WWYD? Old dog and poss new puppy.

debsg

debsg

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Looking for other people's experiences and/or advice. Thanks x
I currently have two dogs, a 15yr old crossbreed terrier and an 11yr old Golden Retriever. Both have been with our family since they were 9 weeks old.
My little terrier is really feeling his age now. He has cataracts, his hearing is going and over the last few months has gone a bit wobbly in his back end. He doesn't appear to be in great pain but he is not happy. We have made the decision to pts, next Weds, so that my daughter can come home from uni to say goodbye.
My Golden Retriever is getting a bit doddery. She has arthritis and an under active thyroid (being treated) but she is happy, eating and playing with her toys. She likes to pinch underwear and socks and greets visitors with a huge mouthful of laundry!
Anyway, getting to the point, do you think it would be a good idea to introduce a puppy after my terrier has gone? GR has never been totally alone and I wondered if a puppy might give her a new lease of life. She is well socialised but doesnt get out much now due to the arthritis. Anyone have experience of this situation and how did it work out?
Also, would I be potentially setting a puppy up for separation anxiety, if it got used to having my GR around and then GR's health deteriorated and she had to be pts.
We do also intend getting a kitten (litter due April) as our 20yr old cat passed away in Nov and OH cant live without a cat!
My head is spinning atm, not sure what to do for the best :(
Thanks for reading x
 
I have 6 dogs. The oldest is 10 years old, then the next is 7 years old, then I have two who are 6 years old and then another two who are almost 2 years old so I'm never in that situation as there are always other dogs here when one dies. We also have 3 cats, one is 13 years old, the next is 10 years old and we have a kitten who's only a couple of months old. My dogs all love the kitties. If I were in your situation then yes I would have a puppy with the GR. It will give the GR some company after your little terrier is gone. When it's time for the GR to leave this world you can re-evaluate how you think the new dog will be without her.

I'm sorry about your little terrier. That's always the hardest thing about having dogs, their time is always up much quicker than we would wish.
 
Sorry to hear about your terrier. We got a 9 month old pup when our lab x was around 15 years old, and 5 year old dog about 18 months before that. The new dogs gave him a new lease of life twice! So I would say, go for it.
 
I am very sorry to hear about your terrier.

We've had new puppies with older dogs and it's always worked out well. The older dog has usually been re-invigorated by the pup you just have to keep an eye out and make sure the puppy doesn't drive the older dog bonkers. From what you day about the Goldie she won't be able to come on all the walks and socialisation for the puppy so the puppy will learn from early on to also do things on her own which is a good thing overall. If and when the Goldie passes on you can always consider another puppy or dog to keep the new puppy company - that's what we have done in the past.
 
as long as your GR is a sociable type and enjoys company then go for it'

my dogs are 7, 13 and 15, although the 15yr old would have been quite happy if the 7yr old had never arrived on the scene but that is down to temperament, he is a wimpy scardy cat and she is a full on nut case and she is 3 times his weight-strict supervision when they are together is now needed as he is obsessed with food (an age thing for him) as is she (always has been) so she will pick on him if food is about and they are not supervised
 
Thank you all xx You have all had such positive experiences, I think we will go for it!
This last week with my terrier is just awful. :(
 
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