Cita
Posted : 1/8/2008 9:55:56 AM
If you want to take in another dog, do it! April would be glad to see it.
I'm not sure how to say this tactfully, but I mean it with kindness and concern so please bear with me, but are you sure at your mature years that you want a puppy instead of an adult dog? Are you up to dealing with an unhousebroken, untrained, energetic black hole of energy and time? Also, particularly if you are considering a small breed puppy, many of them often live 20 years or so quite easily - do you know what would happen to your dog if you became unable to care for it? Do you have a "chain of succession" set up?
I'm asking primarily because I "inherited" Rascal because his first owner passed away and I wanted to make sure he would get the best possible care. I was (and still really am not, quite honestly) in a good place to have a dog - I was in college, I was moving around like crazy, I had no money, I had a BF who didn't really like animals... it worked out fine for both of us in the end, but it was some real rough going for a while, and I know many dogs whose owners pass on do not have it so easy. I think everyone who has an animal should set up a clear plan for what would happen if something happened to necessitate a new owner/caregiver. I'm only 23 and I have a "line of succession" set up!
I hope you do go ahead and get another dog, and I hope when you do you come back and share pictures with us :) April was a dear and of course could never be replaced, but you can honor her memory by opening your heart and home to another creature.