What do you think?

DH wants to get another dog so our 2 year old Yorkie has a playmate and some company while we're at work all day.
I LOVE love love dogs, and I LOVE her, BUT, part of me feels like getting a SECOND is just a lot more work and responsibility and I feel guilty enough leaving Lola all day while we're at work. We're also hoping to have a baby in the near future .........

I know I sound a little crazy, but I don't know if it's the RIGHT thing to do for both Lola and the possible new doggie to get a second one, or if it's an AWFUL thing to do, since we'll be leaving 2 dogs alone while we're at work ......... - Plus, hopefully having a baby in the house soon ........

I mean, the dogs can't TELL you if they're happy or miserable or feeling neglected or replaced or I don't know.........whatever !! Or am I just projecting 'people' feelings onto my dog?

What do you all think would be the RIGHT thing to do?

Re: What do you think?

I agree with your DH and did just that. I hated leaving my boy alone when we would go out. He would be so sad and lonely and wait so bored by the door. So we got another dog of the same breed from our breeder and got him a baby sister. It was the best thing we ever did. Yes it is more work, much more. Costs more, can be more frustrating but is also more fun, more love and great to have a companion for your dog. Esp if you have a child and are busy out and about with the child, I really think doggies prefer to be in a pack and have a friend around.

So for me, it was the best thing I did but I also really wanted another dog. And yes, we planned on having kids too but felt since we didn't have any, it was def the right time to get doggie #2. In addition, I didn't want my doggie to feel slighted when we would go out just the two of us, or worse, when we have a child and the poor doggie watches his family walk out the door leaving him behind. I am a sap when it comes to my pets.

Worked out great for us, I even want a 3rd to be honest.

Message edited 6/17/2008 1:16:38 PM.

Re: What do you think?

Thanks for your input - Those are all of our reasons for thinking we should get #2 ........ -

We purchased Lola from a pet store, which I won't do again - But I don't know any other way to find a dog .......... I have to begin the research process for finding another Yorkie puppy.

I'm pretty sure I'll need to get the same breed, I'm allergic to almost everything !!

Re: What do you think?

Message edited 6/17/2008 1:45:55 PM.

Re: What do you think?

We also got a second dog as a playmate for our first, and it gave us such peace of mind knowing that they had each other and could hang out together while we were at work instead of the one dog being all alone.

I think it was a much easier transition from one to two, than it was getting the first one to begin with. As far as the work and responsibility, think of it this way: you're already doing all that stuff anyway! It just takes a minor amount of extra effort to do for two what you're already doing for one.

I wasn't sure about getting another one at first either... I even wondered what would happen if I didn't grow to like the new dog, since I loved our first dog so much! Only you can ultimately decide what the right decision for your family is, but now that I have hindsight, OUR right decision when we were in your position was definitely getting a second dog.

Re: What do you think?