I've lost dogs before. It's never any better, but it has always been
different.

When I lost my first dog, he was an only dog, and was 15.5 yo. He had
been with me since I was 14, so his impact on my life was huge. I had
2 cats at home, but caring for them was not the same as caring for a
dog. I got a loaner dog for a bit (my sister's lab who stayed a lot
anyway), and then got a new puppy about 2 months later.

The second time I lost a dog, she was one of 2. I hated how hard it hit
the remaining dog, along with us. I adopted an adult dog very quickly
afterward, although that was not my plan. She was just the right dog at
the right time.

Not too far off when I lost dog #3. He was one of 2 and when he passed,
I brought a new puppy home in about 6 months, but had a visiting dog
(same dog who subbed for the first one!) in between, so the existing dog
was ok.

Now I've lost dog #4 and 2 remain. They have a great relationship but
we're definitely low on dog energy here. We've discussed this here a
lot, but 3 dogs is the right thing for a few if not several of us. 2
feels lost.

I am in no rush. There will be a 3rd dog, but it's a distance off. I
will enjoy my 2 gold dogs, do things with them that are "different" than
if there were 3, and when the time is right, a new black dog will join
the pack.

It hasn't been quite 2 years since I've had 3 permanent dogs, but I
can't imagine ever going back (and fortunately, neither can DH!).

Just musing on a late Sunday afternoon, and missing my best boy.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

Just musing on a late Sunday afternoon, and missing my best boy.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

Muse away.... you've earned it. And I enjoy your thoughts, as we ponder
jumping into our first...... a dog #2 - a darling 4 month old yellow labby
boy we met dockdiving yesterday.

Sue and Atty (who's not quite sure she wants a brother, or rather, doesn't
think the bed is big enough for a brother, after all, she IS the queen.)

In article ,
"Sue and Atty" wrote:

a darling 4 month old yellow labby
boy we met dockdiving yesterday.

I heartily recommend dog #2 and a labby pup to boot. Tell Atty she'll
love him.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

I've lost dogs before. It's never any better, but it has always been
different.


The first and only dog I lost was the poodle we had growing up. I was 4
when we got her and 19 when she died. I was off at college by that point
but I always missed her when I left from the week (or two but never three!).
She was definately my mom's dog and just tolerated the rest of us but I
still missed her quite a bit. Now, I have my own dogs and it is a very very
different relationship and responsibility. I always say that I will be
completely lost without them and hope when they do finally go, I am in a
different part of my life where their loss won't seem a huge as it would
now. Not that I will ever be ready.



When I lost my first dog, he was an only dog, and was 15.5 yo. He had
been with me since I was 14, so his impact on my life was huge. I had
2 cats at home, but caring for them was not the same as caring for a
dog. I got a loaner dog for a bit (my sister's lab who stayed a lot
anyway), and then got a new puppy about 2 months later.

The second time I lost a dog, she was one of 2. I hated how hard it hit
the remaining dog, along with us. I adopted an adult dog very quickly
afterward, although that was not my plan. She was just the right dog at
the right time.

Not too far off when I lost dog #3. He was one of 2 and when he passed,
I brought a new puppy home in about 6 months, but had a visiting dog
(same dog who subbed for the first one!) in between, so the existing dog
was ok.


did you always have retrievers? I remember you talking about Teddy before,
which dog was he in the above sequence?



It hasn't been quite 2 years since I've had 3 permanent dogs, but I
can't imagine ever going back (and fortunately, neither can DH!).


I am glad to hear that you and DH are on the same page here.


Just musing on a late Sunday afternoon, and missing my best boy.


I've been thinking about you a lot this weekend and commenting to my mom
about how bad I feel when someone I 'know' loses a dog. I am sure they
don't understand, they rarely do, but I feel like I know most of the people
here and their dogs, so its something that I do think about when it happens.
If only all those thoughts could be more useful though, like for making
beloved pets last as long as we do.

Janet Boss said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

I am in no rush.

When you're finally in a rush, you'll know it's the right time.

Just musing on a late Sunday afternoon, and missing my best
boy.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

Janet,
I think of you and Franklin especially when I go to get treats. You
mentioned before, taking one less now. I vividly remember all of my
dogs that have gone before me. I will never forget them, all special in
different ways.
About the only good thing is that Franklin wasn't ill and suffering
for a long time.
I am sure the right dog will come along for you, not to replace
Franklin, just to fill your home when you are ready.
I cannot stop thinking about my daughter and her loss of Larsen, that
is what keeps Franklin in my heart also.


Be Free.....Judy

Sue and Atty wrote:


Just musing on a late Sunday afternoon, and missing my best boy.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

Muse away.... you've earned it. And I enjoy your thoughts, as we ponder
jumping into our first...... a dog #2 - a darling 4 month old yellow labby
boy we met dockdiving yesterday.

Sue and Atty (who's not quite sure she wants a brother, or rather, doesn't
think the bed is big enough for a brother, after all, she IS the queen.)

My 2 chihuahuas sleep with me and are constantly arguing over who gets to
sleep exactly where. Usually it ends up that one sleeps on one side of me and
the other on the opposite side. But sometimes it takes a good fight to get to
that point. Fortunately for both of them they never injure each other but to
hear it, you'd think they were going to kill each other. Is there any dog
more jealous than a chihuahua?

In article ,
"MauiJNP" wrote:


did you always have retrievers? I remember you talking about Teddy before,
which dog was he in the above sequence?

He was dog #3. Died from cancer shortly before he would have been 12.
Always retrievers of some sort - Lab mix, Golden or FCR.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

In article ,
Rocky wrote:


When you're finally in a rush, you'll know it's the right time.

Thanks Matt - I trust the voice of experience on this one.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

Janet Boss wrote in news:janet-
:

when the time is right, a new black dog will join
the pack.


We at my house heartily endorse this plan!

--
Catherine
& Zoe the cockerchow
& Queenie the black gold retriever
& Max the pomeranian
& Rosalie the calico cat