One Dog is Enough

I appreciated all the valuable input on my last post, regarding whether to get a second dog. It amazed me how many bloggers have (or have had) multiple dogs, which made me realize I'm not alone in my canine craziness! It was a hard decision, though, because I had gotten somewhat attached to a potential dog on Petfinder. It's astounding how quickly you can bond to a photo and a one paragraph description.

But we decided now is not the right time for us to add another dog to our family. Our cat Angie is over 15-years old, and although she's doing well with Cabana, we felt we should let her live out her senior years in relative peace. Also, our older daughter will be going to college in a year, and with that will come financial changes, as well as lots of travel, depending on where she ends up. Those financial changes may also lead to a job change for me, maybe one that doesn't allow me to work from home.

For now, I'll continue to work on obedience with Cabana--I'm still hoping she'll become a therapy dog or a reading buddy for children. Of course, she'll still get plenty of playtime with canine buddies at the park, with occasional sleepovers from Guide Dog or friends' puppysittees. In July, we're looking forward to a long puppysitting visit from GDB puppy, Dagan! So for now, I think we're getting the best of both the one-dog and two-dog worlds.

In the meantime, I will NOT allow myself to look at Petfinder. Cripes, that's going to take some major willpower.

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Tuesday Topics #28 - Is Two Really Better Than One?

This is my favorite photo from the "Best Buddies" photo contest at MarthaStewart.com. Click on the link to see a slideshow of all the friendly pairings.

The photo leads me to the subject of this week's Tuesday Topic--getting a second dog. We are just LIGHTLY considering it, mind you! My family ended up really enjoying our week with Bucky, although he wasn't exactly the best match for Cabana as a playmate. But it was nice having more dog to go around. Even though Cabana was career changed for being "too much dog", she's not always ENOUGH dog for four humans! More importantly, the right dog would be a great companion for Cabana.

We could raise another puppy for Guide Dogs--but not all members of my family are into puppies (I know, how could you not be into puppies??). We also considered fostering dogs for rescue organizations. I really like this option because the need is so great--and it isn't a lifetime commitment. Personally, I enjoy the temporary nature of both raising for Guide Dogs and fostering. But my family isn't on that page with me--they don't relish the transitions and the unknowns, whereas I'm attracted to those challenges.

So we've been looking into getting a rescue dog. Surfing Petfinder.com is addicting (hi, my name is Mimi, and I'm a Petfinder addict). But do we really want a second dog? Isn't one more than enough?! Asking a friend to watch one dog isn't too difficult, but how many people would be willing to watch two? What about the expense, the vet bills, the massive amounts of dog hair, and piles the poop? I like having a clean house--isn't that going to be nearly impossible with a second dog?

I know many, if not most, of you have multiple dogs. Why, are you nuts? Any regrets? Or is it like, if you have one, you may as well have two? Strong doses of reality welcomed--lay it on me!

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