[Z-girls rock]

So I think this is a weird thing to say... but I feel sad that I cant get another rescue dog.

Not because my husband says no... but because I feel like my dog really loves being an only dog!

She has a Furry-Best-friend-forever (FBFF) who is my brothers dog. She sees him at least one day a week but usually more like 3 times per week. Because my parents pick her up and her FBFF up for a play date once or twice while we are at work.
Then we might see my brother and his family again on the weekend.

But the reason I think she LIKES being an only dog is;

• she loves getting all our attention
• she is very obsessed about her toys
• she gets sooo tired after her playdate days with her FBFF.

She was a rescue from the pound.

I cant help myself and I look at www.beaglerescuensw.org.au/ and http://www.jrtrescue.net/Jacks-for-Adoption.php (jack russel rescue) because Indai is a mix of Beagle and Jack Russell. I would love to get another rescue.

But I think Indai would not like it.

she will be fine when we have kids because she loves kids. She doesnt even touch their toys etc (she spends a lot of time with my nieces).

But I think she would be unhappy not being the only dog. I love her so much I dont want to make her sad.

here she is... with her moo:



do you think this is nuts??
can a dog like being an 'only child'?

This post has been edited by Z-girls rock: 01/02/2013, 12:11 PM

[littlesticky]

A bit off topic but my guinea pig was an only pig. She had a foster pig share her space for a few months and hated it. Guinea pigs are meant to be social animals but not this one. And they had heaps of room, half a bedroom size!

[ChexMix]

I'm sure my oldest dog would love to be an only dog! But she adapted, and still gets lots of love and attention The key was getting a second dog who will not push her when she tells him to bug off but also doesn't fall to pieces if he gets growled at.
She might have to adapt again soon too

[The Old Bag]

We fostered 2 dogs who had been together for years. They were both head cases in their own ways, and once they were separated to be adopted they both did a LOT better. No struggles for dominance and no competing for human affection.

[ChexMix]

Meant to add - if you do add a second dog there is a good (short!) book called "feeling outnumbered?" by Patricia McConnell which has some good tips on teaching dogs to wait their turn, to settle when another dog is getting attention etc.

This post has been edited by ChexMix: 01/02/2013, 12:36 PM

[Z-girls rock]

I dont think I should though...

she should want a furry brother or sister because she is part beagle.
Her FBFF is a beagle and he would LOVE it if he had a furry brother or sister (even though he has two human sisters - not the same thing LOL). In fact he would love it if Indai stayed with him.

But I feel like Indai is happy to play for a while, and then go home.

So I dont think I should get another dog.

Thanks for sharing. I thought maybe I was a nutter for thinking this

[MrsLexiK]

I actually think my dog is a bit like your dog. He loves to play and to have play dates and go to the off lesh park and spend good quality time with his "cousin" (OMG I am offically sad my dog has a cousin lol) BUT he loves his attention and loves his space and unlike alot of dogs I have known he just wanders off to the otherside of the house sometimes to sit by himself. (and this dog suffers anxiety issues)

[ChexMix]

You should do whatever you're comfortable with Z-girls! I added a dog because *I* wanted one, my 2 never play together and although my young boy adores my girl, she just blanks him.

But adding a second (or more) dog is always a risk, and it doesn't always turn out well If you are happy with your family and your dog is too, then that's the important thing Indai is gorgeous

[Z-girls rock]

oh no.

I was feeling all 'not getting another dog was the right thing for my Indai' (just better check that with EB) this morning...

but then there was the 'letter from the shelter worker' thread.

now I feel bad for not going and getting another rescue.