Should we get another dog??

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goldypops

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Hi, if you read my post below re heart murmer and strokes you will have seen that actually my poor doggy has a brain tumor. He is going on steroids to help reduce it and give him a better quality of life for a few months. We have been humming and haaing about getting another dog for a while now and my question is what does everyone think? Zak seems to cheer up greatly when he meets/is with another dog and maybe a bit of canine company will help his last few months be better. Also he wont be going out for walks so wont be meeting any other dogs unless we do this. We have 2 small children and when he does get PTS it may make it less painful for them? Really dont know what to do for the best, want to give him as much attention and love as possible!
 
Im not too sure tbh. I know someone who did in your situation and it worked out okay (except they didnt have children), it really depends whether you think you can cope or not, I know I find it hard at times with 2 small children at the best of times, just bear in mind a puppy (if thats what you were considering) will be a lot more bouncier than the adults you meet out on walks.

Best of luck in what you decide to do and wishing you lots of hugs with Zak xxx
 
Personally I wouldn't get a puppy. They can give an older dog a bit of a hard time and you would regret it if you felt your old boy was not happy. Last year some friends of mine had an 8 year old CKCS who had an increasingly bad heart. Because they knew he didn't have that long they bought a labrador pup which they thought would perk him up a bit (they had had another dog but that had died a few months previously). The pup was a typical bouncy lab and made the poor Cavaliers life a misery, so much so that he went down hill rapidly and had to be pts within a couple of months of them getting the lab. Altho they love the lab dearly now I know that for quite a while they resented him as they felt he had shortened the little dogs life.
Sorry, rambled on a bit there, I know it is hard when you have children as you worry about how they will cope but I really think you would be better just concentrating on Zak for now.
 
Hi, thanks for your comments. We wouldnt be getting a puppy at all, due to coping and bouncy etc but were looking at an older rescue dog. Know there are still some of the same issues involved and dont want t0 make his life miserable but just taken Zak out for a little walk round the fields and met someone with 4 dogs. After initially picking Zak up so that he didnt get bowled over I stopped for a chat and put him down on the floor. To see his little tail going ten to the dozen (something it hasnt done for a month) and trying to run round and say hello to them does sway me in the direction of getting another one. but still unsure.
 
Sorry, shouldn't have assumed you were thinking of a puppy. If you have a rescue kennel near you why don't you contact them and explain your situation. If they have something suitable they might let you take it for a couple of little walks with Zak to see how they get on, might help you make a decision. Good luck.
 
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