Another Puppy???

I have 4 dogs. It can be tough. Right now I have an elder 14 year old Lab Mix who needs extra TLC and a high drive Vizsla (more energy than your average Vizsla) who needs extra time. So somedays I am downright exhausted.

I get up early for work and do one on one time with each of them throughout the week. 2 compete in agility, 1 in conformation and 1 is going back to obedience. So I have class 2 nights a week, train small session daily and shows/trials on weekends...in addition to DH and working out.

It can get exhausting but I find it rewarding.

Colleen
 
I may not be the right one to give advice on dogs (don't have any) or on not adopting any more pets, especially if they need a good home (my 'perfect number' of cats is 3, but somehow...hmmm...I now have 5!), but what about fostering?

I know it may be hard to foster and not want to keep the puppy, but it will give you an idea of how life with him as an adoptee would be, without the pressure of your actually adopting him. If you decide after 2 or 3 weeks that you really can do it, and want to do it, you could still adopt him. If not, then you wouldn't feel like you are "getting rid of him" if things don't work out.

I certainly think he could benefit from the love and care that your household could provide him with. I'm just not sure if the more agressive traits of the pit bulls will come out more when there are three of them (though I agree that their agressive behavior is primarily brought out by bad owners).
 
Hi,

I have a three dog limit. I've had three for many years now and will probably always have three dogs. I had four at one time and that was too many for me, but now our house is bigger. I really can't afford 4 anyway with heartworm vet bills etc. I say go for it. You're used to having puppies, so it won't be that much of a shock. How could you pass up something so cute?

Tracy
 
I second Kathryn's suggestion of fostering. That way, even if you decide not to keep the pup permanently, he'll have had more meaningful interaction with people and other dogs than he would probably get at a shelter and would possibly be that much more adoptable in the long run.

My gosh he's such a cutie!!
 
>>
>What I'm saying is, the more dogs you get, the more the pack
>instincs kick in and personalites change, and not always for
>the better. I also had a Labrador with these 3 whippets and he
>didn't care about the first 2 dogs, but he and the 3rd top dog
>didn't get along at all. I kept all 4 dogs for the rest of
>their lives because I loved them, but I ALWAYS felt that I did
>an injustice to my first dog by tearing apart his perfect
>little happy world he thought he had as top dog in the house.
>
>
Great thoughts. It is imperative to do know what kind of dogs you have and what kind of dog will fit into your household. My Dobe can be a bully if not watched. I knew when I brought the next pup in she had to be very confident, over the top and a bit pushy but know how to read dog per se. A shy pup would not have thrived around him.

Colleen
 
Wow, what a cutie! :)

I would never be able to say no... which is why I have 2 dogs and 3 cats. It is a zoo, I will not lie. But I love a zoo. I too have never had to "get" an animal as those who need me always seem to find me.

I agree to make sure you can swing the vet bills and all but man he sure is cute! :D
 
Without even taking a look at what I know is a cute pic, I say do it! Three dogs, while a lot of work(and money too)are just sooooo much fun. And they work as there own little family unit. I am a mommy of three labs, a much older female(she's 12), my middle guy, who is 6 and our ever crazy two year old puppy-who happens to be bigger than the other two. The younger two are like brothers, a love-hate thing there, while the old girl acts like the patient grandma with both of them. I just love it. Believe or not I have been getting the "I need a new puppy feeling".....but I really think 3 is the perfect number.

Donna
 
You guys are great and have given me great advice. Going from 3 dogs to 2 dogs, although sad, has been nice. It's so quiet around here (well, as quiet as it can be with 4 parrots!!!).

Here's an update: The puppy saw the vet yesterday and the vet said the jaw is not healing properly. So...the puppy now has to stay at the Shelter until he is released medically and he is on "exercise restriction" because the vet thinks he's been playing too much with the staff and other dogs. Poor baby. I had e-mailed the gal who called me and asked how he was doing. Someone I don't know replied with the above information and said "Thanks for your interest." Hmmm...what the heck is that supposed to mean? YOU guys called ME! So, I just wrote back and said, "Thanks. Keep me posted."

So I have no idea when he will be ready or if they will let me know. I may have a meeting out there Tuesday night (but it may be at another location) and if so I'll definitely go see him.

I'll keep you all posted if I hear something. :) Thanks again for all of your wonderful advice!

Susan

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

http://www.picturetrail.com/dogs2birds
 
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