forums: The older dog

Beagle greif stricken

7 posts, 5 voices

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Participants in this thread:	shajmarx Tailspin jdetloff mitch.delazo ivycat
shajmarx 3 posts	A few days ago our 20 year old sheppard mix (Molly) died. Our 5 year old Beagle (Lola) must think she just lost her mommy Molly. She can’t seem to get over it, us either. We want to adopt from the shelter but I seem to be dragging my feet. Molly helped me raise my kids and I feel that I will be disapointed. This new dog has some really big shoes to fill. Does Lola need a companion to replace Molly? And will they even get along?
Tailspin Toronto 97 posts	I am so sorry to hear about your loss of Molly. What an amazingly long life she had, it must have been full of lots of love and care. Lola will grieve. This is normal, she has lost a member of her family, probably the closest one as the dogs spend most, if not all, of their time together. Make sure Lola gets lots of walks and keep her schedule as routine as possible. Same goes for you! You will know when you are ready for another dog. Be sure. It is unfair to bring a new dog home to an uncertain environment. No one will be like Molly. They are all individuals and need to be treated as such. Lola will probably love a companion again, when you are all ready, try hard to find one with a similar energy level and temperament and you may want to think about a male rather than a female, generally opposite sexes get along better. Again, our condolences. Maggi and Cracker
shajmarx 3 posts	Thanks for the advice, it was great advice. Someone in this blog said that when a human is greiving it is better to talk to a dog lover, or someone who feels what you are going through, it lessens the pain. The reason I prefer a female is my closest neighbor has a stray male they rescued 3 years ago. They are a older couple so he doesn’t get walked much. I let him out and walk him daily with Lola, he’s a little skittish to new comers. I’m tailoring my choices around him also. I went to the shelters yesterday to save a dog. No adult dogs jumped out and grabbed my heart, except one and she was pregnant, definatly a nono. I got frusterated and left. I feel the older ones are less likley to be adopted. Would a older puppy be better with these two territorial mountain dogs?
Tailspin Toronto 97 posts	That’s a tough question…a puppy may actually be harder to deal with than an adult. I think personality is number one here, regardless of age, sex or breed. Ask for the calmest dog they have, that is not too fearful and see if you can arrange a walk with the potential adoptee and your dog(s). It is always best to introduce new dogs on neutral territory. It gives them a chance to get to know each other on a walk without too much full on contact and no territory to get stressed over. If they ok a walk, make sure there are two people in case there are complications…lol. Take your time to find the right dog, don’t get frustrated…I went to the shelter 4 times before I found Cracker. There were some I had liked that just weren’t right..I knew when I found her she was the right one. You’ll know too.
jdetloff 1 post	You know, I didn’t want another dog when my beloved beagle of 11 years left us; but, little Sam (the other beagle) was only one year old, and he really hadn’t been on his own before. My husband strongly felt another puppy would be best for him, and it turned out he was right, not just for Sam, but for me too. Give a puppy a shot, you might be happy how it turns out!
mitch.delazo 19 posts	You must really feel a great sense of loss and sorrow when you lost your dog. Most especially that she spent a very long time with you and your family. Dogs are already like family members. Maybe you should really consider getting a new dog but i suggest that you do it in the right time—when you’re ready to get one. As for Lola, she definitely grieves just as much as you do. While it’s true that a new dog wll perk up with a new companion, others prove to be just fine in their single status. Either way, try to spend lots of time with your remaining dog. Try to get some good reads about handling this kinds of situation. Try this link for a start: http://tinyurl.com/47sr5r My sincerest condolences.
ivycat Cincinnati, OH 70 posts	I am really sorry for your loss. I know it is just like losing a member of the family. I agree with Mitch. You shoul consider getting a new dog-but remember you’ll never find another Molly. I know that it’s very hard to replace a dog that you have lost with the same breed or beed mix that you have lost. You have a tendency to compare that dog with the one you have lost, I know that from personal experience. Only you will know when you are ready to get another dog or puppy. In the mean time I agree with tailspin, keep Lola’s routine as normal as possible.
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