Dogs.

[garry1p]

I have owned or been owned by many, many dogs and one cat over the years and never paid for one.
Once our boys all moved on and the last dog passed away we decided no more pets and gave the cat away.

After my wife passed away I figured I probably needed a pet so my neighbor provided me with a kitten and I really never cared for cats but this kitten turned out OK, very loving and low maintenance.
She loves climbing tress no mater how high. The problem is she is an excellent hunter and has depleted all the squirrels, rabbits and voles in and around the house.
At some point I figured the cat was never going to make a good watch dog so,7 months after getting the cat I broke down and bought a Bichon puppy. 1st time I ever paid for an animal and had said many times I would never pay for a dog but, I wanted a little dog so I broke down and bought her from a reputable dealer.

The cat assumed it was her baby and mothers her to this day and puts up with the dog constantly aggravating her.
From the time the dog was a puppy the cat would bring, still alive squirrels, rabbits and voles turn them loose for the puppy to chase trying to teach the puppy how to hunt.

Since we always had mutts I was not prepared for a high maintenance critter like this dog turned out to be every 5 weeks to the groomers, in less than 3 years $2500 in vet bills.
The dog TIKI loves going to Walmart riding in the buggy and just about everybody "saying look at the puppy, how cute" and the kids wanting to pet her. She is the most loving dig in existence she loves everybody and all animals.

We live in a rural area so the dogs highlights are FedEx, UPS and the garbage truck the cat runs from them all and the dog runs to greet them.

 

[gsganzer]

Steve Tym,
Sorry for your loss. My first lab lived 14 years. He was my "wingman" when he was a puppy and helped me to break the ice, when I met my wife 22 years ago. He then helped raise my 2 daughters and all the other neighborhood kids, aways standing watch.

After him, I bought a black mouth cur puppy. He ended up being my little buddy that followed me everywhere. When I'd travel out of town, my wife said he would be lost, awaiting my return. When I'd come home, he'd whimper and wiggle with excitement and would never let me out of his sight. Unfortunately, he fell ill and had to be put down at 7. It still bums me out as I was out of town when he had to be put down. Sort of feel like I let him down.

I'm slowly getting prepared for another dog, but I'm not there yet. I love the joy a dog can bring, but it just seems like I've had too much other loss around me lately. It's taking me a bit to wade back into that pool, as crazy as that sounds.

 

[ponytug]

@gsganzer It sounds like you have had some great companions. When you are ready, you are ready. It is your life.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Sigarms]

One of my most favorite pics.

My dad and "crew" (Shepard mix in front was Honey, and the black dog just to the left of my dad's elbow was Buddy, two in foster care at the time, and Jack isn't in the pic probably waiting for my dad to throw the ball and he was in "foster care" as well). This was before we had any children in our home.

Everyone in the picture has long left this earth. No kids in the house now, and 15 years later, down to 4 dogs and 2 cats, and later this month taking another dog for the dreaded ride to the vet.

 

[scootr]

Well, I lost my dog Tag last week. He was old and blind and something seriously failed. It was a great loss for me. He was a Queensland Heeler and in true Heeler tradition He stuck close by my side and slept pressed up against me so he would know if I got up so he could get up too. He was 11 but it seemed like he was always here on the ranch waiting when I got home.
The last time I lost a dog I waited 3 yrs to get another. Now I'm torn between being dog free after caring 5 yrs for a blind dog. And wanting a new puppy.

 

[Jstpssng]

Well, I lost my dog Tag last week. He was old and blind and something seriously failed. It was a great loss for me. He was a Queensland Heeler and in true Heeler tradition He stuck close by my side and slept pressed up against me so he would know if I got up so he could get up too. He was 11 but it seemed like he was always here on the ranch waiting when I got home.
The last time I lost a dog I waited 3 yrs to get another. Now I'm torn between being dog free after caring 5 yrs for a blind dog. And wanting a new puppy.View attachment 2905565

I am sorry to hear that. It seems like being blind must have brought you even closer together than normal.
If and when is a rough decision. I lost Ruger in August 2023. I looked into getting another last fall but realized that I didn't want to take time to train it yet. I still find myself talking to him though and am starting to feel like Mr BoJangles. I foresee a puppy in the very near future.

That is a great picture of Tag.

 

[jyoutz]

I am sorry to hear that. It seems like being blind must have brought you even closer together than normal.
If and when is a rough decision. I lost Ruger in August 2023. I looked into getting another last fall but realized that I didn't want to take time to train it yet. I still find myself talking to him though and am starting to feel like Mr BoJangles. I foresee a puppy in the very near future.

That is a great picture of Tag.

Every puppy we have had, I sign up for the training classes at Petsmart. Usually the instructors are good and the training goes well.

 

[Jstpssng]

Every puppy we have had, I sign up for the training classes at Petsmart. Usually the instructors are good and the training goes well.

I have a friend who is a retired k-9 cop from Philadelphia, now working with people to break the bad habits they have taught their dogs. The biggest thing is to practice what they teach.

I just didn't have the time or interest to train a dog last fall.

 

[2manyrocks]

I adopted a 3.5 year old GSD mix from the humane society who was already well trained and well behaved.

 

[Jstpssng]

I adopted a 3.5 year old GSD mix from the humane society who was already well trained and well behaved.

I looked at a 4 YO yellow lab at the shelter and took him for a walk. Even after being there for several weeks I could tell that he was easily trainable but also realized I wasn't ready for another dog. He also had some toenail issues which made me nervous. I felt very guilty about not taking him but it just didn't feel right.

So I bought a telescope that day instead.