MolliesMom July 8th, 2005, 09:05 AM I am new here, and I have a lot of questions. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. I have a 4 year old basset hound named Mollie. We rescued her from the shelter about a year ago. Our other basset hound that we raised as a 10 week old pup recently got ran over by a speeding teenager. That was May 3rd, and I STILL cry over him on a weekly basis! Well, Mollie was sad too, but she is ok now. I have been OBESSED with replacing him...and I don't know why! I have been searching newspaper for free pups and looking thru shelters to find that one basset that could make me happy. Well, I found a free pup at walmart..and she died of parvo that she had before I even got her...I was pretty mad at that, but sad when I had to rid another dog. I have kids, and I think the kids need a pup to play with, but I think it's just me. And when the pup was here, Mollie was FURIOUS! She would pee on MY stuff on a daily basis! I need someone to tell me what they think they would do if they were me. Mollie is an inside dog and is not playful anymore. She would rather sleep and hide then play with the kids... :sad:
Rottielover July 8th, 2005, 09:15 AM personally I do not believe you need a new dog, or ready for one. Kids do not need a puppy to play with, they need friends, and their mom.
BMDLuver July 8th, 2005, 09:22 AM hi Molliesmom,
Welcome to the board. You have been through some sadness lately and I honestly think now is not the time to get a second dog. Enjoy the one you have and give yourself some time to grieve for those you've lost. There will come a time when all of you are ready for a new addition again. Be patient and when you are ready, you will know. I know that after losing my Berner Teddy, I was definitely not ready for another. After more than a year, one came by chance that needed me more than I needed her. I truly think it was for a reason. Sometimes with grief comes an almost desperation to right things by getting another one. It's not always the best choice. I hope that some time in the future you will have another one to love.
LavenderRott July 8th, 2005, 09:23 AM If you are considering a dog that will be an "outside only" dog, then don't get another dog.
Unless you have COMPLETELY sanitized your house and yard to get rid the parvo that the puppy you had, I wouldn't advise getting another puppy.
Any time you get a puppy for free, you are pretty much guarenteed to get a pup that has never been to the vet - who's parents have rarely, if ever had been to a vet.
If you want a new Basset Hound, take the time to find a good breeder and spend the money to get a puppy that has a chance at being healthy for a long life. Oh, and Texas has plenty of puppymills so please be careful from where you get a new dog.
Lucky Rescue July 8th, 2005, 09:26 AM It sounds like YOU are the one who wants a puppy!;)
Well, I found a free pup at walmart..and she died of parvo that she had before I even got her
Sadly, this is not uncommon when animals are being dumped for "FREE". If whoever bred them cares so little about them that they would hand them over to strangers in a parking lot, you just KNOW they never bothered with shots or any health care.
There are no "Free" pets. One way or the other, you pay. If you want a dog for free, make sure your other dog has all shots and that the new puppy is isolated until you can get shots, dewormer, and vet check to make sure it's not carrying deadly diseases.
Your bet bet is to contact a rescue OR a reputable breeder (if you must have a puppy). Yes, you will have to pay for it but as you know - you get what you pay for.
BUT, do not get a puppy now! Parvo can live in the soil and around your house for months, even in freezing weather.
I need someone to tell me what they think they would do if they were me
If I were you, I would wait for a year or so to get a new puppy. In the meantime you can focus your attention on Mollie and maybe she'll be a little more playful.
Writing4Fun July 8th, 2005, 09:33 AM Mollie's Mom, I am so, so sorry to hear about both of your recent losses. :grouphug:
I can tell you from experience that it will take a long, long time before the tears stop. But that's ok - it's healthy to grieve. As for whether or not you're ready for another pup, only you can truthfully answer that. But, judging from your post, I think you already know the answer to that question. ;) You can never replace your pup, I think you realize that. One day, maybe a few years from now, you might be able to open your heart to a new one, when you're ready and when you can accept that it will be another dog, not a replacement for the first one. Personally, it took me two years to finally be able to accept another dog into my heart. I know of others for whom it was a few months.
I agree with Rottielover. Kids don't need a puppy. Depending on their ages (if they're over 3yrs old, I've heard), they will actually need to go through the grieving process themselves, and you can't rush that.
When you are ready to accept another dog, I hope you won't look to the "free" ads or in petstores. These puppies come from deplorable conditions called puppy mills (see www.nopuppymillscanada.ca) and back yard breeders. They will almost always be sick, as you've already learned. And by "saving" one of these pups from a pet store or newspaper ad, all you're doing is rewarding their greedy breeders by giving them the money they wanted, and then opening up another spot in the store for more sick puppies/kittens. It's the law of supply and demand, and won't ever end unless we, the consumers, stop giving them a demand for their supply. ;)
The absolute best place to hunt for a new dog is www.petfinder.com. Here is where you will find the thousands of homeless animals in shelters across the continent. Or, if you're dead set on a purebred basset and can't find one in the shelters, please do your research thoroughly and find a responsible breeder. I'm sure if you googled "how to find a reputable breeder", or even performed a search on this site, you'd find a wealth of information on how to go about it.
Sorry for the long post. Good luck with your choice. :)
Writing4Fun July 8th, 2005, 09:35 AM Sorry! I didn't even see the poll above. :o Definitely, do not make any dog an "outside" dog. They are social creatures and need their pack if they are to thrive.
Beaglemom July 8th, 2005, 09:36 AM I'm so sorry for your loss. :grouphug: It is very difficult to lose a cherished pet.
I can understand why you would want a puppy. Unfortunately, I don't think you are ready for another dog at the moment. You can never truly replace the one you lost. I believe that you may, unintentionally, pose high expectations on your new pup and will probably constantly compare the new pup to the one you lost. It isn't fair to you or the pup. It will leave you feeling disappointed and sad.
I believe you need time to grieve your loss. Maybe even a pet loss support group.
In the meantime, I think maybe focussing your attention on Mollie may help to re-establish your bond together and may even help in getting through your grieving. It may also help to bring her out of her shell.
MolliesMom July 8th, 2005, 10:26 AM Thank you for all of your advice. Everything that each of yall have said was right and I thank you for it. When I do get a pup or dog...I will save it. I think I will take my 3 year old with me to the SPCA and tell her to pick one out for the family...this won't be until next spring (at least.) Thank you all again. I hope that I can finally get a grip on things that nothing will bring Kobe back. He was 2 days from being 4 when he died...and what DOESN'T help is that he is buried in the back yard. But, it's nice to know that he is home. Even if I cry for him a lot. I know you all have good hearts. Thank you for helping me with mine.
DaniDunn July 8th, 2005, 12:16 PM I agree in waiting, but when your family is ready for another dog, and you are wanting another basset hound, please consider basset hound rescue. Not sure where you are in Texas, but I know of Lone Star Basset Rescue, and I'm sure there are others in Texas as well. Check the internet. I'm sorry for your recent loss.
Writing4Fun July 8th, 2005, 01:24 PM It might help the grieving process if you post a memorial here:
http://www.pets.ca/petsites/index_cemetery.php
CyberKitten July 8th, 2005, 01:48 PM I am very sorry for your loss!
I know we are all different but it took me a year after my rabbit died before I was able to start thinking about adopting another pet. I think it would be best for you, your children and your other dog if you allow the grieving procss to run its course. You can never "replace" a pet - and sometimes it may be unwise psychologically to attempt that. You end up with unrealistic expectations of the pet and those kind of things. I see that as a mistake. Yiou do after all have a dog to care for and love. If after a period of time, you think yuour family is ready for another basset hound, you could check the local rescues or if your heart is set on a puppy, find a reptable breeder.
Just my two cents.
Rottielover July 8th, 2005, 01:56 PM when you are ready to go to the spca, please do not allow your child to pick the dog...Many reasons. 1st and formost, they are looking at cute and cudly. Not knowing the behaviours of that dog, or of the breed for that matter. Will just cause long term heart ache. Most likely rehomed. Go to the spca quite a few times, then decide. No rush decisions
pitbulliest July 8th, 2005, 09:40 PM And be careful when picking out a dog...some are much too delicate and emotional for children's rough play...I don't really like the idea of children rough playing with any dog...poking eyes, pushing..etc..that's why I was kind of held back when you mentioned you wanted a dog for your kids to play with...dogs are not toys..they are part of the family..
I'm sorry if I sound a bit too forward, but I have seen many people buy dogs for the wrong reasons...I hope you do your research and decide on a pet that's right for you and your family, as well as agreeable with your current pooch :)
Good luck and keep us posted!
Beatle412 July 8th, 2005, 11:27 PM I am truly sorry for you loss, as well as your dogs. I too have been in a similar situation. I inherrited an older cat. Her owner as well as her brother died within hours of each other. Becasue as animals get older, (and this depends on several facotrs and is not an absolute) they are less apt to make new friends. Replacing your dog may seem like a good idea, but from the fact that the dog rejected a new pup, it doesn't look good.
However, don't loose all hope, an older dog (rescues are good ideas) might be the thing, later. You have to let your pet get over her loss as well. And your dog might have rejected the new dog because she knew the pup was sick. I don't know much on dogs, but cats will avoid a dying cat. They will even walk around where the cat was lying. Sometimes they show this in agression.
IN short, don't loose hope, and let yourself as well as your dog heal!
Princesss04 July 9th, 2005, 03:00 AM I am sorry to hear all that you have been through. I can not blame you for wanting another puppy but I do not think now is a good time for that. I think you should wait a while. Oh by the way welcome to the board! :D Looking forward to seeing some pics of your fur baby! :D
Prin July 9th, 2005, 09:41 AM I voted no because I don't think my yes would be unconditional. When you're getting a second dog, you have to focus primarily on getting one that suits your first dog. The rest comes later. If you have two dogs in a house who don't get along, it will be scary, dangrerous and unpleasant.
That being said, if Mollie is crabby, you need to get a calm submissive male doggy. She'd probably do better with an older dog, maybe 2 or 3 but not older than she is. The dog can be bigger as long as it's younger and submissive. But certainly not older. Age is a huge factor in the heirarchy and your goal is to keep Mollie dominant on the new dog. Eventually, neither will be dominant over the other if you have really been clear that you are the alpha.
Now that all my "conditions" are out, I have to say that in my experience, the BEST possible help to get over the loss of a dog is from a dog. But try not to get a dog who is close to your old buddy because you want the new dog to be free to be himself and not to be compared to the old guy all the time.
As for Molly, 4 years old is a bit young to have stopped doing anything. It could be food related, although I am not 100% familiar with basset hound development (like what the normal age is for really slowing down).. I just know that my doggies were calming down and then I switched their food and they became all excitable again. :)
MolliesMom July 10th, 2005, 11:46 AM When I feel like getting another dog..and it will be from a pound or SPCA...do yall think it's a good idea to take Mollie with me? She hates a LOT of dogs now that I think of it. She doesn't like any dogs. The ONLY dog she like was Kobe and I think it was because he was here first. When we are in the house, Mollie sleeps...but when we are anywhere else or outside, shes very active. I once took Kobe (my late basset) walking when I was pregnant with my first child. After the first mile...he just layed in the road with his tongue out! I had to carry him back when I was 8 months pregnant, haha...so that's why I guess I just never took Mollie running or anything...maybe I should try her out sometime. :pawprint:
You all have helped so much and I am happy to be in this forum. Sorry if it takes me long to write back.
Prin July 10th, 2005, 03:37 PM Are there any rescues around your area? I ask because if a doggy is in foster care, you can have a couple of meetings, and maybe even a test weekend, before you decide for sure. You will also learn a bit more about the dog.
If you do bring your baby to the SPCA-- be sure her vaccines are way up to date, and that you've gotten the Bordetella vaccine at least a couple weeks before going. Shelters are ripe with kennel cough... You might not be able to learn anything though because it is such a high stress, high anxiety environment.
|