another dog after the pain of his passing. Two months later there was no way I could not have a dog. Everyone who is a dog person needs a dog more than they wnat one. There was a void in our life with no dog in the house now we have two
Bubbabear RIP ThumperI’ll post Gretta’s picture later.
I think before you get your firsy dog, be it a puppy or a SPCA dog(I prefer puppies because they are soft and have that little puppy breath, sharp pin like teeth and claws and believe that it is with in that time the dog bonds and also learns it’s position within the family) I really think you lust want a dog, especially if you have never had one. Then you raise that puppy who go through adelesence, adulthood, senior stage and then finally death but, during that time he/she becomes an intricate part of the family dynamics. You have formed a bond like no other. There is nothing more true than the unconditional love of a dog.
When the dog dies, it’s like loosing a family member and there is a large void within your heart. Most people will go out almost directly after the passing and get another dog. For me; I can’t do that. My wife and I need time to grieve, Then if we choose, we will get her. It’s funny sometimes because you go to look for another dog but, in your mind you are saying that"This new dog will never be as good as the dog that just past" and many years later, when you are putting this one down, you are saying"you were a great companion anf nobody will be as good as you"
So I guess to make a long story short…At first you want one, Then you realize you need them. Here is my Baby. It was supposed to be my wife’s dog which we got as a puppy and the more I ignored it, the more it wanted my affection so, turns out she is my dog and we do everything together exept fishing. She likes swimming to much.
Here we are doing her favorite pastime, going for a drive. You would never know she is back there. We have gone on vacations that we drove over 3000mi. and if you did not stop to take her out. you would swear you left her home.
I just hope all folks who feel they “need” dogs take good care of them, and don’t let them run free to cause problems for other people.
