Nobody Gets a Puppy When They Have a 7 Month Old Baby...Riiiiiiiight???

[Adina P]

Where to begin?

Since losing two of our three wonderful dogs earlier this year, we've thought and talked and pondered the idea of adding another doodle.  I've looked and looked at possible breeders...hoping for a chocolate or black F1 (or F1 looking) pup. 

I started communicating with a few breeders...with the intention of a possible pup NEXT year.  2011.  We were/are looking at one breeder more seriously....  That same breeder has a litter on the ground NOW, ready for the end of July. 

So then we thought...well...maybe THIS summer might be better.  Who wants to potty train in the winter when you can do it in nice weather?  So I collected some opinions and then decided ... no.  Why ruin a good thing?  There's a baby who will crawl soon that's like a puppy or two in herself.  And there's Rosco who is the lowest maintenance dog I can imagine...well behaved, easy-going, loving and settled.  Done deal.  No puppy.  And so I've told myself and others over and over and over again.

But of course...I still looked. And since I was considering this breeder...I still had to visit her home, right?  I still had to meet the parents of the 'future' litter and see how puppies live, etc.  That's where I went today.  My evil husband told me "and if you bring one home, that's okay" (here everyone is trying to convince their husbands to let them get another dood...and mine is trying to ruin my resolve to NOT get one).

Natalie and I paid a visit to a 5 week old litter of reds, apricots, and creams.  I flexed my "puppy-resistance" muscles, took my anti-puppy supplement, packed up Natalie and drove 2 hours.

And all was fine.  I didn't feel like I *HAD* to leave with one...but there were some cuuuute ones!  And in showing Clark the photos we got to talking more about what it would take to make bringing home a puppy this summer WORK.

Here's where we're at though...while there is no 'hurry' here's my dilemma(s) and some positives:

-- Rosco is a big dog...big dogs don't usually last for 15+ years.  Since we want to get a second dog while he's around...if we wait too long, we're worried he'll be too old to like the puppy and it will mostly be a nuisance to him, rather than a friend.  Clark thinks he waited too long in Cass' life to add Thule.  Cass was 10 and she really didn't ever play with Thule or interact with her, except competitively.  It didn't brighten her day, anyway.

-- Natalie is 7 months old.  She'll crawl soon.  And yet...we want more kids...and if we waited till all our potential babies were 5 years old...it will be awhile and we might be down to a one dog house again.  We WANT two dogs of different ages.  Not that this can be always planned precisely, but it's something to think about.  It might be better to get the pup now because by the time any future kids come along...it will be surely done potty training and out of nipping stage and more or less have basic manners and obedience down pat.  Yes it will take more time to train while I have a babe under 1 year old...but it would take even MORE time with several kiddos around, right?

-- Here I am, an admin of a big doodle site.  I don't want to set a 'bad' example...so I feel some pressure.

-- The area that is now our 'mud room' is a great spot for gating off puppy.  It is right next to the back door and perfect for confinement away from Natalie and a safe place to slowly acclimate puppy to our home.  We have baby gates and crates and expens...it can't be too hard to make it work.

-- Socialization seems relatively a non-issue.  I can take puppy many safe places while Natalie is in a front pack that I wear or in her stroller...both able to experience the world.

I'm not a 'newbie' dog owner...so I have a decent skill set at dog care.  Am I crazy?  One adviser told me essentially "sure you could do it, and do it well...but WHY?"  And I don't have an answer other than I kinda want to!  And it kind of scares me. 

So help me out friends!  I don't want puppy cheerleaders giving me the "rah rah rah...get a puppy!"  I want sincere, thought-out, advice.  Help me sort this out.  To get a puppy or not to get a puppy!?

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

LOL....we must be married to the same guy!!! I am like you. But....I am also older than you :) and I have learned.... you do what you have to do to make it work, and it does!!! The "art of flexibility" is important for kids and animals..and life. I could back track on what I said earlier as to "wait" after reading all the pros and cons. There never really is a RIGHT time. You just "do it" and it will work. Each step is a challenge no matter what age the kids are.

That being said. Today is my birthday and my husband sends me an e-card with this on it:He wrote the poem, by the way!!!!!!
You're always very special
And you should know today
That you are wished the nicest things
That life can bring your way

Like warm and loving wishes
And happiness and cheer
And everything you need to start
Another happy year

So for this day
Lucca wants you to get a lift
By finding a brother or sister
As your birthday gift

Lucca sends his love along with Bruce

We have been "talking" about another dog, but we still have Ben too (8 Year old golden). Now the reality strikes and like you I am nervous and excited. Now, I too have to make a decision because my life will change too!! But isn't the DH sweet!!!! Loved him for 30+ years!!!

Good luck on your decision!!!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

What a loving poem. Really heartwarming.

[Amy Murphy]

A thought - don't let Natlie learn how to crawl. :)

[Camilla and Darwin]

I vote puppy. I really think that if everyone waited for the absolute best, no risk involved time to get a puppy, nobody would have a dog! There is always something be it kids, obligations, housing, etc. Of course you should be prepared, but you are a responsible dog owner, and we all know you will take good care of another dog. I wish I had grown up with dogs, and it's probably good for a puppy to grow up around a young child too. I say go for it!

[Dr. Judith P. LaVorgna]

Adina...I think you should go for it! You have obviously done alot of thinking about this and discussing with Clark...that's all good and gives you that forward momentum which releases some good hormones in the strength to find and bring home a new friend. I think it would be Roscoe I would be more concerned about...not greatly, but how he percieves an additional furry member of the family. He's been there for a good part with you and Natahlie. The wonder would be if he might not try and be a little more guarding of the baby. On the other hand, there will be time, important time, for him to make friends with the pup and percieve him as a non-threat. And I know you and Clark will work on that as the pup joins the family. Your girl is at a great stage to have a new fur friend. She's not apt to throw a lego at the pup, or grab and pull hard and rip at an ear flap. She will soon start the words you use in training the pup...even if she just is stuggling with "no" becoming "snow"! Ex pen as it is necessary if the baby's toes become chew toys. Yes, lots of energy...but energy is always increased by the laughter of having a pup around...and good lessons for the baby on learning to love and treat tenderly this new living addition. That this is so important to you is just testament a puppy is probably in your near future. The real work in a way is the first few months once you have the pup, thereafter, re-enforcement. And, a perfect time for the impressionable baby to listen and observe. For sure I would probably try and introduce Roscoe to the pup while a friend or famlily member watches Natahlie. Get them used to one another for a few hours and then add the baby to the mix..dogs will be pooped and I think you'll find the family's first time as a unit an easier introduction. Sounds like a great time to me. And on a lighter note, we don't read too often about a new pup have a child sandwhich for lunch if you know what I mean. Sniffing, and touching with a paw, a little lick or too...bonding all around. Woof and tail wags ; )

[LG & Sadie]

Are you prepared for a puppy who might be much different than the dogs you have had in the past? Say, a puppy with a seizure disorder, anxiety disorder, or worse. Worse? Say a puppy who has trouble with kids.....would you stand by this new pup the way you have with your other dogs and get thru all the muck of it in order to add this dog to your family? Just being a devil's advocate-because from what little I know of you...I am inclined to be a puppy cheerleader. :-)

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I personally think that the majority of your battle is knowing what you will be in for an not looking at it with rose colored glasses. Knowing what you are facing is a HUGE step in the right direction :-) If it is something that you and Clark both think you can make work and it is something that you WANT then go for it. No one can judge until they have walked a mile in your shoes. I think Natalie will love having a dog that she can grow up with and will look back and appreciate it. They will be connected in a way being the same age ;-)

[Lynda Kamrath]

Sorry, Adina and Clark, about Cass. I did not know that she had also gone to the Rainbow Bridge. Well, as you probably know, I am a great advocate of having two dogs. They also need their companionship. And we have found with our last three dogs that an older dog, male or female, will take the responsibility of training a new puppy. We really had no problems at all with house training our pups. I know you like crates, but I do not use them. We would get a cheap baby playpen for the new puppy and keep the puppy in the playpen anytime that he was in the house until he was housetrained. Take the puppy to the area where you want him to eliminate first thing in the morning, then feed him (her) and let him play outside with the older dog. When the dog tires out, then bring into the house and into the playpen (or crate). So the puppy sleeps in the house and plays and poops outside. It definitely worked for us. But, you will want to get the puppy trained before the cold weather sinks in, so I would say, yes, now is the right time. I know Rosco will rise to the occasion and take on the responsibility of the puppy. He will have his baby, and you will have yours. The answer to the WHY is for Rosco, not for you. No, you don't need another puppy, but Rosco does.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Woiw! This is greater than the LeBron James Debate :) What to do, what to do?

Maybe you will make your announcement with your decision tomorrow night at 9pm also.

On another note; Do you have an SUV? You'll need one of those too.

[Adina P]

ROFL. I was wondering why nobody had brought up the SUV argument!!! ;-) Perhaps human baby #2 will lead to the SUV...until then we're big on small.

(I have no idea what is being debated about LaBron...I'm lucky to know he's a basketball player )

[F, Calla & Luca]

I like big on small :)

[Janice Allocco-Ange]

LOL! There's a lot of anxious fans waiting for LeBron and Addina to make a decision!