Pity party..table for 1 please

[clh2]

I am (obviously) having a pity party today.

We needed to put our dog down last month, due to bone cancer.

We are on the hunt for a new dog. It is a very frustrating process. DH has been on a kick to suggest a new dog from the internet every 3 or 4 minutes he is on the copmuter. He signed us up for a rescue last weekend, and I wasn't even remotely interested in the dogs. We saw the dogs yesterday, and I was less interested in the dogs. This woman was fostering about 10 dogs PLUS she had 3 dogs of her own. BLEH... It was almost like "Lets Make a Deal". The 2 dogs DH initally were interested in had been in humane societies for very long periods of time, i.e. most of their 2-year lives. When we said we weren't interested in these dogs, she suggested a different dog, and when we weren't interested in that dog, she showed us a 4th dog. Then the "nursing mom" foster dog came out (assuming a couple of puppies too) plus she had another "problem" dog.

Yes - I did get a little weirded out on this. That is just too many dogs in one house.

We have been approved by a different rescue (just for labs) and while we expressed some interest in 2 of their dogs, we weren't first on the list, and they went to new families who "beat us to the punch".

We expressed interest in a different lab that needed to be rehomed becasue the owner had died from cancer. Someone else also beat us to this one.

There is an 8 year old dog from a humane society that we definitley want to meet, and this is now starting to drag out. (dog came in as a stray, needs to have a rabies shot before he can meet people.) The vet couldn't do the shot on Friday because dog was running a temp. This dog has a face that looks "happy-happy", very similar to facial expressions that our recent dog had. I really want to just meet this dog - his picture has a personality that looks awesome.

Our house just feels empty. That is it. Just empty. It is so hard waiting to find the right dog.

We did stop by the doggie daycare that we took our dog too today. They were having an open house. I got a huge "labbie lean" today from one of the trainer's dogs. Plus I got some puppy love from her new 4-month old black lab. That was nice. I just want my own dog - with a cool personality, just like my old dog had.

OK - I need to get over this. The right dog will come along for us.

 

[pixiewings71]

petfinder.com is that where he started? We found a great dog there.

Sorry you lost your dog, I hope you find another one soon. Don't rush it tho, your perfect pup is out there waiting for you.

 

[clh2]

petfinder.com is that where he started? We found a great dog there.

Sorry you lost your dog, I hope you find another one soon. Don't rush it tho, your perfect pup is out there waiting for you.

My husband is looking EVERYWHERE for a dog almost to the point of stressing me out. Humane Societies, rescues etc. Most of the HS's and the rescues use petfinders for their listings. At least, he understands my hesitation for working with the rescues that seem to be popping up everywhere, importing tons of dogs from the south. So - maybe that was a good thing.

He has stressed me out so badly in the past week, that I opted for us to NOT go to a big dog show today, (where the lab rescue that we are approved for is exhibiting), and then we went to the daycare open house instead. (The locations and times did not allow us to do both.) I got some doggy love today, so it wasn't all bad.

 

[minkydog]

Just my opinion, but I don't think you're ready. Take a deep breath. It's only been a month and your husband is going at it like he's killing a snake. Perhaps both of you need to take a break. The right dog is out there, I promise. There are THOUSANDS of dogs out there who need a new home. But that doesn't mean you have to take them NOW. Maybe if you take a break from the hunt your doggie can find you.

 

[pat fan]

I understand where you are coming from. We had to put our Greyhound down a little less than a month ago from cancer as well. I just started looking the other day and it's very hard for me to watch healthy Grey's running around in video on line, so I haven't been able to go see any in person. Not even sure I want another Grey, even though he was an awesome dog. maybe just too painful. Give yourself a little more time, although I sure understand the need to fill the deafening quiet. Hugs to you

 

[Disney Doll]

Tell hubby to simmer down. The right dog will find you when it's time.

And when it's time, a good palce to ask is at your vet. They often know of other patients who will be having puppies etc.

 

[clh2]

Tell hubby to simmer down. The right dog will find you when it's time.

And when it's time, a good palce to ask is at your vet. They often know of other patients who will be having puppies etc.

I'm laughing (at my DH) on this comment. DH didn't settle down on the "look at this dog, look at that dog" until after we visited the rescue yesterday. I think NOW he "get's where I am coming from".

Our vet is well aware of our situation. We let them know anytime we use their name as a reference. Even our vet and the techs loved our dog. They were all in tears when he was put down. Our dog LOVED going there, so if any of their patients were in dire straights, and needed to rehome a dog, no doubt they would send us an e-mail or give us a call.

And while I'm sure they know if any of their patients have "buns in the oven", we REALLY, REALLY are looking for an older dog. We got our amazing dog when he was 8 years old. And while we had him for onlly 4 short years, it was totally worth it. We want an "instant dog" where all we need to add is the love. Sounds odd, yes I know. But that is what we had with Riley.

 

[minniecarousel]

I don't think it's at all odd that you want an older dog. I think it's cool! I'm sure there are plenty of older dogs needing homes - the right one just hasn't met you yet!

Hang in there.

 

[clh2]

I understand where you are coming from. We had to put our Greyhound down a little less than a month ago from cancer as well. I just started looking the other day and it's very hard for me to watch healthy Grey's running around in video on line, so I haven't been able to go see any in person. Not even sure I want another Grey, even though he was an awesome dog. maybe just too painful. Give yourself a little more time, although I sure understand the need to fill the deafening quiet. Hugs to you

I'm so sorry for your loss. Those furbabies sure take a piece of our hearts with them. Luckily, they leave us a piece of theirs.

 

[Disney Doll]

Not silly at all that you want an lder dog. Vets may know about someone who has to get rid of their dog for some reason,regardless of age, so that's why I suggested that. We got our late dog Ted via a tip from a vet. He was a year old when we got him from a family who couldn't keep him due to severe allergies.

Good luck...I truly do believe that our dogs find us....

 

[clh2]

Good luck...I truly do believe that our dogs find us....

So true...so true...

I still feel that Riley picked us out at the humane society - not us that picked him.

 

[NMAmy]

First off, I'm really sorry that you've lost your dog. I know how heartbreaking that can be. But I have to ask if you're really ready for a new dog. Please read the few sentences I pulled out of your posts on this thread.

This dog has a face that looks "happy-happy", very similar to facial expressions that our recent dog had. I really want to just meet this dog - his picture has a personality that looks awesome.

I just want my own dog - with a cool personality, just like my old dog had.

We want an "instant dog" where all we need to add is the love. Sounds odd, yes I know. But that is what we had with Riley.

It's inevitable that you'll compare a new dog with Riley. But I think that right now, you're putting too much emphasis on finding a dog that's just like your old dog and you're bound to be disappointed because no dog is going to be Riley. If you give yourself some time to grieve, then later you could look for a new pal that has his own personality--not a new Riley, kwim?

I'm sorry that you're struggling with this right now. I hope all goes well. Eventually, you'll find the perfect pet for you.

 

[EMom]

First off, I'm really sorry that you've lost your dog. I know how heartbreaking that can be. But I have to ask if you're really ready for a new dog. Please read the few sentences I pulled out of your posts on this thread.

It's inevitable that you'll compare a new dog with Riley. But I think that right now, you're putting too much emphasis on finding a dog that's just like your old dog and you're bound to be disappointed because no dog is going to be Riley. If you give yourself some time to grieve, then later you could look for a new pal that has his own personality--not a new Riley, kwim?

I'm sorry that you're struggling with this right now. I hope all goes well. Eventually, you'll find the perfect pet for you.

That is something to think about, although only you know the answer. Our precious 19 y.o. brown tabby Maine Coon died in August and the one kind of cat I do NOT want is another brown tabby. I think they are beautiful, but they would remind me too much of her. I'm also afraid I'd compare them to her and that's not fair. They need to be judged for themselves and be their own "cat." I can't replace her....So I want a cat that looks unlike her.

 

[Agri]

My childhood dog had to be put down in 2004. He was a sheltie and my mom immediately wanted to go out and get another sheltie because she is a dog person and wanted to have another one like him in the house. I refused to get another sheltie - it was just too soon for me. By the end of the year, I had two cats (my first time owning cats) and she had a German Shepard. It was not until May of this year that I met a puppy that I was ready to get attached to again and take home - and of course, she's a sheltie.

So - take your time. You need to give yourself time to grieve and move on. Eventually you will stop wanting to find a dog just like Riley, because there will never be another dog just like him. Instead, you will be able to open your heart and find the dog (or other animal) that wants to come home with you.