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shipperxI find that I have a bit of a low level depression going on at night. It's incredible how habituated you become to certain things and I find myself almost enacting patterns associated with my cat such as checking the chair next to me, or heading into the kitchen just before bed, or closing the bedroom door behind me in the morning. It's when I catch myself mindlessly about to start one of these rituals that I have a pang in my heart. I miss her.
And... dog hunting is exhausting. The internet has actually made an overload of information. There are just too many options. I actually applied for one rescue pup (who was adorable!) but it turned out that it had a few issues that wouldn't work well with my situation (It was the running/escaping. I live near a VERY busy road (and not far from an incredibly busy commuting highway) and an escape artist could pose a danger to itself if it wandered more than a few houses away.
Plus, it snapped at small pets and my mom has a cat that she absolutely adores while my sister has a 9lb poodle that she does, so snapping at small pets is also a problem). So... I moved on. Adorable pet, but I tend to think it's important to be aware of the nature of a breed as well as of a specific dog.
I don't want to feel that I have to remake a dog, because I'm not sure how successful it is to remake. Like cats there's some stuff that's just there. My sister's poodle clearly has bird dog in her... and it comes out in her ball obsession (which is quite cute. But it goes back to poodles being a type of retriever and it comes out in having a love of ballplay like whoa).
Certain breed/types are happier in some situations than others. Best to find a nice confluence of what a certain dog needs and what I can provide. I think this particular pup would be happier somewhere a bit more rural and without small, harmable competition.
I've actually been considering puppies, because when I think of all the dogs my family has owned, we've never had behavior problems but we've also always raised our dogs from pups. Given that I have retired parents that live very close, who also tend to drop by during the day simply so that they have some reason to get out of the house (and they were wonderful when my kitty was ill. Mom came over to check on her every. single. day. when I was at work. And she stayed with Carly all day her last day), I think I can manage a pup. Plus if I can socialize it with my mother's cat, that means I can eventually adopt a cat as well.
So I've scoured around for puppies... and sheesh. Again, information overload. Right now I have a line on a 3 month old Havanese and a 2 week old toy poodle (yeah, that one is with its mom and may be 'reserved' but won't actually be 'available' until March).
Speaking of, sheesh poodles must have gone majorly out of style. Do you know how difficult it has become to FIND a poodle? There are some standard poodles around, but trying to find a miniature is completely impossible. I literally have found no miniature poodle within a reasonable distance. And even toy poodles have become difficult to find. It seems there's every kind of shi-poo, malti-poo, schnoodle, and goldendoodle-- every cross breed imaginable -- but trying to find a plain old miniature poodle has become difficult! (Although, I would consider a schnoodle).
... and I have to admit that I have a soft spot for miniature poodles because that was the dog I had when growing up. I had a sweet as pie black miniature poodle that (and everyone always says this about the dog they had growing up) was one of the best dogs ever. She never knew that she was a poodle, because we never cut her like one or treated her like one... so she simply never knew. If I could find a mini like her, I'd snap her up.
I'll have to know more about the 2 week old toy (like what is the size, health, temperament of the parent(s) And, looking at the Animal Planet Pets 101 and the wiki on Havanese, I'm willing to explore those. They seem generally sturdy, trainable, and easy-going. All plusses. They are a warm weather dog, but, hey, warm weather climate here. And they need a lot of grooming, but grooming I can handle. I brushed my cat every day too (to reduce shedding... which she still did a lot of anyway, but, hey, that's pet ownership! :).
I've basically decided against a Maltese as they seem perhaps too small and too prone to separation anxiety. I realized the other day that I had somewhat subconsciously anticipated all breeds of dog to be like the dogs that I've had before. Then it struck me that all the dogs I've had before were poodles (who are independent little dogs) and I began to worry about dogs with really soft temperaments like the Maltese. After reading that the #1 reason for the surrender of Maltese was incessant barking, I began to think that adorably cute balls of fluff though they are, they may not be the correct breed for me.
And as gorgeous as Cavalier King Charles are (and oh they are gorgeous and lovely), they seem to have many health problems (congenital heart problems are common. Also problems because of their small sloped skulls)... though I might consider a Cavachon... except that still doesn't solve the health/heart problems.
I've considered a Bichon Frise (healthy, cheerful, long-lived) as well, but the only one available around here is a male, and call me sexist if you want, but I want a female.
I'm sure it'll work out in the end, and I'll fall in love with whatever I get, but I didn't know that trying to find one would be quite so overwhelming.
... and I still miss my kitty (which is why I'm not searching for a kitty. It seems somehow wrong to replace her with another kitty so soon. But I've been wanting a dog for years and had delayed doing so because I didn't want to stress my beloved, ancient cat. I will most probably have another kitty eventually... hence the wanting a well socialized dog. I'm depending on my mom's cat Gracie helping me teach a puppy to accept cats).
And... dog hunting is exhausting. The internet has actually made an overload of information. There are just too many options. I actually applied for one rescue pup (who was adorable!) but it turned out that it had a few issues that wouldn't work well with my situation (It was the running/escaping. I live near a VERY busy road (and not far from an incredibly busy commuting highway) and an escape artist could pose a danger to itself if it wandered more than a few houses away.
Plus, it snapped at small pets and my mom has a cat that she absolutely adores while my sister has a 9lb poodle that she does, so snapping at small pets is also a problem). So... I moved on. Adorable pet, but I tend to think it's important to be aware of the nature of a breed as well as of a specific dog.
I don't want to feel that I have to remake a dog, because I'm not sure how successful it is to remake. Like cats there's some stuff that's just there. My sister's poodle clearly has bird dog in her... and it comes out in her ball obsession (which is quite cute. But it goes back to poodles being a type of retriever and it comes out in having a love of ballplay like whoa).
Certain breed/types are happier in some situations than others. Best to find a nice confluence of what a certain dog needs and what I can provide. I think this particular pup would be happier somewhere a bit more rural and without small, harmable competition.
I've actually been considering puppies, because when I think of all the dogs my family has owned, we've never had behavior problems but we've also always raised our dogs from pups. Given that I have retired parents that live very close, who also tend to drop by during the day simply so that they have some reason to get out of the house (and they were wonderful when my kitty was ill. Mom came over to check on her every. single. day. when I was at work. And she stayed with Carly all day her last day), I think I can manage a pup. Plus if I can socialize it with my mother's cat, that means I can eventually adopt a cat as well.
So I've scoured around for puppies... and sheesh. Again, information overload. Right now I have a line on a 3 month old Havanese and a 2 week old toy poodle (yeah, that one is with its mom and may be 'reserved' but won't actually be 'available' until March).
Speaking of, sheesh poodles must have gone majorly out of style. Do you know how difficult it has become to FIND a poodle? There are some standard poodles around, but trying to find a miniature is completely impossible. I literally have found no miniature poodle within a reasonable distance. And even toy poodles have become difficult to find. It seems there's every kind of shi-poo, malti-poo, schnoodle, and goldendoodle-- every cross breed imaginable -- but trying to find a plain old miniature poodle has become difficult! (Although, I would consider a schnoodle).
... and I have to admit that I have a soft spot for miniature poodles because that was the dog I had when growing up. I had a sweet as pie black miniature poodle that (and everyone always says this about the dog they had growing up) was one of the best dogs ever. She never knew that she was a poodle, because we never cut her like one or treated her like one... so she simply never knew. If I could find a mini like her, I'd snap her up.
I'll have to know more about the 2 week old toy (like what is the size, health, temperament of the parent(s) And, looking at the Animal Planet Pets 101 and the wiki on Havanese, I'm willing to explore those. They seem generally sturdy, trainable, and easy-going. All plusses. They are a warm weather dog, but, hey, warm weather climate here. And they need a lot of grooming, but grooming I can handle. I brushed my cat every day too (to reduce shedding... which she still did a lot of anyway, but, hey, that's pet ownership! :).
I've basically decided against a Maltese as they seem perhaps too small and too prone to separation anxiety. I realized the other day that I had somewhat subconsciously anticipated all breeds of dog to be like the dogs that I've had before. Then it struck me that all the dogs I've had before were poodles (who are independent little dogs) and I began to worry about dogs with really soft temperaments like the Maltese. After reading that the #1 reason for the surrender of Maltese was incessant barking, I began to think that adorably cute balls of fluff though they are, they may not be the correct breed for me.
And as gorgeous as Cavalier King Charles are (and oh they are gorgeous and lovely), they seem to have many health problems (congenital heart problems are common. Also problems because of their small sloped skulls)... though I might consider a Cavachon... except that still doesn't solve the health/heart problems.
I've considered a Bichon Frise (healthy, cheerful, long-lived) as well, but the only one available around here is a male, and call me sexist if you want, but I want a female.
I'm sure it'll work out in the end, and I'll fall in love with whatever I get, but I didn't know that trying to find one would be quite so overwhelming.
... and I still miss my kitty (which is why I'm not searching for a kitty. It seems somehow wrong to replace her with another kitty so soon. But I've been wanting a dog for years and had delayed doing so because I didn't want to stress my beloved, ancient cat. I will most probably have another kitty eventually... hence the wanting a well socialized dog. I'm depending on my mom's cat Gracie helping me teach a puppy to accept cats).
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no subject
Date: 2012-02-03 03:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-03 02:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-03 03:49 am (UTC)And rescuing a pup will be SO good, for you and the lucky pup.
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Date: 2012-02-03 02:41 pm (UTC)I think having a puppy to pamper will be helpful.
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Date: 2012-02-03 05:20 am (UTC)And I'm very excited by your puppy search. You need to ask
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Date: 2012-02-03 02:40 pm (UTC)Reading about them, they sound like a good option.
Strangely on the pets 101, they're listed as 'rare' but searching for what's available around here, there are far more of them than there are of poodles!
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Date: 2012-02-03 03:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-03 03:19 pm (UTC)They have a lot of grooming needs, but grooming I can do. I do want a easy-going, trainable housedog, though... even if I have to brush it a lot. :)
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Date: 2012-02-03 08:48 am (UTC)Have you consider a senior pet? They are often quieter than a younger one but are still fine pets.
Poodles are fine dogs and they don't really need all those idiotic haircuts. My friend the dog trainer had a Standard and she was a lovely and very smart animal.
Good luck!
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Date: 2012-02-03 02:32 pm (UTC)As to a puppy, I think I'm probably in the best position for that that I will ever be. I have all the time in the world on nights and weekends. And with my parents having retired and moved quite close, they come by during the day, again, sometimes just so they can get out of the house. Dad does stuff like I mentioned that I couldn't find strawberry banana yogurt at Publix the other day because they were out, and I came home monday to find half-a-dozen strawberry banana yogurts stashed in the fridge. Or whenever he'd go to PetCo to get food for his cat, he'd drop by food for my own Or mom comes over just to piddle. (She apparently decided all my gloves and scarfs needed to be folded and stored in my cabinet in the living room the other day for some reason). Basically, I think they like to come up with something to do that gets them out of the house, so coming by to walk/check on a pup during my work day is something one or the other would happy to do. And unlike a cat, if they simply wanted to take the puppy home with them for the afternoon, that's fine because I drive right by their neighborhood on the commute home from work.
Because of their close-by and retired status, I have help these days that I wouldn't have had ten years ago when they lived in another part of the state. And my parents both adore pets, so I think it's manageable. I think I can establish a routine that will socialize the pet the way that I would wish, and I think that some extra-effort (probably some daytime puppy sitting where my parents actually take the puppy home with them during the day) can be done while the puppy is small.
I also live in relatively close proximity to a dog park that would be good for socializing a pup with strange dogs. And my sister and a neighbor have dogs that could help with having a 'familiar' dog to know.
I think it's do-able (in a good way).
no subject
Date: 2012-02-03 12:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-03 01:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-03 03:07 pm (UTC)Good luck with your search. And I know the loneliness and emptiness of a house after a long loved pet has died. I wasn't going to get any more pets after I had to put Nik to sleep, but I didn't last a week, and I have to say I wouldn't trade in my two boys for the world.
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Date: 2012-02-03 04:03 pm (UTC)I have small dogs, but rat terriers are lovely and cuddley but they are much more energetic than the breeds you're mentioning.
But have you thought of Pomeranians? All the Poms I meet are lovely.
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Date: 2012-02-03 05:04 pm (UTC)And, yeah, exercise/expenditure of energy needs are one of the factors I consider. My coworker mentioned that his wife takes their dog on her 3mi run ever morning, which is fantastic for a lot of breeds of dog. On the other hand my sister's Meggie would pass out after a 1/4 mi walk because for her short little legs that's a really long way. As I'm infinitely more likely to do the 1/4 mile walk than the 3mi.run (which would be never on the 3mi run) better to get one who has all the exercise she needs with a walk around the neighborhood.
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Date: 2012-02-03 06:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-03 06:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-03 06:26 pm (UTC)I still carefully close the bedroom door, and regularly talk to my black fur hat if I leave it on the furniture.
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Date: 2012-02-04 06:02 am (UTC)But I think you're wise not to go for the first cute dog you see. There are so many out there that you're sure to find one that fits your situation if you keep looking.
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Date: 2012-02-04 06:55 am (UTC)It wouldn't be a replacement. You'd be adding, not replacing. Please don't ever feel guilty about getting a new pet after a current pet dies; I'm sure the deceased pet would be pleased that another creature is going to experience the same happiness that he/she did in living with you. (Having said that, I do think that you're wise to want a good dynamic for your dog & cat team before you take the plunge and bring 'em home. It's going to take time and careful study to find a compatible dog/cat pair; it shouldn't be rushed.)
I know just what you mean about doing the cat stuff out of habit and then remembering that the cat's not there, and the sadness hitting you. It's a painful feeling. *hug*
I grew up with miniature poodles, too, and I think they're great dogs. Ours always got along fine with cats. A couple of our female poodles even allowed weaned kittens to latch onto their teats and start nursing again -- to the point that the dogs began lactating, even though they'd never given birth!