Thankfulness

     The Thanksgiving Holiday has come and gone, but with its passing, the Christmas Holiday Season is upon us. Thankfulness isn't meant to be honored on only one day in November every year.   Let us not forget to remain thankful throughout the season, and every single day as well. 

 

Here is a photo of a well-fed, well-spoiled, and assuredly thankful dog!

When is the Right Time?

     When is the right time to replace an old dog that has passed away with a new one?  I was pondering this question when one of my neighbors had to say goodbye to her 13 year old Boston terrier.  It was a sad time.  It's been a whole year since I said goodbye to my 12 year old Labrador.  I told my neighbor that she may not want to hear it, but from my experience, having a new puppy come in to my home a mere two weeks after my dog passed truly helped me heal.  She waited two weeks and now has had a new tiny Boston terrier for 2 days. It's nice to see her smiling again.
     Sometimes if I dwell on a thought long enough, I might take a poll on social media.  In this instance, I posed my question on Facebook.  And this is what happened...

 IF you have had a dog that was an important part of the family, and it died ...how long did you wait to get another dog? What do you feel is an appropriate amount of time to wait? There is no right or wrong answer.

Top of Form

Comments

MFS The sooner the better

October 10 at 1:18pm

ME: I don't think I could have gotten another dog after Abby died last year. I would have kept coming up with excuses not to. Thankfully, Steve brought me Lewis. It was only 2 weeks after she died, but I wouldn't trade my Lewis for anything in the world.

 October 10 at 1:22pm

NBD: You can not replace the old dog but you can love a new one at any time.

October 10 at 1:25pm

JC: Immediately

October 10 at 1:30pm

BH: We have almost always had at least two dogs, it makes it a little easier but it can be hard on the surviving dog. Then you have to get another one to help that one!😊
October 10 at 1:46pm

RA: We knew that Sebastian was getting old, so we got another dog before he passed away. He helped train her to be a better dog. When he passed away, she comforted us and we comforted her. I think it helped us heal to be able to pet and love on her. Hope all that makes sense.

October 10 at 2:50pm

AH: I've never had a dog die on me yet, but I had to give one up. It was difficult, but I know I wanted another dog immediately, not to replace, but I love most dogs, so I wanted another one. I think I will feel similarly, when the time comes.

October 10 at 4:41pm

LKC: I think it depends on the person. I think you know when the time is right for you. Mamba has been gone three years and, while we still have Tessie, I couldn't bear the thought of getting another dog. I'm sure I'll feel the same when Tessie is gone. Not saying I would never have another one, but just not ready.

October 10 at 6:33pm

HSST: Everyone is different But as long as I am alive and able to care for them i will always have a critter of some sort. Death is a part of life and its hard ...very hard when you loose a pet. But my heart is big enough to give another animal a home. Even if I have one to die I can still turn around and get another to love and give a good home too.

October 10 at 6:58pm

CC: Sooner the better! I can't replace my old love but I can love another and the void wouldn't be as big! I would go crazy without a dog in my home!

CM: ASAP

October 10 at 11:29pm

ME; Thank you for your responses

     This is a real question I asked (you see at the top) and these are real responses.  I was actually surprised by how many said to get a new pup right away!  Of course, every person is different.  Every dog is different.  

(This was written by my daughter, Karen.)

Zundel Attacks Christopher

     The neighbor's dog was a grey poodle.  She named him Christopher.
     This was while we were living in our first owned house.  It was a one level living area with a basement.  When opening the garage door that led to the basement, I sometimes took the baby out with me and sat at the entrance.  We had one child, who was in a playpen in the garage with me, and our dog Zundel would run free in the yard but always chose to remain somewhat close by.
     I heard the door to the house next door open and shut.  I knew the neighbor was letting Christopher out to do his business.  She never watched him.  She would let him out and then about an hour later, she would holler for him to come on back inside. Zundel ordinarily ignored Christopher whenever Christopher wandered over into our yard. 
     But this time something was different.  I had the playpen with the baby in it out here with me. It amused me to some extent when I saw a fight about to happen.  Christopher came near the playpen.  Zundel attacked him.  Christopher was able to get loose after a bit of a struggle.  I watched Christopher run back over to his house and scratch at the back door.  The neighbor let him inside. 
     I was amazed. Zundel had protected my child.  She had considered Christopher as a danger and protected her master!

Look Alikes

     Do dogs really look like their owners?  Does it really have anything to do with what breed you pick?  Or does the dog, after accepted in the new home, simply pick up on the owner's behavior that makes him resemble the owner?  You be the judge.

The Neighbor's Dog

     There is a man and a woman living in the house across the street from me.  The house is a rental house.  Over the years, I have seen many different people living there.  The man living there right now told my son that the owner of the property did not allow pets.  I have heard this before.  I have also seen pets there anyway from time to time.  I mind my own business.  It has not been a surprise to me to see the man and woman come home with a puppy one day. It is a grey pit bull.  I wonder if they got a dog in hopes of protection.
     I sit here on my porch writing. I observe the treatment of the puppy.   Pit Bulls do have a reputation for being mean.  I see them carry the puppy outside and slap him.  Then they hold him by his neck.  Do they want him to learn to hate people?  Why would they want him to hate them?  Will he ever be able to be around children?
     The puppy is going to get bigger.  The man and the woman will eventually stop bringing the puppy inside and most likely chain him up outside.  It seems to be what they all end up doing. There is no fence on the property. Unfortunately, if they continue to mistreat him, putting him on a chain will be safer for the rest of us.  God help us if they let him roam freely.
     I don't have a dog myself.  If I did, I would treat it with kindness.  I don't like to see animals abused.  I don't think God meant for us to mistreat them.  I think they were meant to be our companions.  I think we should show them love and respect.  That is how you earn their love and respect.  And that makes them want to protect you.

Dog Days of Summer

     The dog days, I always thought, were those summer days so devastatingly hot that even dogs would lie around on the asphalt panting.  Many people today use the phrase to mean something like that- but originally, the phrase actually had nothing to do with dogs.  It had nothing to do with the lazy days of summer.  Instead, it turns out, the dog days refer to the dog star, Sirius, and its position in the heavens. To the Greeks and Romans, the dog days occurred around the day when Sirius appeared to rise just before the sun, in late July.  They referred to these days as the hottest time of the year.  It was a period that could bring fever, or even catastrophes.  Who knew?

Buddy

     Buddy was hit by a car about four weeks ago.  He died instantly.  He was loved by four families along this strip of road.  We all cried and mourned him.  He was a good dog.  He was a handsome dog.  He was only two years old.  He will be missed.

(This was written by my daughter, Karen.)