This isn't a blog post for Liz and I, it's more of a request of comments from anyone reading. Should we get another dog? After seeing Daisy so happy in Colorado with Libbie, and seeing her so worn out from all the fun with Dewey this past weekend, we just can't get over the fact that she is the happiest when she has a friend around, human or dog. This morning Liz went out to vote and when she came back I was leaving. She said Daisy was extremely energetic and went to get a toy and wanted to play, but Liz had to get ready so Liz brought her upstairs and put her in our room while Liz got ready. Daisy immediately went under the bed to sulk and lay down. She was not happy. Of course we love dogs but having two is a big step. Although we'd get a dog exactly the same size as Daisy, a Chihuahua/Dachshund. We can't decide what to do so we decided to start a pros and cons list:
Pros:
Daisy gets constant entertainment and love and more exercise.
Because of that, she'll probably sleep longer and we'll sleep longer.
We get more love and entertainment.
We won't feel guilty leaving her home because she'll have a friend.
She can have a partner in crime to finally take Dewey down.
We will be taking care and saving another dog.
We won't feel guilty about having Daisy ride in the back seat where she belongs because she'll have a friend back there.
Other than Daisy's diarrhea problems that we have finally solved, she has been a very cheap dog, and not financially difficult at all. She had the initial Vet visit where we had to buy all the yearly pills and medicine, but that's it. Financial troubles for dogs dont occur until they are older when we will be more financially secure.
Cons:
It's twice as expensive:
- Vet bills
- Kenneling
- Food
- Toys and another crate
Taking Daisy on a plane wouldn't be happening anymore since we'd have two dogs.
Can't guarantee they would get along, they may fight. But we'd get a boy dog so it's more likely they get along.
Back to training a dog again and breaking bad habits. To be honest, we aren't even done breaking Daisy's bad habits.
More dog hair lying around.
Feeding would be harder, the dogs makes it complicated.
Walking would be a little harder with two dogs.
Our friends probably wouldn't be as likely to take care of two dogs as opposed to just Daisy.
We don't yet have a kennel we like, so we have to find one.
A few places we've taken Daisy, probably isn't a place we can go with two dogs, like other people's houses and a few trips we've gone on.
When we have kids, having two dogs is a lot harder to manage than just one.
Liz said not too long ago, the fact that we have a constant friend for Daisy is a larger Pro than any Con we could come up with. So we are torn. Oh what to do?
I'll probably add some more Pros and Cons throughout the next few days, so there may be updates.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Double Dose of Daisy
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8 comments:
Daisy can totally take Dewey down all on her own! In fact, we're contemplating getting another lab just so Dewey can finally stand a chance against Daisy!
By: Julie on May 6, 2008 at 7:18 PM
not sure if that means yes we should or no we shouldn't... :)
By: Fulton on May 6, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Just be sure it's a dog who doesn't mind being bitten in the ankles! :)
My first reaction to your post was, "Of course they should get another dog," but then when I read all of your cons, I thought...ooh. That's a lot to deal with. Hmmm...hopefully someone who has more than one dog will comment and give you some perspective. All the people I know who have multiples seem very happy!
By: Hillary on May 7, 2008 at 1:18 AM
does daisy seem sad or like she needs another friend? or do you just feel guilty:)
good luck taking care of two. my guess is that they'll wear you out more than each other!
http://www.petbehaviourcentre.com/us/us_articles/us_second.htm
By: jonchase on May 7, 2008 at 9:54 AM
and no we are not going to get another lab to help dewey
By: jonchase on May 7, 2008 at 9:54 AM
i think both, she seems sad when we leave and we also feel guilty. it goes both ways... we go back and forth on the issue... we might wait until Yelizaveta comes and possibly until after she leaves, that way she isn't overwhelmed by two rowdy pups.
By: Fulton on May 8, 2008 at 9:49 AM
We had the exact same thoughts after watching Gris play so well and have so much fun with my friends dog on a trip. Gris is also very high strung - so we selfishly wanted to get another dog so they could wear each other out! Easier on us :)
We've had Cash for just over a year now and I'd say it was a very good decision!!
Comments:
1 - Grisman has little to zero of the separation anxiety issues he had. (which is also probably due to the fact he now lives in one place - before we were taking him back and forth between two houses)
2 - They play great together! They really are best buds.
3 - They both bring us lots of joy!
4 - They actually share a crate. (They are both 45 pound dogs!) We didn't put them in the same crate - they just started going into the same crate on their own. I think they like the company during the day - plus in the winter it keeps them warm!
5 - Boarding is more expensive. (This is probably our biggest expense - or seems it!) They usually share a kennel but it only saves a couple bucks. If we have friends watch them - they come to our house to take care of them since we have a fenced in yard - it's just easier!
6 - Double the food, double the pills/shots, double the boarding. Double the grooming if you have dogs that need to be groomed!
7 - Double the barking. Um that's what we get for having one dog that's part beagle and another that is pure bread black and tan coonhound!
8 - We haven't spent much time training either of them. So I guess you could say, double the bad manners! :) That's our fault!
I am not a dog (or animal) person at all. But I do love our two pups. They are great little guys to have around - and always entertaining us! So my vote is to go for it!! :)
(We also got Cash at 4 months old - so we had very little of the puppy phase to go thru - that was nice!)
By: Jilian on May 12, 2008 at 6:10 PM
yeah an update on the situation is coming... but lets just say... we've made a decision.
By: Fulton on May 13, 2008 at 7:40 AM
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