posted 01-06-2004 04:49 AM         

Nala is still a hyper dog, but she is calming down (slowly but surely). For instance, mornings are usually pretty calm now. This morning I washed dishes and cleaned the kitchen and she wandered around and finally gave up and went to chew on a bone. Granted, the cats weren't in the room.

I seem to have this habit of waiting until life starts to get too simple and then throwing a monkey wrench into the works. But I also remember how it was going from one human child to two - I worried about my first not getting as much attention, I worried about the logistics of two kids - and it was hard at the beginning but then they played with each other and entertained each other and it just got better as time went on. Now they are good friends and have a good relationship.

So anyway, I realize dogs and humans are a different thing.

Here are my pros and cons so far:

I know my husband doesn't really want another dog, but I think he also figures we will end up with one sometime anyway. I think he liked the idea of fostering in case it didn't work out, the dog would just go to a new home and we could quit fostering.

Two dogs would be harder to walk, more expensive to feed, probably harder to train. But Rawlings is calmer and more of a cuddler. I wonder if he would teach Nala to be calmer. Or if she would teach him to be hyper.

Two dogs might entertain each other. Our yard is big enough for them to get a lot of exercise playing together.

Two dogs would be harder to take places, like camping or festivals. They would take up more room in the car. They would be more expensive to board over vacations.

Two dogs would cost more in vet bills. But at least Rawlings has all his shots and is neutered. He would just need a checkup and a crate for now.

Rawlings might have housetraining issues. (The worker at the shelter thinks his issues may have been separation anxiety - would this improve with another dog at home with him, or not if they are both in crates?) He might have a different personality surface once he adjusts to our home.

Two dogs might chase the cats more - or they might chase them less.

Two dogs might rile each other up and destroy what little calm time we have.

Two dogs might become fast friends and be less lonely during the day when we are gone (how does this work if they are both crated? maybe an ex pen out back when the weather is nice?)

I don't have a good answer for "why we want another dog" beyond I fell in love with this guy and he and Nala would both have companions.

Anyone with two or more dogs have a perspective on this?

posted 01-06-2004 06:13 AM         

The bad thing about having so many dogs is walk times my dogs get frustrated if they become seperated as they have a very close bond.

The cost of vet bills is increased food bills i wouldnt say they were as i buy in bulk and only buy sensitive food for mitzy as she has had a funny yummy since she was born other than that food isnt an issue.

Bath time is even worse when they all want to get in the shower well its bad enough giving one a bath hehehehe.

Bed time is ok only mitzy comes to bed with me the others like to just sleep wherever they are lay mitzy on the other hand loves the comfort of my bed i cant even lay on sofa and watch tv without her being on there with me..

I dont think my house would be the same with only 1 dog now they teach each other so much same as when any of my bitches have pups they other dogs help look after them.

Mitzy never had pups and she tries to mother them i have even known her to steal one from the whelping box and go hide with it hehehe.

But i would go with getting another dog if your sure you have the time and patience for another i would say go for it.

posted 01-06-2004 11:59 AM         

1) cost - vet and medication bills - it's not only the annual shots, but also the unexpected visits, and especially the medication (mine are on both Sentinel and Frontline). Simple math: more is more than one.....
- food - it depends on what you feed them. it's usually not a tremenduous extra amount to be spent.
- treats - again it depends on you.
- toys - a little more expense there, because they will destroy them a lot quicker.
2) Your spare time - the more dogs you have (especially big ones), the more time you're going to spend moping. At least mine turn the house into a nightmare when it raines. I have to mop 3-4 times a day.
3) walking - having two instead of one is not a big deal, you can take them both at the same time. Having more than two is a problem, you have to take turns and at least mine go berserk when thay have to wait for their turn to be taken out for a walk.
4) training - I would say is better with more than one. They have a tendency to learn from each other.

Now the BIG pros:
- They are social animals and they LOVE the company of another "partner in crime" i.e. another dog
....and if there were for nothing else ..... you get TWICE the amount of love and kisses you're getting now. To me, that was enough to make me want more than one. Plus the satisfaction of knowing that I'm giving a happy life to one more miserablr little orphan (all of mine are rescues)...

posted 01-06-2004 07:03 PM         

We will see if he is still there at the end of the week...