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iL Dottore
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I am missing my dog hugely (he's living with my soon to be ex-wife). He was also my first dog apart from a spell of a few months looking after friends' beagle

 

His companionship would have been hugely beneficial to me through this difficult year.

 

My circumstances have not made it possible for me to get another but I will do as soon as possible. I used to take Mowgli with me visiting my father and I think that it did Dad a lot of good.

 

You are right, of course, that it is a big commitment financially which I think a lot of people do not realise.

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Sorry to hear about your beagle.  We had to have Max put down several years ago and we've had to have our 20 year old tabby put down just before this second lockdown, and we now have other dogs and cats,  You will still miss him in years to come.  If you do get another dog, no matter how good he may be, he won't be the one you have lost.  The same as you can't replace a human member of the family.  

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On 21/11/2020 at 09:52, Winter123 said:

Looking for some advice from all you dog lovers out there.

 

As I had previously posted, I lost my Beagle in June which was probably the worst experience I have ever faced. He was my first dog and obviously most people on here have been through this painful experience. I initially wanted to get this catastrophic year out the way as I also lost my Mum 4 weeks after my dog and had to give up my job to care for her, so throw in the Covid nightmare and things couldn't have been any worse.

 

My thought process was to start tentatively looking into the possibility of a new addition in springtime next year. Hopefully the weather will be better for training, socialisation etc then and I may also be further down the road to recovery.

 

My friend has informed me that her contact has just had a litter and merely wanted to let me know. Personally, I still feel its too soon but is there ever a 'right' time to move on or come to terms with everything? I also care for my Dad at the moment, who is doing OK but needs my support. So just weighing everything up emotionally and financially. 

 

If anyone out there can advise, share their similar experiences or reassure that you can move forward with another dog I would be humbled to draw on those opinions. Many thanks

 

My advice FWIW would be to get another dog as soon as you can. Fifteen years ago I lost my beloved ten year old springer spanie,l Bertie, when he fell and broke his back. The next day my wife managed to find another beautiful springer, Bella, who nearly made it to fifteen, but succumbed to a stroke in April. In lockdown things were difficult, but we were able to get a lovely sprocker Bunty in the summer. I have found that the companionship of a new dog helps with the loss, although it can never be a replacement. Go for it.

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We lost our previous Cocker Jack in 2009 and a week later had reserved Monty who has given us 11 years happiness. Definitely get another dog - for us it was the only way forward!

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On 21/11/2020 at 09:52, Winter123 said:

.... My friend has informed me that her contact has just had a litter and merely wanted to let me know. Personally, I still feel its too soon but is there ever a 'right' time to move on or come to terms with everything? I also care for my Dad at the moment, who is doing OK but needs my support. So just weighing everything up emotionally and financially. ....

 

I think that's very much a piece of string question. Conventional advice is (as above) to get another dog asap. Yes, they would never replace the former's place in your heart but they can replace them in your life. Sometimes that's good. 

 

I know caring can be very time consuming and wearing. As I type both parents are in hospital, one in intensive care and I'm half expecting a phone call... If your Dad is going to be OK with a dog around, then great. It might help him as well. The thing which occurs to me is (to put it bluntly) how is your father's health likely to go? If his condition worsens, you might struggle to cope with anything else. Or it might be even more important for you to have a faithful friend around the house. 

 

Financially I can't advise, though I'd agree it's something to consider. Also, how well would a dog fit in your life with any new job you may get? But don't forget the Mastercard advert catchphrase - some things are priceless (and I'd suggest love, affection and companionship are on that list). 

 

I don't know if you've considered it but if you do get another, would it be better to get an adult rather than a puppy which might need a lot of attention, training etc.? There are plenty of rescue dogs, yes, some are needy or have problems, but some have a good temperament. I wonder that if you can find the 'right' one, whether that might work out better for you? 

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Thanks for all your responses. Very heartened to hear your viewpoints. The experiences and advice you have described have reaffirmed the way I'm thinking so that's a real positive. I've been working on the fact that getting another actually honours the previous dog's memory rather than being seen as a replacement and to allow for something good to develop. I take the point about rescues and very much admire those that go down this route, but for me personally, I would want to go for the puppy even though I am well aware of the challenges!! Dad's doing OK at the moment and I agree I think it would benefit him too. I feel I have enough support from friends and family in the event that things change in that regard. 

 

I have made an enquiry and a litter may be available for January. Alternatively there is the possibility of a further litter in March for availability in May (different mother). Ideally May would work better giving more breathing space, kinder weather and hopefully we will be further through the pandemic situation but maybe visiting the first litter will make that decision clearer. I mainly factor costs in as my boy had so many health issues towards the end of his life however I was fortunate to have had an excellent insurance policy. The only other immediate threat to the savings will be from Accurascale!!

 

Finally on a personal note White Rabbit as a fellow Yorkshireman, I understand your anguish and sincerely hope both your parents make a speedy & successful recovery. Sending best wishes for more positive news soon. 

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The wife and I rescued this idiot (aka sh1twolf) from dogs trust at the start of 2016. She's a husky crossed with something (gsd maybe? To be fair it doesn't really matter) and is due to turn 9 later this year. No idea what her past before dogs trust is as she was found as a stray, she doesn't like other dogs (or cats, or birds, or hedgehogs, etc, etc) but she is brilliant with people.

 

Screenshot_20210426-100647_Gallery.jpg.279d857b8c7937fa70b095f56ef57ed9.jpg

 

 

Despite not being good with other dogs, we had noticed that if the other dog was the same shape and bigger than her then she would tolerate it and try to get a long......

 

About a month ago a friend in need was having to give up his Malamute 'puppy' due to various lockdown related issues and we decided to help rather than see another animal go to an over stretched rescue centre. He's lovely animal and just as gentle with people as Sh1twolf is. He turns 2 in May, hopefully soon the big fella will realize he's not a puppy anymore :lol: Sh1twolf is being amazingly tolerant with him and it seems to have given her a second youth, I'm not really sure which is being the bad influence on the other now!

 

Screenshot_20210426-100737_Gallery.jpg.885a6c0123011541e6583c5477d3d55f.jpg

 

 

 

It is bringing a new level of chaos to the house. Turn your back for 5 seconds and mud will be brought in...

 

20210412_091318.jpg.3a74aca738d95a2d7f501d730eb4cd96.jpg

Edited by Satan's Goldfish
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6 hours ago, Satan's Goldfish said:

The wife and I rescued this idiot (aka sh1twolf) from dogs trust at the start of 2016. She's a husky crossed with something (gsd maybe? To be fair it doesn't really matter) and is due to turn 9 later this year. No idea what her past before dogs trust is as she was found as a stray, she doesn't like other dogs (or cats, or birds, or hedgehogs, etc, etc) but she is brilliant with people.

 

Screenshot_20210426-100647_Gallery.jpg.279d857b8c7937fa70b095f56ef57ed9.jpg

 

 

Despite not being good with other dogs, we had noticed that if the other dog was the same shape and bigger than her then she would tolerate it and try to get a long......

 

About a month ago a friend in need was having to give up his Malamute 'puppy' due to various lockdown related issues and we decided to help rather than see another animal go to an over stretched rescue centre. He's lovely animal and just as gentle with people as Sh1twolf is. He turns 2 in May, hopefully soon the big fella will realize he's not a puppy anymore :lol: Sh1twolf is being amazingly tolerant with him and it seems to have given her a second youth, I'm not really sure which is being the bad influence on the other now!

 

Screenshot_20210426-100737_Gallery.jpg.885a6c0123011541e6583c5477d3d55f.jpg

 

 

 

It is bringing a new level of chaos to the house. Turn your back for 5 seconds and mud will be brought in...

 

20210412_091318.jpg.3a74aca738d95a2d7f501d730eb4cd96.jpg

Really, really beautiful.

Mike

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Earlier in this thread I told the story of Sammy, our smooth/border collie cross, who came to live with us from rescue, 13 years ago and is now 15. Sammy had another attack of Idiopathic Vestibular Disease before Christmas, and we were able to hand feed him food and water until he recovered sufficiently to eat and drink on his own. This time however, his spatial vision seems to have been affected, and he can't cope with having his head raised, so has not been able to stand and walk unaided. We are carrying him for outdoor functions and I'm sleeping downstairs with him, as he is distressed on his own. I hold him up with a harness and use my right leg to keep him upright and we walk around the house, this helps to keep his leg muscles from wasting. He is still alert, interested and affectionate. The vet is happy that he has quality of life and is being cared for. He is starting to stand on his own for short periods and has started to take a few steps on his own, so I keep hoping  but at 15 he has limited time remaining.

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So sorry to hear of your loss Colin. I'm just over a year on now and it still cuts very deep. Hopefully be a little reassured that Monty will be deeply embedded in your hearts forever. Its the final thing they do for us. Just not fair that they don't live as long as we do......

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