DH is pushing for us to get 2 dogs from the pound

[punkin]

I am not sure about this. Our pound puppy whom we adopted 7 years ago died in January. I have succumbed to DH's and DDs' pleading for a new dog and we went to the pound. One dog had no interest in her so we put in an application. I think she will be a good fit for us and I am afraid she will be put down since no one seems to want her. Another dog was there who was just surrendered. He was gorgeous and younger, but hadn't been evaluated yet so we did not look at him seriously. Now we got a call from the pound that he is available and we are going to see him tomorrow. My family is now pushing to get both dogs (if they get along). These are not tiny dogs. They are big. One is over 50 pounds and I think the other is around 70. They will be expensive and take up a lot of room. I have never had more than one dog at a time...but they are both so cute.

Sorry for the long, rambling post. I just want opinions from disinterested parties who haven't been hypnotized by doggie eyes.

 

[JaymeC]

Does it count if I've been hypnotized by my own doggies eyes?

We have two rescue dogs (and a rescue cat... and usually a foster or two underfoot. Maybe I'm the wrong one to ask?) Anyhow, our first dog is a golden retriever mix and was the dog that was going to be our family dog for our two young kids. He's an *awesome* dog that we were able to rescue as just a puppy and I love him to death.

A little over a year ago we started fostering. One of the fosters came into our home... and I realized I couldn't let him go. We had had a few other fosters but none of them got along with our family. With Jack, he almost seemed to fill a hole. Honestly keeping Max became a lot easier with Jack. He was no longer lonely and no longer had any separation anxiety because he had a buddy. They've really been great for each other. Oh and I should mention Jack is a 50lb mixed dog so about the same sizes you're looking at since Max is 75lbs.

Having said that, I would be very careful that both dogs are a good fit for you, for your family, and for each other. Both of our dogs are on the lazy size so even though they're pretty large they spend most of their time laying about. We also have a large fenced in yard they can run around in when the urge strikes. Our house is only about 1100sqft, but honestly it doesn't feel snug because the dogs seem to fit the house.

The past month we've had a foster dog that was a little sweet heart, but boy oh boy was she a ball of energy. Zoom! Zoom! Zoom! It was exhausting. And she was only 10lbs! That 10lb excitable dog fit our family a lot less than our 80lb behemoth who's currently sleeping with his head on my foot. Super-hyper dog was just adopted to a young man who loves her level of energy and thinks she's hilarious.

So I guess the point is, choosing a pet is a very, very weighed out decision based on what your family needs and wants are. I would never, ever encourage anyone to get a pet that doesn't fit in because frankly that's not good for either of you and can end in disaster. You are the only one who knows what that means though, and whether you think those dogs would be good fits for you and for each other.

As for costs, they are costly little things but I've never regretted a penny of the money that I've spent on the love a dog can give. There are no more forgiving, loyal creatures out there. They're not for everyone, but I know in our family they're more than worth the cost and the cost of a companion for them (and a bonus one for us) has also been more than worth it.

 

[Pumbaa_]

We love having 2 dogs. Not only are they company for each other, it is nice to have the fun of watching the dogs play

Have the rescue check out if htey get along and best thing, go to obedience school!

good luck! I hope they both find awesome forever homes!

 

[ceecee]

I've got two 65 lb rescue labs! Love having them both. They do cost twice as much...vets, food, toys, snacks, bed, etc. Also two times the exercise, sometimes it is hard to walk two at the same time. Boarding fees double if you travel a lot. Two times the poop to pick up in the yard.
If you have time and the $ for two, go for it. It is a lifetime commitment for both the dog's lives so think on it.

 

[kmccain]

On behalf of the dogs... Please... Please... Pretty Please... we'll be good

Sorry, i volunteer at my local shelter every day. They will bring a lot of joy to you and your family. But as pp pointed out it is a big decision not to take lightly.

I do think 2 dogs would be happier because they would occupy each other.

Good luck with your decision

 

[pocomom]

three dogs here and it is a crazy life with a lot of vaccuuming, but I love it! We had an older settled dog and rescued two puppies, brother and sister. They are nuts! Plus side is they keep each other busy and happy, downside is much harder to train two dogs at once! Of course your older dog probably has most of the basic manners down already. It's a big decision. One you all need to think through- two dogs is a game changer- but worth it? I totally think so!

 

[1stvisit0909]

three dogs here and it is a crazy life with a lot of vaccuuming, but I love it! We had an older settled dog and rescued two puppies, brother and sister. They are nuts! Plus side is they keep each other busy and happy, downside is much harder to train two dogs at once! Of course your older dog probably has most of the basic manners down already. It's a big decision. One you all need to think through- two dogs is a game changer- but worth it? I totally think so!

I'm probably not the best to ask either, we have 3 rescues, and have fostered as well. Lol one 90 lb lab Shepard we got as a pup (vet said he'd be 50lbs, whence hit 75 I said are you sure? Ha. And the two 20 ish rescue pugs. Love my fur babies! If you can afford the annual vet bills, and their monthly flea and heart worm preventative and food, go for it!

 

[pigletto]

Heck.. I only have rescue cats and I think you should get both dogs

My brothers, sisters and parents all have dogs though. Yesterday afternoon there were 4 dogs out at my parents house. They have 10 acres and we all put on our boots and grabbed the dogs and went for a 2 hour hike. There is nothing like watching them interact. All different shapes and sizes. The largest is a 80 pound Sheepdog. The smallest is ba-shar (basset/sharpei mix). They romped and wrestled and splashed through the puddles and into the pond, got covered in mud and made us all laugh for hours.
I LOVE my cats but I came home telling dh it might be time for a dog.
They just bring a joy to your life don't they?
If you can afford two, and they get along, I think you'd be doing a wonderful thing for them and for your family.

 

[LJSquishy]

Honestly, I don't recommend getting two rescues at the same time (same goes for two puppies even from reputable show breeders).

It is unlikely that the shelter has the dogs' complete history so there may be some issues you (or the staff) are not aware of that may show up once they settle into your home. You may find that they aren't as potty trained as you thought, maybe one has anxiety when left alone, etc. Those are all real issues that occur quite often and need time and patience to deal with.

Then there is 2x the cost of food (and feeding a high quality food isn't cheap), 2x the vet bills for a healthy dog (more if one or both develop a health issue), and 2x the mess! If your budget allows for a double-dose of dog funding, then those things aren't really issues.

I myself have 2 dogs, but they are 7lb Maltese...and even with me getting them 1 1/2 years apart, it is still a lot of work. Sometimes I wish I could go back and just have one again.

Rescues especially need extra attention when they first go home with you because you don't know what they've been through exactly. It just seems like a lot of commotion with two new dogs for your family at once.

Never get a 2nd dog "to keep the 1st one company"! Only get another dog if YOU want to care for a second one. They may not bond as well as you hoped once you get them home (or they may become best friends) and if you only brought home the 2nd one just so #1 would have a friend that is not a good situation.

Wait until you meet both dogs again and then decide...I personally say just get one, but if you think you are up for the challenge, that is your decision and may work out very well for your family.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

On one hand my heart is breaking and I'm thinking take both. But, to be practical, one at a time would probably be better. It would give you a chance to get to know their personality and how they would get along with another dog and your family.

We rescued one dog that was a stray and probably wasn't quite old enough to be weaned when they left her and she doesn't have much of a "pack" mentality. She is more like another one of my kids because I treated her like a baby, snuggling her in my lap to keep her warm. But she loves to run and play with other dogs so we decided to look into adopting another. We ended up with a German Shepherd puppy from the shelter. First, the new dog brought home a cold or virus and gave it to our other dog, but luckily the meds from the vet took care of it and it wasn't serious. Now what we're dealing with is that we didn't think about the problems in our home with having a large dog because our other dog is only 25 lbs. The new one takes things off of the kitchen counter and knocks over the baby gate we use to keep them downstairs and gets into stuff in the kids' rooms. Also, when we first got them they fought, a lot, and my little dog would have scratches all over her from the other's sharp baby teeth so I had to limit their time together until they were completely used to each other (now they actually snuggle on the couch together, it's sweet). But for awhile I would crate one for an hour and let one out, then switch, all day long. It was hard work keeping up with them.

 

[mrsklamc]

Sorry- multiple threads opened and posted on the wrong one.

 

[punkin]

I am still conflicted this morning. We have a "home visit" set up for the one dog and we will let them know before that if we decide on the second dog as well. We will make that decision this afternoon after we see the dogs interact at the pound. DH and I discussed which one we would take if we only take one and we both decided we would take the smaller older female because the younger dog (1 yr old) will probably have no problems getting adopted even if we do not take him (we hope).

 

[gr8tdame]

We always were a one dog and one cat family. We are now a 4 dog,2 cat and one rabbit family. The only problem with having multiple dogs is finding someplace to board them when we go to WdW and other vacations. We were lucky to find a family that would take all of our dogs .mind you our dogs are crate trained and well behaved... 2 chihuahuas and 2 mutts the largest weighing 30 lbs. the costs add up... Vet bills....boarding. The vet does not give any multi pet discounts but they are part of the family.
How did we become a multi pet family ...... The first two mutts...same litter... Couldn't choose between the two so we took both. The next dog was found in a dumpster on a long weekend....the only one that was still alive of the four 7 month old pups in the dumpster.... We took him in until he could be placed with a rescue group.... Needless to say my husband who said he would never have a toy dog was smitten and dog # 3 . This was all in the period of one year. The next year we took in another rescue... Runt of the litter.. A 3 lb chihuahua. After that I refused to foster anymore dogs....as we keep them all. The rabbit arrived this summer....orphaned.... Nest had been destroyed.....animal rescue said it would not survive. I said I would bottle feed it and try to save it. Animal rescue laughed at me and said I would be wasting my time. Rabbit is now part of our family.... The dogs protect it and my cats have adopted it. It loves to play and be held.
So, I stay away from shelters....as I cannot say no.
You and your family will make the right decision....I say get them both..... But it is a 12-20 yr commitment.

 

[punkin]

We always were a one dog and one cat family. We are now a 4 dog,2 cat and one rabbit family. The only problem with having multiple dogs is finding someplace to board them when we go to WdW and other vacations. We were lucky to find a family that would take all of our dogs .mind you our dogs are crate trained and well behaved... 2 chihuahuas and 2 mutts the largest weighing 30 lbs. the costs add up... Vet bills....boarding. The vet does not give any multi pet discounts but they are part of the family.
How did we become a multi pet family ...... The first two mutts...same litter... Couldn't choose between the two so we took both. The next dog was found in a dumpster on a long weekend....the only one that was still alive of the four 7 month old pups in the dumpster.... We took him in until he could be placed with a rescue group.... Needless to say my husband who said he would never have a toy dog was smitten and dog # 3 . This was all in the period of one year. The next year we took in another rescue... Runt of the litter.. A 3 lb chihuahua. After that I refused to foster anymore dogs....as we keep them all. The rabbit arrived this summer....orphaned.... Nest had been destroyed.....animal rescue said it would not survive. I said I would bottle feed it and try to save it. Animal rescue laughed at me and said I would be wasting my time. Rabbit is now part of our family.... The dogs protect it and my cats have adopted it. It loves to play and be held.
So, I stay away from shelters....as I cannot say no.
You and your family will make the right decision....I say get them both..... But it is a 12-20 yr commitment.

me too.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

We had 1 dog for a year, and then I started looking at Pet Finder (don't EVER look there unless you are 100% serious on getting a dog) and we got a shelter puppy.

We love having 2 dogs, for the most part. They play with each other and are always together. It's not that much more work on a day to day basis except for having to clean up more poop.

The one thing that makes it more challenging and expensive for us is doggy daycare (yeah...we spoil our pups....) and boarding when we are away.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Well we have 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 rabbits (these guys are foster, I want them adopted out).

We got 1 dog 4 years ago to keep our older dog company (DH's idea), then since the older dog really couldn't keep the older one company DH got us another rescue dog 6 months later, so I had 3 dogs for awhile. Oy..they do get along well though and keep each other company.

So, if you are going to get 1, and they get along, and you can afford it, you might as well get the second one.

BTW...my DH won't go to PetSmart on weekends, they always have rescues there and he always wants to bring more home. And if he does though, I will be leaving!!

 

[ceecee]

Oh, I forgot the expense of heartworm and flea meds! And the FUR...since my labs are yellow, we can no longer wear anything black, navy or dark! I love both my girls, even though one of them kept us up all night with the storm last night.

 

[niffer5150]

lol! take up a lot of room? up untill 3 months ago we had 2 great danes in a 900sqft condo. our old man dog passed away but he was 38" at the shoulders. it's all about training if you want them to not be in the way.

 

[punkin]

We just came back from the pound. We will only be adopting one dog at this time. I feel she will need a little adjustment period. Additionally, she seems very laid back and would not do well with a bouncy youngster.

Thank you for your input. It was really helpful.

 

[LauraR]

I think it was very nice of you to take the older, less-adoptable dog. Enjoy the new addition to your family!