I'm really torn about getting another dog. Life is easier with one, but I'm
thinking its better for Tok to have company when we work.

Whats your opinion?

And I'm considerinng putting out on the alaska dog people list to "borrow" a
dog for a week and see how Tok feels. Is this stupid?

"Beth In Alaska" wrote in
:

I'm really torn about getting another dog. Life is easier with one,
but I'm thinking its better for Tok to have company when we work.

Whats your opinion?

And I'm considerinng putting out on the alaska dog people list to
"borrow" a dog for a week and see how Tok feels. Is this stupid?




Wait.....what did I miss.

We're missing a Kavik. Did a sad thing happen?

Tara

"Beth In Alaska" wrote in message
...
I'm really torn about getting another dog. Life is easier with one, but
I'm thinking its better for Tok to have company when we work.

Whats your opinion?

And I'm considerinng putting out on the alaska dog people list to
"borrow" a dog for a week and see how Tok feels. Is this stupid?

I didn't even want to get my first dog, Muttley, but after he settled down
I am now glad I have him. I certainly didn't want another dog when my
friend rescued Lucky, but I felt that I had to take her out of the other
situation where she was placed. Fortunately, Muttley and Lucky could be
socialized together in a controlled environment at the kennel where she was
being boarded, and after her spay operation it seemed like the two of them
were getting along OK. But it has been a constant struggle, and I find
myself constantly figuring out how to handle the two dogs. You can read my
posts about the joys and sorrows of having IMHO one dog "two" many.

There should be local shelters that have fosters for dogs, and I'm sure
someone who is fostering a dog would welcome a break if you could care for
one at your home with your dog. But you should also consider how much your
dog enjoys playing with other dogs, or if he seems better alone. I think
Muttley is happier when he is on his own in the house, and he never seems
to have any separation anxiety. Lucky seems to be a more social dog, and
might be happier with another dog, although I don't think Muttley is much
amused.

So, even though the two dogs are usually OK with each other, they do have
issues that make them probably unsafe to leave alone together. So I have
had to keep Lucky in her crate for most of the night and day, even when I
am here, and almost always when I am gone. It does not seem fair to her.

I will probably be surrendering her to Defenders of Animal Rights either
Tuesday or Wednesday, if they have room. I will be sad to see her go, but
right now I am in Muttley's company while she sleeps in her crate
downstairs. I only interact with her for maybe an hour a day on walks and
during the brief times I can let her out with Muttley. I immensely enjoyed
the times I had her with me to visit the vet and other places, as she is
really very sweet, well behaved, attentive, and easy to walk. But I can't
go on managing, but not really enjoying, both dogs.

I wish you success, and the more dogs you can comfortably take in, the
better, because you will be saving their lives and allowing other dogs to
have a chance. But be aware that some dogs require more attention than
others, and their needs may interfere with what you need to do, and cause
stress in your life, and theirs.

Paul, Muttley and Lucky

"Tara" wrote in message
4.196...
"Beth In Alaska" wrote in
:

I'm really torn about getting another dog. Life is easier with one,
but I'm thinking its better for Tok to have company when we work.

Whats your opinion?

And I'm considerinng putting out on the alaska dog people list to
"borrow" a dog for a week and see how Tok feels. Is this stupid?




Wait.....what did I miss.

We're missing a Kavik. Did a sad thing happen?

Tara

Kavik died very suddenly when we were on vacation in july. Apparently, he
probably had a blood clot in his brain and he died instantly. Been very
difficult not only because he was young and healthy, but because we weren't
here.

"Beth In Alaska" wrote in message
...

"Tara" wrote in message
4.196...
"Beth In Alaska" wrote in
:

I'm really torn about getting another dog. Life is easier with one,
but I'm thinking its better for Tok to have company when we work.

Whats your opinion?

And I'm considerinng putting out on the alaska dog people list to
"borrow" a dog for a week and see how Tok feels. Is this stupid?




Wait.....what did I miss.

We're missing a Kavik. Did a sad thing happen?

Tara

Kavik died very suddenly when we were on vacation in july. Apparently, he
probably had a blood clot in his brain and he died instantly. Been very
difficult not only because he was young and healthy, but because we
weren't
here.


Oh Beth, I'm so very sorry to hear about Kavik. It's understandable how
devastated you feel about not being there. How tragic.

Yes, it was easier with only one. But every time I took Gracie for a walk,
if she saw another dog in a backyard, she would whimper, as if to say "I
really want to go and play." At first I didnt put two and two together.
But eventually I began to watch and sure enough, that was what Gracie was
saying to me. She wanted somebody to play with, somebody who could chase
around the yard with her. That was why I began looking for another dog.

She and Merlin are like naughty siblings. They tug constantly with toys and
ropes between them. Chase around the yard zooming as fast as they can go.
Sometimes if you saw them together, you'd swear they hated each other, the
way they can *fight* with each other. But then in another moment, they will
be curled up together taking a nap. Snuggled right up together, heiny to
heiny as we refer to it. So all in all, I'm happy with the pair of 'em.

td

"tiny dancer" wrote in message
.. .

"Beth In Alaska" wrote in message
...

"Tara" wrote in message
4.196...
"Beth In Alaska" wrote in
:

I'm really torn about getting another dog. Life is easier with one,
but I'm thinking its better for Tok to have company when we work.

Whats your opinion?

And I'm considerinng putting out on the alaska dog people list to
"borrow" a dog for a week and see how Tok feels. Is this stupid?




Wait.....what did I miss.

We're missing a Kavik. Did a sad thing happen?

Tara

Kavik died very suddenly when we were on vacation in july. Apparently,
he
probably had a blood clot in his brain and he died instantly. Been very
difficult not only because he was young and healthy, but because we
weren't
here.


Oh Beth, I'm so very sorry to hear about Kavik. It's understandable how
devastated you feel about not being there. How tragic.

Yes, it was easier with only one. But every time I took Gracie for a
walk,
if she saw another dog in a backyard, she would whimper, as if to say "I
really want to go and play." At first I didnt put two and two together.
But eventually I began to watch and sure enough, that was what Gracie was
saying to me. She wanted somebody to play with, somebody who could chase
around the yard with her. That was why I began looking for another dog.

She and Merlin are like naughty siblings. They tug constantly with toys
and
ropes between them. Chase around the yard zooming as fast as they can go.
Sometimes if you saw them together, you'd swear they hated each other, the
way they can *fight* with each other. But then in another moment, they
will
be curled up together taking a nap. Snuggled right up together, heiny to
heiny as we refer to it. So all in all, I'm happy with the pair of 'em.



toks never been without a dog in his whole life . And he loves dogs. And he
gets along with ALL dogs. But finding a dog that meets my "child friendly"
standards isn't going to be easy. And one dog is more mobile - like I can
walk tok and push a stroller at the same time. but not two dogs.

"Beth In Alaska" wrote in message
...

"tiny dancer" wrote in message
.. .

"Beth In Alaska" wrote in message
...

"Tara" wrote in message
4.196...
"Beth In Alaska" wrote in
:

I'm really torn about getting another dog. Life is easier with one,
but I'm thinking its better for Tok to have company when we work.

Whats your opinion?

And I'm considerinng putting out on the alaska dog people list to
"borrow" a dog for a week and see how Tok feels. Is this stupid?




Wait.....what did I miss.

We're missing a Kavik. Did a sad thing happen?

Tara

Kavik died very suddenly when we were on vacation in july. Apparently,
he
probably had a blood clot in his brain and he died instantly. Been very
difficult not only because he was young and healthy, but because we
weren't
here.


Oh Beth, I'm so very sorry to hear about Kavik. It's understandable how
devastated you feel about not being there. How tragic.

Yes, it was easier with only one. But every time I took Gracie for a
walk,
if she saw another dog in a backyard, she would whimper, as if to say "I
really want to go and play." At first I didnt put two and two together.
But eventually I began to watch and sure enough, that was what Gracie
was
saying to me. She wanted somebody to play with, somebody who could
chase
around the yard with her. That was why I began looking for another dog.

She and Merlin are like naughty siblings. They tug constantly with toys
and
ropes between them. Chase around the yard zooming as fast as they can
go.
Sometimes if you saw them together, you'd swear they hated each other,
the
way they can *fight* with each other. But then in another moment, they
will
be curled up together taking a nap. Snuggled right up together, heiny
to
heiny as we refer to it. So all in all, I'm happy with the pair of 'em.



toks never been without a dog in his whole life . And he loves dogs. And
he
gets along with ALL dogs. But finding a dog that meets my "child
friendly"
standards isn't going to be easy. And one dog is more mobile - like I
can
walk tok and push a stroller at the same time. but not two dogs.


Seems there are positives and negatives, could go either way. Perhaps
trying one out isn't such a bad idea? Or maybe a shelter dog that is known
to be docile around children?

td

"Beth In Alaska" spoke these words of
wisdom in :

I'm really torn about getting another dog. Life is easier with one, but
I'm thinking its better for Tok to have company when we work.

Whats your opinion?

And I'm considerinng putting out on the alaska dog people list to
"borrow" a dog for a week and see how Tok feels. Is this stupid?




I borrowed a dog when Senja died for Danny.It worked out so well that I
bought Reka. You know how that turned out.

GREAT idea!

In article ,
Beth In Alaska wrote:
Whats your opinion?

You've done it - you know the tradeoffs. I think it's a
matter of figuring out what your own priorities are.
Sometimes I miss being able to throw the tent in the car and
load up the dog and go camping for a weekend, but on the
other hand I couldn't tell you the last time I had a day
where I didn't have a good, long laugh (other then when I've
had to travel without them).

And I'm considerinng putting out on the alaska dog people list to "borrow" a
dog for a week and see how Tok feels. Is this stupid?

No, but it might not tell you much. You'll be in the
infamous "honeymoon period" the whole time, and it may be
the case that they wouldn't get along immediately but would
love each other in a few weeks, or vice versa. On the other
hand there's really nothing to lose. Hard to say.

The sleddog overpopulation problem around Fairbanks is
really sickening and the Second Chance League is always
looking for people to foster (and to adopt!).
http://members.petfinder.org/~AK17/index.php
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community

Beth In Alaska wrote:

And I'm considerinng putting out on the alaska dog people list to "borrow" a
dog for a week and see how Tok feels. Is this stupid?

I am not the person to ask about adding a second dog. I do think
your borrow-a-dog plan is good, though.

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)