Wanted Please - Harrogate / York / Leeds area

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I've been vaguely pondering the question of whether we should get another dog before Riley goes (an event I can't even bear to think about ).

 

Just out of interest, I had a quick look to see what dogs the Cat and Dog Home (where Riley came from) has at present .

 

Looks a little familiar!

 

Any thoughts as to whether it's a good or bad idea to get a new dog now? Riley will hopefully live for a good few years so perhaps it's best to wait till we know he's really not got long ?

Edited May 4, 2012 by Guest

[Space Chick]

I'd be inclined to get another dog now, whilst Riley can still enjoy a friend. If you leave it until Riley is slowing down, he may resent a up young fitter "pest" around when he's trying to enjoy his dotage

 

That dog is gorgeous, but hasn't got Riley's gorgeous ears

 

One question I would ask though is why do you want to be a two dog household? If Riley is happy now, is there are reason to upset the apple cart? What is making you want another dog? If its because you can't bear not to have a dog after Riley's days, maybe wait until after his days (Which I hope will be many many years ahead) and then get another dog when you are ready?

 

Just pouring out what's in my head

[Duncan08]

Arrh, isn't he lovely.

 

I suppose it really depends on Riley.

 

We have had three dogs at once before, one rescue, one bought to keep the rescue company, then a week later my husbands mum died, these three became very close and actually all died within a year of each other.

 

We now have a boxer, Duncan, (thats where my user name comes from) he lives in a house of six humans and is entirely convinced he is one of us. He is very protective and gets very jealous, he is rarely left on his own. If my aunt brings her dog he worries her, and he doesnt settle down whilst she is there.

 

We were asked to take in a boxer for rehoming but it just wouldn't suit our Dunc.

 

How do you think Riley would take to a young rival?

[Lavenders_Blue]

Oh what a cutie, I love those gremlin ears! It's a tough call whether to get another dog now or later. All I would say is think about how accepting of another dog Riley might be as he gets older, especially if the new dog is fairly young. He might not enjoy having a young, boisterous, playful dog around as he gets older, although it can give some dogs a new lease of life. But obviously you know Riley best and how accepting he might be, and can choose a suitable second dog accordingly. I find it can also be difficult to walk an older dog with a younger dog - I find this when I look after my parents' 15 year old dog Harry. I have to walk Tango and Harry separately in the morning so she can have her long walk and he just gets a trot up the road. In the afternoon I take them somewhere where they can both be off lead so Harry can potter along slowly and Tango can race about, except Tango usually decides we are not going fast enough and bogs off into the distance to find her own entertainment

I must say I think I would be tempted to get another dog now, so that Riley can really enjoy having a new friend to play with and the new dog can be totally settled by the time (hopefully some years away) that Riley starts to slow down and might not appreciate an upset in his routine and family. But you know your dog best!

Decisions, decisions....

[scubababe]

If it's any use......you know Riley....if he'd be happy with a playmate this one sounds idea....why not It would be good company for him and will make his last days happier

[The Dogmother]

Not wanting to sit on the fence but I have experience of both options; when one old cat I had was getting obviously much older, I got a kitten to amuse him and eventually replace Pepsi... I'm afraid that I had to keep them apart as Millie would have made the old boy's last few months hell with her non-stop kitten-playing. Many years ago I took in a foster rescue puppy to keep my old lurcher girl company; she loved and nurtured him, teaching him how to behave and he really enriched her old age.

 

If Riley is the sort of dog which takes easily to other dogs, had you thought of fostering? Most rescues have a shortage of dog-savvy homes which can take in a dog until it finds its new home; this could be for a matter of a couple of weeks, or maybe even a few months. All feed, vets bills etc are paid for by the rescue, all you need to do is to provide it with a stable and loving home, regular exercise and plenty of exposure to the outside world.... and people who may want to adopt him/her. In my experience, all foster dogs are matched carefully with their temporary homes.

 

I used to foster when I worked from home and at one stage had 3 dogs (1 was my own... a 'failed' foster) they had special leads with 'I need a home' and the rescue's phone number on them. I really enjoyed it and would do it again in the blink of an eye if I worked from home now.

[Duncan08]

DM - I am a failed human fosterer.

Ended up keeping 2 of the foster kids

[The Dogmother]

there's nothing wrong with that.

[Duncan08]

No - But keeping kids is a really hard decision. Keeping fostered dogs, I would end up with a houseful

 

The worse thing about fostering is handing them back, and as you tell the new carer, or whoever, all of their individual likes and dislikes that you have discovered together, really makes you realise how far you have come together.

 

Its a good and a bad feeling all at once. I do recommend it really, but it is hard sometimes and you should always talk to someone who will give you all the good and bad before you embark on it.

 

I have, in a moment of haste, agreed to offer a holiday home to the chickens that the school is thinking of getting, as I was increasingly concerned they hadn't thought it all through properly - that will do me these days I think

[Egluntyne]

He does look awfully familiar. You'd have to change his name. Clive is too awful for words.

 

My friend has just adopted a GSD Akita cross called Gilbert. How's that for a quirky name?

[The Dogmother]

I know a foster dog called Dave, he's very dim so is known as Blockhead Dave

[lillybettybabs]

I thinks it's meant to be .

[Chucky Mama]

I would get another dog sooner rather than later personally. New dogs can give older dogs a new lease of life plus the older dog can train your new one up really quickly (providing they are well trained themselves!).

[Ain't Nobody Here]

After having a coffee with a friend and more or less deciding that it was meant to be and I need to go and meet "Clive" (to be known as Murphy ), I showed OH the photo and he agreed that he looks really like Riley but was pretty non-committal otherwise .

 

Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey .

[Lavenders_Blue]

to be known as Murphy

 

I think if you've already decided on a new name for him it's pretty much decision made, isn't it

[bluekarin]

Could almost be related!

 

I think, by you asking, it was a done deal

 

I have no words of wisdom. When we got Gizmo after Ollie cat died, I started thinking it was a bad idea as the cats hated each other, but after a loooong time (about a year) our two cats now tolerate each other. They will never be best friends, but they have been known to sleep on the same bed/sofa I don't know how it is with introducing dogs. I would imagine, as you can train them, they are more understanding of what people say.

 

We will go through cat and dog intros in the next couple of months when we get our puppy *squeee*

 

ps Murphy is a much better name than Clive! A Welsh Terrier at our local Dogs Trust rescue centre is called Dave. He's lovely, but just a bit too old for what we are after

[The Dogmother]

ANH, why not go to the rescue to meet him and ask if you could take him on the odd walk over the next couple of days to see how he gets on with Riley; they'll be delighted to have someone walk one of the dogs for them, and while you will have to keep him on the lead, you'll get an idea of how he is.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

That's a good idea, DM . However, OH is still very underwhelmed by my plan . He doesn't think much of the name Murphy either . He did say he'd probably come home one day and "Murphy" would be here though . He knows resistance is futile .

 

I'm still a little unsure though, we have a lovely life with Riley and a new dog would shake that up completely.

 

I'm going to phone the Cat & Dog Home tomorrow and find out his history and how old he is. We wouldn't really want a dog more than a couple of years old.

 

I'm losing my youngest to Uni in September so I really need something to look after when he's gone - perhaps some pre-empty nest tears would help my cause .

[The Dogmother]

Go on, drag the OH out to walk Murphy this weekend; he'll fall in love if you give him some treats to give to the dog.

 

He knows it's not worth chewing through the leather straps, or resisting a woman who's made up her mind

[Seagazer]

Wow he really could be Riley's brother. I love the name Murphy too. I think its almost a done deal, you sound as if your hubby already knows he's coming home.

 

I do understand your reticience though and I really think you should take Riley along to meet him and take them for walks together. It is a big decision and it will obviously make a difference to your house. I have faith that you will manage out any problems that may occur. Ooh its so exciting.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Well, it's not to be, sadly . I phoned the Home and they said he's about 7 or 8, much older than we would like. Also, although he's lovely and they're all really fond of him, he does have issues about being top dog and wouldn't be a good fit with an existing older dog. He was rehomed but brought back because they couldn't cope with him .

 

At least the decision has been made for me.

 

OH forwarded me an email from a colleague with a link to another rescue centre near Edinburgh .

 

He is set on getting a collie/cross but I'm not sure - I've heard they can be quite hyper and need a huge amount of stimulation and exercise. I only work 3 days but I'm out from 8 till after 4. I don't think that would fit in with Riley's current needs .

[The Dogmother]

Sorry to hear that ANH, perhaps it just wasn't meant to be.

 

Sounds like OH is on plan now. Collie-crosses can be rather busy TBH.

[Chucky Mama]

I am sure that the right dog will find you ANH. Collie crosses are OK if their behaviour has been 'diluted' by the cross. You can't really tell until you meet them. I wouldn't rule one out.

[The Dogmother]

They can be really bright and loving. Ruby is a beardy cross lurcher; she's really loving, bright and full of energy but can be over excited at times.

[Duncan08]

My Aunt has border collies, as had my friend.

 

I have some recycled furniture from both of them. The teeth marks give it a good rustic feel!!

 

Seriously though, it will depend on what the cross is and each dog will of course have its own personality. Collies do tend to need a lot of exercise.

 

My friends was a rescue who ended up arriving pregnant, she (the dog) never liked to be indoors, so they set up an outside run and kennel for her.

 

My Aunts dogs live in the country and also spend a lot of time outdoors, whilst they are not working dogs, they are not curled up by the fire asleep all afternoon dogs either.