A friend (Carol S, parent of many pets both feline and canine) emailed on Dec 24:
Merry Christmas to you all. My sister-in-law sent me this wonderful 2020 take on the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas", (from Chewy.com, "'Twas the Year Our Pets Saved Us") and I thought it would bring you all a smile. Consider it your present from our Irving Menagerie - I wouldn't let the dogs and cats out to shop during the pandemic, so this is all there is!
May we all have a better 2021! - Carol
Sad/mixed feelings addendum: So, read or not. Short version is: I think I might want to get a dog to fill the void left by Chip in June. But maybe I don’t. But maybe it doesn’t matter because there are no dogs available.
Two days before Christmas, last week, I was trying to explain to a friend why I’d want to get a second dog now.
Chip leaving in June was bad timing because of COVID's effects on my life in general. OK, seriously, no time is good timing for a barely 9-year-old dog suddenly dying. I vowed not to immediately fall in love with another dog’s face like I did with Chip as Tika's heart was getting bad, or right after Tika and Boost died in 2015 and I was left with only Chip and then saw that big-eared mixed-breed's face. I think I shortchanged Chip, myself, and the new dog (Luke, aka Zorro) by not having reasonably dealt with my grief. (Here’s at least one of my blog posts on this topic-- Do Not Get Another Dog Right Now.)
So it’s been 6 months. I find that this thing drives me: I don’t want to suddenly find myself with no dog in the house.
Dogs die unexpectedly. Or vanish (have at least 4 friends that has happened to). That’s also a down side to knowing so very very many people with so very VERY many dogs— seeing all the ways that the dogs leave us. But that’s not what hits me—it’s wanting to have that happy tail, the dangling exercised tongue, the sparkling eyes, the fun and the mischief always. That unconditional love. That companionship as I do the laundry or take a nap or work in the yard or go for a hike. (Spouses or partners are fine, sometimes, but sometimes not.)
I went through this after Amber died in 1992, which was lonnnnng before I knew many Dog People. We still had Sheba and for two years I couldn’t face the idea of trying to *replace* Amber because no dog possibly ever could and I didn’t want my heart to break so badly ever again. But, as Sheba turned 14ish, I realized that I did not want to wake up one morning to a dog-empty house, and my stomach clenched but my heart opened to new possibilities and that’s when Remington appeared.
I've had 2 or 3 (briefly) dogs ever since. (If you’re not tired of reading, here’s one of my blog posts on that topic: Maybe I Should Try Not Having A Dog. Oh. Erm. And another one: One Dog, Two Dog, No Dog, Three Dog )
Now I’ve had only one dog for 6 months. And am thinking about... do I want another dog? I know that Zorro misses having a yard buddy, but I always tell people, don't get a dog for your dog. But he and Chip enjoyed each other much more often than not. —but again curse COVID, there are no dogs available! [this is not technically true: nearby shelter has maybe 10, but they’re all bigger than I want these days (I’m hoping for 25-40 lbs) or special needs that I’m not prepared to deal with emotionally right now. Rescue groups I’ve checked (and I have a ton of friends who foster and do rescue) say that their cupboards are bare.]
Soooooo I don’t have piles and piles and miles and miles of dogs to choose from! This is great for the animals. Probably great for me, really, seriously, because when I’m feeling as down as I do too often in the last couple of months, probably not a good time to get another pup anyway.
All of my dogs except maybe Sheba have been pure luck and falling in love with a pretty face. (Blog post—which clearly needs updating, and doesn’t really look at things from this perspective, but close. Choosing A Dog)
My first views of some of my dogs (which were photos, not the actual dogs); who could resist?
What I want is to be hanging out at a dog event and someone walks by with a gorgeous friendly dog and I admire her and the person says, I’m fostering her and she’s looking for a home. Or someone posts a dog’s face on Facebook and I fall almost in love almost immediately. But: No one is posting photos these days of available dogs because there aren’t any!
So maybe I’ll go back to making the house puppy-proof (aka new-dog-proof) again and then try again in a while.
Oh, BTW, while struggling with the emotions over all of this-- I turned to Facebook and of course my dog peeps are Total Enablers:
Ellen Levy Finch
December 22 , 2020
Shared with Your friends
Is this a bad time of year to make off-the-cuff decisions about adopting another dog?
I'd say the answer is yes.
But suddenly all day today I can't stop thinking about it.
I'm pretty sure it has something to do with xmas being postponed for another year or 2. 🙁
But the local shelter is slashing adoption fees for adult dogs until the end of the year.
I wouldn't get a puppy anyway.
And Zorro is lonely for a dog yard-buddy; I know that to be true.
Talk me out of it please. 🥺
[and so it begins… 80 comments!!]
Go for it!!
2
I say yes!
1
Talk you into it? Yes, absolutely.
1
Absolutely!!
1
You seriously expect your dog loving friends to talk you out of it? Lolol. Get the dog!
10
Go for it....
1
Yes!
1
I wouldn't know how to begin. Clearly the things that deter me have no effect on you.
2
Do you really want to risk another severe illness when this new dog is diagnosed? Fingers crossed that either way it will be the right decision.
1
I think they're self-selecting out--Zorro is and Chip was about 35 lbs and that's good for me; their lightest dog at the moment is 44, a Sibe, and I don't want another; already did that.
2
Ellen - you’ll know, and Chip will confirm
2
Well, Zorro might. I don’t get messages from Chip. A lovely thought, though.
1
My only question would be whether you can handle two dogs, since you said that it was much easier with one dog going for walks and stuff
1
Ann Levy Burns Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. Maybe.
4
The thing is, it was typically very easy going for walks with Tika and Boost. It was not easy going for walks with Zorro and chip. So, it depends. I am trying to ignore the fact that it took lots of training and experience to be able to do that with Ti… See More
Is it EVER a bad time for a new dog?
2
We are all enablers....you should know this by now...
7
Tanya Lee right? Lol and when we take our puppies to trials everyone is so bad and let's puppies jump all over them.
2
Cynthia Heyman That’s the worst for sure!
1
I would never talk someone who gives dogs such a great home out of adopting another, unless you can't afford it either financially or emotionally
1
Do what your heart says
Think of poor Zorro.
Go for it and please post a picture!
1
Actually, the comment about easier to walk one dog than two is valid. I think it depends on your energy level. Because we know yard dog buddy won’t be the end of it.
1
Leslie Halliday True. I have 6. Yes. Crazy dog lady. I walk one at a time.
2
Marla Cooper Walking six dogs one at a time is what’s crazy!
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GIPHY
1
Why not!! Zorro would probably like a pal too. There’s somebody out there waiting for you!
1
What about another special puppy that you plan for. Your last one turned out very wonderful .
2
Good luck! I won’t talk you out of it because I think it would be good for you and Zorro. You’re a great pet parent!
1
https://petharbor.com
PETHARBOR.COM
PetHarbor.com: Animal Shelter adopt a pet; dogs, cats, puppies, kittens! Humane Society, SPCA. Lost & Found.
PetHarbor.com: Animal Shelter adopt a pet; dogs, cats, puppies, kittens! Humane Society, SPCA. Lost & Found.
1
Go for it!!
Don’t expect me to talk you out of it. Raising Winnie was a great thing to do while i waited for my grief over Zodi to subside. Getting Trissy has made me smile and laugh again and it’s been a long time since my heart has felt so light.
1
yes
Remember how easy it is to take a hike with one dog v.s. two? Remember how you can keep the vet bills/food bills/toy bills cut in half with one dog? Half the wear and tear on the yard. Probably easier to get renters if you only have one. Oh heck. … See More
4
Dawn King Thank you, Dawn!
My only worry is a Siberian too much dog to take on as you are still healing?
1
Janelle Stroschein Never again a Siberian. No worries on that count.
1
They are awesome dogs but I weighed the possibilities that come with certain dog types. I like a nice older dog. Just because I’m getting older too. Not old yet!!!
1
Oh, golly, *another* dog? I just don't knooooow. (Heck, yeah!)
Buster shakes his head "no". (But then, he shakes his head *everywhere*.)
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In Australia it’s apparently quite difficult to get a rescue dog as so many people have adopted in the pandemic. If you are able to adopt where you are, maybe that’s a siiiiign
2
Fiona Gillies It looks like all of the smaller dogs are have been adopted. In my previous life, I’d have gladly taken something the size of a German Shepherd, But I’m not there now.
Fiona Gillies (And it’s unusual not to see a ton of small dogs, particularly Chihuahua mixes, available from every pound and every rescue group. Now, not so much.)
I say go for it. One will be available when the time is right. But go small
1
I’ve been looking at getting another little dog. It’s always good to have a spare.
3
Billy Vitro Dave Barry would call it an emergency back up dog.
2
Ellen Levy Finch you got the reference! Damn, we’re old...
1
What’s one more? Keep looking for the right one. I think you will have plenty of enabling friends to help you
I have the same desire. I want a dog for Sparkle. Doodle Bug is mostly cat in a dog’s body and doesn’t play with Sparkle.
It's the best time! Do it!
It’s been a good year for rescues. There must be a reason for that.
The responses crack me up. Your friends are enablers! I would wait for the right dog that may not be available right now due to the high adoption rate during the pandemic.
7
Lisa Williams I know that I should’ve expected it. But I thought that maybe my sad face was compelling.
Wrong audience to ask.
3
How about a kitten, or a robot? Or me?
1
Mary Schultz Can you sleep curled up in one corner of my bed? On top of the covers? Without bumping into me during the night? I have high standards.
1
Ellen Levy Finch while I don’t look forward to my dogs’ demises, I do look forward to a one dog home
1
Definitely yes
Do you feel comfortable going to the animal shelter and vet during the pandemic?
1
Ronald Horii I’d have to make an appointment with the animal shelter if I see a dog that I’m interested in. I cannot roam the adoption areas. They will bring out just the dog of interest. I have been to my vet during these times, and they seem very goo… See More
if you feel a heart connection to a particular dog, then the timing/cost is irrelevant. Trust your heart and your gut to connect you!
Want the link to the group we got Abby from?
Linda Levy ok.
The rescue through whom I got Jake (indirectly) and Remington has no dogs available for adoption at this time. The nearby animal shelter doesn’t have any medium size dogs really. If I could see them in person (In canine), it might have c… See More
Ellen Levy Finch https://www.coppersdream.org
COPPERSDREAM.ORG
Copper's Dream Rescue Home
Copper's Dream Rescue Home
1
Nope. Not talking you out of a great, and well-timed decision. Why would I do that?!?
So... how are things progressing, decision-wise? I’m having serious puppy envy— not that I’d get a puppy under any circumstances!
Here in B.C. there's been a shortage of available dogs
https://www.cbc.ca/.../bri.../high-demand-for-pets-1.5637516
CBC.CA
Shelters struggle to keep up with skyrocketing demand for pet adoption during COVID-19 | CBC News
Shelters struggle to keep up with skyrocketing demand for pet adoption during COVID-19 | CBC News
1
Ray Fischer Here, too. Everyone I know who does fostering and rescue and works at shelters has been talking about that for months. And yet there are still plenty of dogs who are larger, or who have special needs, or who are older. I just haven’t so far… See More
2
Talk you out of it? What kind of friends do you think we are? Lol
2
Merry Christmas!
1
Libby Myers-Buhite awww!
A friend knows someone in bc rescue fostering some border collie/ springier spaniel pups- if interested I can get you more info
