cbmcts
Well-Known Member
Sitting at home at the moment musing...
Two weeks ago I lost my beloved rottweiler to bone cancer - he was the subject of another thread here - and while I knew he wasn't going to make old bones due to an adrenal tumour and other issues I really didn't expect to lose him so quickly iYSWIM.
I miss him dreadfully but in an odd way I'm glad that he isn't going to suffer anymore and that I didn't have the months of worrying was he ok, was it time to make a decision yet and so on (as anybody whoever had a terminally ill pet will understand, I hope.)
I also have the 'demon' terrier, 10 years old, very cute, bright but with a tendency to try and savage other dogs as an introduction, after that he usually settles down and plays. He lived very happily with the rottie and my previous ancient JRT in the 20 months since I've had him but I have to be realistic here he can be a little s**t with other dogs Buuuut and this is the big but the rottie was a saint among dogs when it came to stroppy little terriers - he never, ever retaliated even when they were really having a pop at him and he had plenty of practise in this patience as he lived with 2 bitches (who were fairly nice to him unless he stood on them!) and also spent huge amounts of time with up to 8 extra at the yard who often weren't at all nice to him. The old JRT was a benign dictator who even at 20 years had the d terrier on his back with her jaws round his neck once or twice until he remembered his manners.
The dilemma I have now is in 2 parts
I miss having a big dog. I miss the size and the big dog personality. I've had a fair few rotts and rott crosses since I was a child and I love the breed. This last dog was special though and I adored him despite or maybe because he had so many (physical) problems. I'm afraid that I'll try and replace him or even worse compare another dog to him. I made a bit of a mistake getting d terrier a bit too quickly after I lost another dog very suddenly - a suitable dog became available quickly in rescue when I thought it would take a while - and I struggled a bit as they were similar breed and looks but miles apart in personality! I do love him to bits though.
The other part is that d terrier is pining - he pined when the old girl went and he is really missing the big dog, his playmate. I work so he is at home alone when I'm out . Sometimes he can come to work with me but it does depend on where I am based at the time and at the moment I'm on client sites (Smelly, gobby terrier definitely not welcome there!) So, a lonely friendless pup at home right now. Even so, will he start a ruck with a new 'friend' while I'm out and I'll come back to one or both injured?
Right, finally getting to the point - I want to think about a new dog, it can't be a puppy because of all the obvious reasons, no reputable breeder will sell to a full time worker, I would struggle to house train etc with work especially at this time of year, being left for too long etc, etc so it would have to be a rescue. I do have contacts at a rescue that will rehome a suitable ie older, used to being left dog with me despite working. But is it too much of a risk of a nasty dog fight? Is it a lot to ask of any dog. let alone a potentially unknown dog to put up with gob on a stick without retaliating when I can't give constant supervision? Crating while I'm out isn't an option because of the length of time and anyway the whole point is for DT to have a friend... really, can I safely find a saint?
I know I'm making little dog out to be a horror - well, he can be but most of the time he plays very happily and well with other dogs but if there's a dispute his teeth do come into use and as soon as the other dog backs down, the game starts again. He's just got little man syndrome .
Opinions, ideas?
I've just started on a packet of bourbons that I'll happily share but you'll need to be quick
Two weeks ago I lost my beloved rottweiler to bone cancer - he was the subject of another thread here - and while I knew he wasn't going to make old bones due to an adrenal tumour and other issues I really didn't expect to lose him so quickly iYSWIM.
I miss him dreadfully but in an odd way I'm glad that he isn't going to suffer anymore and that I didn't have the months of worrying was he ok, was it time to make a decision yet and so on (as anybody whoever had a terminally ill pet will understand, I hope.)
I also have the 'demon' terrier, 10 years old, very cute, bright but with a tendency to try and savage other dogs as an introduction, after that he usually settles down and plays. He lived very happily with the rottie and my previous ancient JRT in the 20 months since I've had him but I have to be realistic here he can be a little s**t with other dogs Buuuut and this is the big but the rottie was a saint among dogs when it came to stroppy little terriers - he never, ever retaliated even when they were really having a pop at him and he had plenty of practise in this patience as he lived with 2 bitches (who were fairly nice to him unless he stood on them!) and also spent huge amounts of time with up to 8 extra at the yard who often weren't at all nice to him. The old JRT was a benign dictator who even at 20 years had the d terrier on his back with her jaws round his neck once or twice until he remembered his manners.
The dilemma I have now is in 2 parts
I miss having a big dog. I miss the size and the big dog personality. I've had a fair few rotts and rott crosses since I was a child and I love the breed. This last dog was special though and I adored him despite or maybe because he had so many (physical) problems. I'm afraid that I'll try and replace him or even worse compare another dog to him. I made a bit of a mistake getting d terrier a bit too quickly after I lost another dog very suddenly - a suitable dog became available quickly in rescue when I thought it would take a while - and I struggled a bit as they were similar breed and looks but miles apart in personality! I do love him to bits though.
The other part is that d terrier is pining - he pined when the old girl went and he is really missing the big dog, his playmate. I work so he is at home alone when I'm out . Sometimes he can come to work with me but it does depend on where I am based at the time and at the moment I'm on client sites (Smelly, gobby terrier definitely not welcome there!) So, a lonely friendless pup at home right now. Even so, will he start a ruck with a new 'friend' while I'm out and I'll come back to one or both injured?
Right, finally getting to the point - I want to think about a new dog, it can't be a puppy because of all the obvious reasons, no reputable breeder will sell to a full time worker, I would struggle to house train etc with work especially at this time of year, being left for too long etc, etc so it would have to be a rescue. I do have contacts at a rescue that will rehome a suitable ie older, used to being left dog with me despite working. But is it too much of a risk of a nasty dog fight? Is it a lot to ask of any dog. let alone a potentially unknown dog to put up with gob on a stick without retaliating when I can't give constant supervision? Crating while I'm out isn't an option because of the length of time and anyway the whole point is for DT to have a friend... really, can I safely find a saint?
I know I'm making little dog out to be a horror - well, he can be but most of the time he plays very happily and well with other dogs but if there's a dispute his teeth do come into use and as soon as the other dog backs down, the game starts again. He's just got little man syndrome .
Opinions, ideas?
I've just started on a packet of bourbons that I'll happily share but you'll need to be quick