Dogs, Plural
This morning, this little dog showed up at my vet’s, apparently abandoned.
He’s apparently about two years old, friendly but calm, and very sweet. I’m not sure what’s up with the pink skin around his eyes; possibly it’s because his hair is completely, horribly matted — worse than anything I’ve ever seen in my life, the poor little guy. The mats are all down his back, on his belly, on both ears, and seem to gather up all the loose hair around and pull it tightly. Despite the obvious neglect and probable abandonment he’s been through, he seemed very happy just to lie on the floor and let me rub his shoulders and belly.
I’m seriously considering adopting him, if he and Nigel get along. I’m pretty sure that Nigel would love to have a companion, and given the state of the real estate market, it’s unlikely that I’ll be moving to a larger place with a yard during his probable lifetime. A little dog like Gizmo, as they’re calling him, is about as big as I probably should go. He seemed pretty laid-back, which is definitely good, and I loved his little pointy ears.
The thing is, it’s scary considering adopting another dog. I’ve never had more than one dog at a time; what if I screw it up? What if the pack dynamics are horrible? What if there are dangers in my flat that I’ve never noticed because Nigel doesn’t care about them (e.g., yarn), but the new dog finds irresistible and then gets hurt? What if I decide later it’s all a horrible mistake, and I can’t deal with it? (There were times in Nigel’s puppyhood, usually when he’d just taken the sheets off the bed and torn holes in the mattress, that I was convinced the whole thing was the worst mistake possible.) Do I have the time to do this properly, and make sure both Nigel and the new dog get what they need? Can I afford another dog right now, one with an unknown medical history and ongoing grooming needs, with my medical bills and the possibility that, as he ages, Nigel will continue to surprise me with $1000+ emergencies?
On the other hand, can I sit back and do nothing, if there’s a reasonable chance it could work out well?
This is bad timing. I’m leaving for the meeting tomorrow, and really should be asleep by now, but I’m too worked up. I don’t know what to do. The vet is holding him, though, and will give him and Nigel a chance to get to know each other. At least I’ve got a little time to decide, though I’ll hardly have a lot of mental energy to devote to the task.
(Access to the Internet will probably be spotty for a while. I’ll post when I can.)
You have valid concerns about adopting the little doggy, but for me the main question would be, “Will anyone else take him?” (And if not, what will happen to him?) If you are his only likely hope, I’d go for it. Everything else will work itself out.
We just adopted a little Dachsund. We came so close to not getting him, because they described him as hyper, and said he is picky about his dog friends (which in our house is not a good thing.) However, I was reluctant to let the matter drop. We brought our little dog to meet him and the 1st meeting wasn’t so great, but they spent a bit of time together and got used to each other. I had a sense that it was more the surroundings (the shelter w/ lots of barking dogs) than the 2 dogs in question. We brought our big boy to meet him and the little guy liked him straight away, so we said, “Right! You’re coming home.” When he got here it took him about all of a few minutes to feel right at home, and he was playing and running w/ all the dogs, and chasing the cats (which they weren’t thrilled about.) And he is absolutely in love w/ his daddy. We were SO happy, but also shaken by how close we’d come to NOT getting him. (But o/c I’m still thinking about all the other dogs I didn’t get.)
Don’t be afraid to have more than one dog; I can’t (or don’t want to) imagine my life w/ just one (or none.) I’m sure you know your building’s pet policy; it would be even more tragic to take him in and have to give him up later.
PS - Andy the Greyhound died of cancer in March. That same week our Bert (hound) was diagnosed w/ diabetes. We’ve all learned to cope (I never thought I’d be able to give shots but I do it every day) and he’s doing well. Having our other babies helped us survive the loss of our beautiful Andy.
June 20th, 2008 | #
Thanks for your advice and story of introducing a new dog to your home — it really was extremely helpful. Never having done this before, I can use all the ideas I can get. And I’m so sorry about Andy; I wish there was something I could do, but know that at least my thoughts are with you. (I know Bert’s diagnosis isn’t fun, either, but I’m grateful that at least it’s treatable.)
The erstwhile Gizmo would have gone to a rescue program if I hadn’t taken him, so at least I wasn’t his last chance, but keeping a dog out of the system frees up a space for another, possibly needier dog . . . or so I’m thinking.
June 26th, 2008 | #
Thanks for your comments about my boys. When I got Bert’s diagnosis I burst into tears, but my vet assured me it was treatable. And the good thing is that I think we caught it quite early. He’d had bloodwork done about a month or so before his diagnosis, and he was NOT diabetic at that time.
Whoa.. when you say the “erstwhile Gizmo”, does that mean…. or does it just mean he has another name now? The latter, I sincerely hope!
Assuming all is well, do I take it that you’ve decided to adopt him? You are totally right about freeing up a space for another dog. I’ve read opinions that one should adopt from a shelter that euthanizes, because that saves a life. I can understand (and to an extent agree with) that concept; however, I feel that ANY pet adopted from a shelter or rescue group is saving a life. Many no-kill shelters or groups actually get some of their animals off of “death row” from other shelters. And alot of animals that are turned in to no-kills would have ended up either being dumped or turned in to kill shelters (an oxymoron?) if those groups hadn’t been available, so I still feel like I’m saving a life wherever I adopt from.
Off my soapbox now… If you need any advice concerning a multiple pet household feel free to seek me out. I have much experience! I’ve got to say that either we’ve got a special household, or I’ve had great good luck with incredible animals, because except for the occasional minor skirmish, all my animals have always lived in harmony.
June 27th, 2008 | #