OT: Dog (replacement?) question....

"Spammers_Should_Be_Shot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one
paralyzed
rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for a
few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss
(and
they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the first
thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.)
and
that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him, he
follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there,
she
even likes to "talk" to him.

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the
month
and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog would
be
a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly the
kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences with
a
dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I'd also be interested in hearing breed suggestions. Here's our
requirements:
Good with kids
Not a "yippy" (barker) dog
Low to moderate exercise requirements
Not a chewer (the lab never chewed things, but he would constantly
"retrieve" things - always makes finding 2 matching shoes a hunt).
Not a long haired breed
Definitely not a drooler!
We don't hunt so no need for a "working" dog, we're looking for purely
another family member
BTW, We have a cat (damn anti-social attack animal) and I don't want a dog
that is <10lbs. so no Chihuahuas

Here's what I'd like: Dobie, Great Dane, Boxer, Bulldog, Rott
My kids are partial to: Pug, Cocker Spaniel, Weiner dog!
My wife says she's not fond of the few Dobies & Rotts she's known.....

Growing up I had a Dalmatian and a couple of spaniels (Brittany) so
probably
the most obvious choice would be some sort of spaniel?

Thanks for any/all input (well, maybe not the trolling but even that has
it's place....)

Grief is very real when losing a pet - not much different from losing a
child although the period of grieving is far less. A new replacement puppy
as soon as possible following the loss of your lab is the best antidote.
Why not another lab?

"David" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Spammers_Should_Be_Shot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one
paralyzed
rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for
a
few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss
(and
they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the
first
thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.)
and
that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him,
he
follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there,
she
even likes to "talk" to him.

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the
month
and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog would
be
a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly the
kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences with
a
dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I'd also be interested in hearing breed suggestions. Here's our
requirements:
Good with kids
Not a "yippy" (barker) dog
Low to moderate exercise requirements
Not a chewer (the lab never chewed things, but he would constantly
"retrieve" things - always makes finding 2 matching shoes a hunt).
Not a long haired breed
Definitely not a drooler!
We don't hunt so no need for a "working" dog, we're looking for purely
another family member
BTW, We have a cat (damn anti-social attack animal) and I don't want a
dog
that is <10lbs. so no Chihuahuas

Here's what I'd like: Dobie, Great Dane, Boxer, Bulldog, Rott
My kids are partial to: Pug, Cocker Spaniel, Weiner dog!
My wife says she's not fond of the few Dobies & Rotts she's known.....

Growing up I had a Dalmatian and a couple of spaniels (Brittany) so
probably
the most obvious choice would be some sort of spaniel?

Thanks for any/all input (well, maybe not the trolling but even that has
it's place....)

Grief is very real when losing a pet - not much different from losing a
child although the period of grieving is far less. A new replacement puppy
as soon as possible following the loss of your lab is the best antidote.
Why not another lab?

I agree, the grief is very real, and your dog (mate) will always be
remembered by its name - not that it was just a dog. A new dog will not
'replace' the old one, but a new puppy will absorb the grief with its
exuberance and the love for the little fella will make the whole family
happy again. Take the kids to buy a new one. Buy it for the family - not for
a birthday.

regards
john

Spammers_Should_Be_Shot said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one paralyzed
rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for a
few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss (and
they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the first
thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.) and
that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him, he
follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there, she
even likes to "talk" to him.

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the month
and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog would be
a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly the
kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences with a
dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I've always felt that good dogs and cats return to you via
reincarnation, and getting one sooner rather than later can be good or
bad. In time, one will suddenly "appear" in your life, then accept it,
and take him/her in. Don't hurry it.

Quoted message said:

I'd also be interested in hearing breed suggestions. Here's our
requirements:
Good with kids
Not a "yippy" (barker) dog
Low to moderate exercise requirements
Not a chewer (the lab never chewed things, but he would constantly
"retrieve" things - always makes finding 2 matching shoes a hunt).
Not a long haired breed
Definitely not a drooler!
We don't hunt so no need for a "working" dog, we're looking for purely
another family member
BTW, We have a cat (damn anti-social attack animal) and I don't want a dog
that is <10lbs. so no Chihuahuas

When it comes to a dog defending itself against cats, the cats are
sometimes scared [censored] of the smaller dogs than the bigger ones, so
don't let that be a deciding factior.

Spammers_Should_Be_Shot said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one paralyzed
rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for a
few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss (and
they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the first
thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.) and
that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him, he
follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there, she
even likes to "talk" to him.

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the month
and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog would be
a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly the
kids) or just remind them of the loss?

I think getting another dog before she suggests it is going to:

a) land you in serious [censored] for not respecting her grief
b) cause problems for her accepting the new dog
c) land you in serious [censored] for with her for treating a dog like an
object when she obviously sees your old dog as a member of the family

When she's ready, she'll suggest another dog. I know you want to help
minimise her hurt, but in these situations the best thing is probably
just to be there and comfort her (do not say anything like 'it's not so
bad' or 'you'll feel better soon'...that would be....ummm...bad).

Cheers,

Ari

--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply

I'm going to die rather sooner than I'd like. I tried to protect my
neighbours from crime, and became the victim of it. Complications in
hospital following this resulted in a serious illness. I now need a bone
marrow transplant. Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow
transplant, too. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

"John" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"David" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Spammers_Should_Be_Shot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one
paralyzed
rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for
a
few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss
(and
they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the
first
thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.)
and
that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him,
he
follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there,
she
even likes to "talk" to him.

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the
month
and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog
would be
a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly
the
kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences
with a
dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I'd also be interested in hearing breed suggestions. Here's our
requirements:
Good with kids
Not a "yippy" (barker) dog
Low to moderate exercise requirements
Not a chewer (the lab never chewed things, but he would constantly
"retrieve" things - always makes finding 2 matching shoes a hunt).
Not a long haired breed
Definitely not a drooler!
We don't hunt so no need for a "working" dog, we're looking for purely
another family member
BTW, We have a cat (damn anti-social attack animal) and I don't want a
dog
that is <10lbs. so no Chihuahuas

Here's what I'd like: Dobie, Great Dane, Boxer, Bulldog, Rott
My kids are partial to: Pug, Cocker Spaniel, Weiner dog!
My wife says she's not fond of the few Dobies & Rotts she's known.....

Growing up I had a Dalmatian and a couple of spaniels (Brittany) so
probably
the most obvious choice would be some sort of spaniel?

Thanks for any/all input (well, maybe not the trolling but even that has
it's place....)

Grief is very real when losing a pet - not much different from losing a
child although the period of grieving is far less. A new replacement
puppy as soon as possible following the loss of your lab is the best
antidote. Why not another lab?

I agree, the grief is very real, and your dog (mate) will always be
remembered by its name - not that it was just a dog. A new dog will not
'replace' the old one, but a new puppy will absorb the grief with its
exuberance and the love for the little fella will make the whole family
happy again. Take the kids to buy a new one. Buy it for the family - not
for a birthday.

regards
john

Geez, why couldn't I have said is that well?

On Thu, 12 Jan 2006 09:55:47 GMT, "Spammers_Should_Be_Shot"
<[email hidden]> wrote in misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one paralyzed
rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for a
few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss (and
they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the first
thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.) and
that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him, he
follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there, she
even likes to "talk" to him.

My wife is the same way with Buddy even though when I brought him home
she said, "it's either him or me" in which I replied, "cya". She had
never had a dog before either. So, I had my youngest go buy a kennel
and that night I put him in it before I went to bed. I woke up early
the next morning and Buddy wasn't in his kennel nor was he in my son's
room. I finally noticed him laying next to my wife on the couch when
she began to chastise me for leaving him in a kennel in the laundry
room. She sat up with him all night:-)

Quoted message said:

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the month
and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog would be
a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly the
kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences with a
dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I plan on getting another Lab this Spring to ease the future passing
of Buddy and for him to have his own buddy (and for me to have a
second hunting dog which will hopefully make them both better
hunters). Buddy will be three in April and it's probably a bit soon
to be getting a replacement seeing as how it's possible for Buddy to
outlive a dog that was just born about now.

Anywho, get another Lab and do it right away. I grew up with dogs and
that's always what my parents did and still do. Every other dog owner
I know does the same thing. It makes the passing a little more
bearable. Also, get a puppy because it will be so much work that you
will have little time to feel the pain of your Lab's passing. The pup
will also do things that will remind you of you Lab in pleasant ways.

Quoted message said:

I'd also be interested in hearing breed suggestions. Here's our
requirements:
Good with kids
Not a "yippy" (barker) dog
Low to moderate exercise requirements
Not a chewer (the lab never chewed things, but he would constantly
"retrieve" things - always makes finding 2 matching shoes a hunt).

Buddy always fetches our shoes for us. At least when we are going
somewhere and by we, I mean him too. He knows he's going (we tell him
to get our shoes so that we can go bye bye) so he will be in an
incredible state of excitement while doing so. It's funnier than
hell.

Quoted message said:

Not a long haired breed
Definitely not a drooler!
We don't hunt so no need for a "working" dog, we're looking for purely
another family member
BTW, We have a cat (damn anti-social attack animal) and I don't want a dog
that is <10lbs. so no Chihuahuas

Here's what I'd like: Dobie, Great Dane, Boxer, Bulldog, Rott
My kids are partial to: Pug, Cocker Spaniel, Weiner dog!
My wife says she's not fond of the few Dobies & Rotts she's known.....

Growing up I had a Dalmatian and a couple of spaniels (Brittany) so probably
the most obvious choice would be some sort of spaniel?

Thanks for any/all input (well, maybe not the trolling but even that has
it's place....)

A Labrador Retreiver.

"John Hanson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 12 Jan 2006 09:55:47 GMT, "Spammers_Should_Be_Shot"
<[email hidden]> wrote in misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one
paralyzed
rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for a
few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss
(and
they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the first
thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.)
and
that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him, he
follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there,
she
even likes to "talk" to him.

My wife is the same way with Buddy even though when I brought him home
she said, "it's either him or me" in which I replied, "cya". She had
never had a dog before either. So, I had my youngest go buy a kennel
and that night I put him in it before I went to bed. I woke up early
the next morning and Buddy wasn't in his kennel nor was he in my son's
room. I finally noticed him laying next to my wife on the couch when
she began to chastise me for leaving him in a kennel in the laundry
room. She sat up with him all night:-)

Quoted message said:

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the
month
and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog would
be
a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly the
kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences with
a
dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I plan on getting another Lab this Spring to ease the future passing
of Buddy and for him to have his own buddy (and for me to have a
second hunting dog which will hopefully make them both better
hunters). Buddy will be three in April and it's probably a bit soon
to be getting a replacement seeing as how it's possible for Buddy to
outlive a dog that was just born about now.

Anywho, get another Lab and do it right away. I grew up with dogs and
that's always what my parents did and still do. Every other dog owner
I know does the same thing. It makes the passing a little more
bearable. Also, get a puppy because it will be so much work that you
will have little time to feel the pain of your Lab's passing. The pup
will also do things that will remind you of you Lab in pleasant ways.

Quoted message said:

I'd also be interested in hearing breed suggestions. Here's our
requirements:
Good with kids
Not a "yippy" (barker) dog
Low to moderate exercise requirements
Not a chewer (the lab never chewed things, but he would constantly
"retrieve" things - always makes finding 2 matching shoes a hunt).

Buddy always fetches our shoes for us. At least when we are going
somewhere and by we, I mean him too. He knows he's going (we tell him
to get our shoes so that we can go bye bye) so he will be in an
incredible state of excitement while doing so. It's funnier than
hell.

Quoted message said:

Not a long haired breed
Definitely not a drooler!
We don't hunt so no need for a "working" dog, we're looking for purely
another family member
BTW, We have a cat (damn anti-social attack animal) and I don't want a dog
that is <10lbs. so no Chihuahuas

Here's what I'd like: Dobie, Great Dane, Boxer, Bulldog, Rott
My kids are partial to: Pug, Cocker Spaniel, Weiner dog!
My wife says she's not fond of the few Dobies & Rotts she's known.....

Growing up I had a Dalmatian and a couple of spaniels (Brittany) so
probably
the most obvious choice would be some sort of spaniel?

Thanks for any/all input (well, maybe not the trolling but even that has
it's place....)

A Labrador Retreiver.

Good advice

I would discuss it with her.. best way to know..

Puppy funnies often ease the sadness but sneaking up on her after she said
no is kinda.. I don't know.. rude...

Get a rottweiler and take time to train it well.. Rotties can be awesome
with kids and they are so goofy it's a party to see them grow up..

--
Will~

"... so that's how liberty ends, in a round of applause."

Queen Amidala, The revenge of the Syth.

"Spammers_Should_Be_Shot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one

paralyzed

Quoted message said:

rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for a
few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss

(and

Quoted message said:

they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the first
thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.)

and

Quoted message said:

that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him, he
follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there,

she

Quoted message said:

even likes to "talk" to him.

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the

month

Quoted message said:

and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog would

be

Quoted message said:

a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly the
kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences with

a

Quoted message said:

dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I'd also be interested in hearing breed suggestions. Here's our
requirements:
Good with kids
Not a "yippy" (barker) dog
Low to moderate exercise requirements
Not a chewer (the lab never chewed things, but he would constantly
"retrieve" things - always makes finding 2 matching shoes a hunt).
Not a long haired breed
Definitely not a drooler!
We don't hunt so no need for a "working" dog, we're looking for purely
another family member
BTW, We have a cat (damn anti-social attack animal) and I don't want a dog
that is <10lbs. so no Chihuahuas

Here's what I'd like: Dobie, Great Dane, Boxer, Bulldog, Rott
My kids are partial to: Pug, Cocker Spaniel, Weiner dog!
My wife says she's not fond of the few Dobies & Rotts she's known.....

Growing up I had a Dalmatian and a couple of spaniels (Brittany) so

probably

Quoted message said:

the most obvious choice would be some sort of spaniel?

Thanks for any/all input (well, maybe not the trolling but even that has
it's place....)

Spammers_Should_Be_Shot said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one paralyzed
rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for a
few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss (and
they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the first
thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.) and
that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him, he
follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there, she
even likes to "talk" to him.

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the month
and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog would be
a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly the
kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences with a
dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I don't have any advice for you (other than to adopt a shelter dog if
you can, because if anyone needs a good home it's those guys), but I'm
sorry your dog is ill. Losing a pet is rough.

Spammers_Should_Be_Shot said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one paralyzed
rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for a
few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss (and
they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the first
thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.) and
that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him, he
follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there, she
even likes to "talk" to him.

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the month
and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog would be
a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly the
kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences with a
dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I'd also be interested in hearing breed suggestions. Here's our
requirements:
Good with kids
Not a "yippy" (barker) dog
Low to moderate exercise requirements
Not a chewer (the lab never chewed things, but he would constantly
"retrieve" things - always makes finding 2 matching shoes a hunt).
Not a long haired breed
Definitely not a drooler!
We don't hunt so no need for a "working" dog, we're looking for purely
another family member
BTW, We have a cat (damn anti-social attack animal) and I don't want a dog
that is <10lbs. so no Chihuahuas

Here's what I'd like: Dobie, Great Dane, Boxer, Bulldog, Rott
My kids are partial to: Pug, Cocker Spaniel, Weiner dog!
My wife says she's not fond of the few Dobies & Rotts she's known.....

Growing up I had a Dalmatian and a couple of spaniels (Brittany) so probably
the most obvious choice would be some sort of spaniel?

Thanks for any/all input (well, maybe not the trolling but even that has
it's place....)

How about showing her the web page of available dogs at your local
animal shelter? You can probably find it here:

http://www.petfinder.com/

You can take your wife and kids to the animal shelter and let them look
at and observe the behavior of a number of different breeds and
mixed-breeds, as well as the personality of individual dogs. And
you'll be giving a home to a dog that really *needs* one.

Just a few weeks ago, I posted about the same experience you're having:

http://groups.google.com/group/misc.fitness.weights/msg/1f049c9afd582e69?hl=en&

Showing my wife the local shelter's page on petfinder.com started her
thinking, and within a few hours, she wanted to go to the shelter and
look at the dogs.

I always use Rolf Harris

Willow said:

Get a rottweiler

Idiot.

LOL

--
Will~

"... so that's how liberty ends, in a round of applause."

Queen Amidala, The revenge of the Syth.

"TBR" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Willow said:

Get a rottweiler

Idiot.

"Spammers_Should_Be_Shot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one
paralyzed
rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for a
few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss
(and
they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the first
thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.)
and
that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him, he
follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there,
she
even likes to "talk" to him.

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the
month
and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog would
be
a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly the
kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences with
a
dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I'd also be interested in hearing breed suggestions. Here's our
requirements:
Good with kids
Not a "yippy" (barker) dog
Low to moderate exercise requirements
Not a chewer (the lab never chewed things, but he would constantly
"retrieve" things - always makes finding 2 matching shoes a hunt).
Not a long haired breed
Definitely not a drooler!
We don't hunt so no need for a "working" dog, we're looking for purely
another family member
BTW, We have a cat (damn anti-social attack animal) and I don't want a dog
that is <10lbs. so no Chihuahuas

Here's what I'd like: Dobie, Great Dane, Boxer, Bulldog, Rott
My kids are partial to: Pug, Cocker Spaniel, Weiner dog!
My wife says she's not fond of the few Dobies & Rotts she's known.....

Growing up I had a Dalmatian and a couple of spaniels (Brittany) so
probably
the most obvious choice would be some sort of spaniel?

Thanks for any/all input (well, maybe not the trolling but even that has
it's place....)

English Mastiff. Great dogs.

Fraser

"David" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Spammers_Should_Be_Shot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one
paralyzed
rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss
(and
they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the

first

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.)
and
that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him,

he

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there,
she
even likes to "talk" to him.

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the
month
and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog

would

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be
a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences

with

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

a
dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I'd also be interested in hearing breed suggestions. Here's our
requirements:
Good with kids
Not a "yippy" (barker) dog
Low to moderate exercise requirements
Not a chewer (the lab never chewed things, but he would constantly
"retrieve" things - always makes finding 2 matching shoes a hunt).
Not a long haired breed
Definitely not a drooler!
We don't hunt so no need for a "working" dog, we're looking for purely
another family member
BTW, We have a cat (damn anti-social attack animal) and I don't want a

dog

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that is <10lbs. so no Chihuahuas

Here's what I'd like: Dobie, Great Dane, Boxer, Bulldog, Rott
My kids are partial to: Pug, Cocker Spaniel, Weiner dog!
My wife says she's not fond of the few Dobies & Rotts she's known.....

Growing up I had a Dalmatian and a couple of spaniels (Brittany) so
probably
the most obvious choice would be some sort of spaniel?

Thanks for any/all input (well, maybe not the trolling but even that has
it's place....)

Grief is very real when losing a pet - not much different from losing a
child although the period of grieving is far less. A new replacement puppy
as soon as possible following the loss of your lab is the best antidote.
Why not another lab?

Why not? Well, to be honest, since first getting this lab I always thought
it'd be the only one I'd ever own. He's been the BEST dog anyone could
want/hope for. Since he's a black lab my wife did mention once the
possibility of someday getting a chocolate, so maybe I'll have to think
about it.

"Fraser Johnston" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Spammers_Should_Be_Shot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one
paralyzed
rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss
(and
they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the

first

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.)
and
that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him,

he

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there,
she
even likes to "talk" to him.

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the
month
and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog

would

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be
a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences

with

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

a
dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I'd also be interested in hearing breed suggestions. Here's our
requirements:
Good with kids
Not a "yippy" (barker) dog
Low to moderate exercise requirements
Not a chewer (the lab never chewed things, but he would constantly
"retrieve" things - always makes finding 2 matching shoes a hunt).
Not a long haired breed
Definitely not a drooler!
We don't hunt so no need for a "working" dog, we're looking for purely
another family member
BTW, We have a cat (damn anti-social attack animal) and I don't want a

dog

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that is <10lbs. so no Chihuahuas

Here's what I'd like: Dobie, Great Dane, Boxer, Bulldog, Rott
My kids are partial to: Pug, Cocker Spaniel, Weiner dog!
My wife says she's not fond of the few Dobies & Rotts she's known.....

Growing up I had a Dalmatian and a couple of spaniels (Brittany) so
probably
the most obvious choice would be some sort of spaniel?

Thanks for any/all input (well, maybe not the trolling but even that has
it's place....)

English Mastiff. Great dogs.

Fraser

I did a little online "research" last night and I've come to the conclusion
that I'd love to get a Mastiff. However, at 90lbs. we've always thought our
lab was a little bigger than ideal (and an 180lb. Mastiff would be WAY big).
I don't suppose there's a way to get a miniature Mastiff? Something in the
50-60lb. range? Maybe a Lab/Mastiff mix? I wonder what that'd be like.....

"John Hanson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 12 Jan 2006 09:55:47 GMT, "Spammers_Should_Be_Shot"
<[email hidden]> wrote in misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one

paralyzed

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss

(and

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the

first

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.)

and

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him,

he

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there,

she

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

even likes to "talk" to him.

My wife is the same way with Buddy even though when I brought him home
she said, "it's either him or me" in which I replied, "cya". She had
never had a dog before either. So, I had my youngest go buy a kennel
and that night I put him in it before I went to bed. I woke up early
the next morning and Buddy wasn't in his kennel nor was he in my son's
room. I finally noticed him laying next to my wife on the couch when
she began to chastise me for leaving him in a kennel in the laundry
room. She sat up with him all night:-)

Great story, here's ours: (I didn't mention all this before but maybe I
should have for those people who aren't "dog people"😉
On a Friday afternoon some friends of ours were at their vets and he asked
them if they'd like to adopt another dog. See, there was this great, fully
trained, 2y.o. lab scheduled to be put down at the end of the day if nobody
adopted him. Our friends being animal lovers couldn't let that happen so
they "temp-adopted" him until they could find him a permenant home (they had
3 dogs and 5 cats and didn't want another). They took him home Friday and
then called us Saturday morning to see if we were interested (they knew I'm
a dog lover). I immediately said yes (my wife didn't agree but since our
friends offered to take him back if it didn't work out she agreed to give it
a shot). In the afternoon I drove the 3 hours round trip to pick him up and
bring him home. He sayed with us for 5 hours before my wife said that I'd
have to take him back. She was not happen with the "disruption" and "noise"
he made. Walking up the stairs was an exercise in not being knocked over
she said. So, being the good husband (though not happy about it) I made the
3 hour trip to return him to our friends. I finally arrived back home at
11:00pm to find my wife in bed sobbing. When I asked her what was wrong she
said that the house was too damn quiet! The Big Guy was just looking for a
good home and she wanted it to be with us. Obviously, I was excited that
I'd get to keep him (but NOT happy about a third 3 hour trip in the same
day!). So, after calling our friends to tell them the news I went to bed
and got up early to make the trip. He's been with us ever since.

With the way the relationship started you'd think that he'd be "my" dog,
especially when you consider that I worked at home and at the time my wife
wasn't home from 8am to 6pm. Nope, they've bonded more than my wife or I
ever thought they would.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the

month

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog would

be

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly the
kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences with

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I plan on getting another Lab this Spring to ease the future passing
of Buddy and for him to have his own buddy (and for me to have a
second hunting dog which will hopefully make them both better
hunters). Buddy will be three in April and it's probably a bit soon
to be getting a replacement seeing as how it's possible for Buddy to
outlive a dog that was just born about now.

Anywho, get another Lab and do it right away. I grew up with dogs and
that's always what my parents did and still do. Every other dog owner
I know does the same thing. It makes the passing a little more
bearable. Also, get a puppy because it will be so much work that you
will have little time to feel the pain of your Lab's passing. The pup
will also do things that will remind you of you Lab in pleasant ways.

Quoted message said:

I'd also be interested in hearing breed suggestions. Here's our
requirements:
Good with kids
Not a "yippy" (barker) dog
Low to moderate exercise requirements
Not a chewer (the lab never chewed things, but he would constantly
"retrieve" things - always makes finding 2 matching shoes a hunt).

Buddy always fetches our shoes for us. At least when we are going
somewhere and by we, I mean him too. He knows he's going (we tell him
to get our shoes so that we can go bye bye) so he will be in an
incredible state of excitement while doing so. It's funnier than
hell.

Quoted message said:

Not a long haired breed
Definitely not a drooler!
We don't hunt so no need for a "working" dog, we're looking for purely
another family member
BTW, We have a cat (damn anti-social attack animal) and I don't want a

dog

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that is <10lbs. so no Chihuahuas

Here's what I'd like: Dobie, Great Dane, Boxer, Bulldog, Rott
My kids are partial to: Pug, Cocker Spaniel, Weiner dog!
My wife says she's not fond of the few Dobies & Rotts she's known.....

Growing up I had a Dalmatian and a couple of spaniels (Brittany) so

probably

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the most obvious choice would be some sort of spaniel?

Thanks for any/all input (well, maybe not the trolling but even that has
it's place....)

A Labrador Retreiver.

I'm leaning towards a less active breed if possible since we now don't have
the time we once did for walks and play (the kids take up a lot of our
time).

"TBR" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Spammers_Should_Be_Shot said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one

paralyzed

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming for

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss

(and

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a dog
before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the

first

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.)

and

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him,

he

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right there,

she

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

even likes to "talk" to him.

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the

month

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog would

be

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly the
kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences with

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I've always felt that good dogs and cats return to you via
reincarnation, and getting one sooner rather than later can be good or
bad. In time, one will suddenly "appear" in your life, then accept it,
and take him/her in. Don't hurry it.

Quoted message said:

I'd also be interested in hearing breed suggestions. Here's our
requirements:
Good with kids
Not a "yippy" (barker) dog
Low to moderate exercise requirements
Not a chewer (the lab never chewed things, but he would constantly
"retrieve" things - always makes finding 2 matching shoes a hunt).
Not a long haired breed
Definitely not a drooler!
We don't hunt so no need for a "working" dog, we're looking for purely
another family member
BTW, We have a cat (damn anti-social attack animal) and I don't want a

dog

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that is <10lbs. so no Chihuahuas

When it comes to a dog defending itself against cats, the cats are
sometimes scared [censored] of the smaller dogs than the bigger ones, so
don't let that be a deciding factior.

LOL, I'm not worried about the cat attacking the dog, the damn cat is so old
his time's gotta be about up (doesn't it? please? pretty please? lol)
The reason I mentioned the cat is that I don't want a tiny dog (the cat is
~9lbs. and I'd wouldn't want a dog that is that small).

"John" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"David" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Spammers_Should_Be_Shot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone got any advice on what I should do:

My Lab probably won't be around more than another week or two (one
paralyzed
rear leg and other leg is fading fast). We've known this was coming

for

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

a
few months now and have done what we can to prep the kids for the loss
(and
they seem to be accepting his going to "doggie heaven" fairly well).
However my wife is really having a problem with it. She never had a

dog

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

before this one (I had dogs growing up and once we got our house the
first
thing I did was get a dog). We adopted him (he was ~2y.o. and ~60lbs.)
and
that was 11 years and 30lbs. ago. My wife has really bonded with him,
he
follows her around the house all day, if she sits down he's right

there,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

she
even likes to "talk" to him.

Anyway, the loss of him has and will be very traumatic for her. We've
briefly discussed getting another dog but she says that "no dog could
replace the Big Guy". She has a birthday coming up at the end of the
month
and I'm wondering if I should get her a new dog or not (the new dog

would

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be
a different breed). Would a "replacement" dog help her (and possibly

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

kids) or just remind them of the loss? I'd love to hear experiences

with

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

a
dog loss (with or without a "replacement"😉.

I'd also be interested in hearing breed suggestions. Here's our
requirements:
Good with kids
Not a "yippy" (barker) dog
Low to moderate exercise requirements
Not a chewer (the lab never chewed things, but he would constantly
"retrieve" things - always makes finding 2 matching shoes a hunt).
Not a long haired breed
Definitely not a drooler!
We don't hunt so no need for a "working" dog, we're looking for purely
another family member
BTW, We have a cat (damn anti-social attack animal) and I don't want a
dog
that is <10lbs. so no Chihuahuas

Here's what I'd like: Dobie, Great Dane, Boxer, Bulldog, Rott
My kids are partial to: Pug, Cocker Spaniel, Weiner dog!
My wife says she's not fond of the few Dobies & Rotts she's known.....

Growing up I had a Dalmatian and a couple of spaniels (Brittany) so
probably
the most obvious choice would be some sort of spaniel?

Thanks for any/all input (well, maybe not the trolling but even that

has

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

it's place....)

Grief is very real when losing a pet - not much different from losing a
child although the period of grieving is far less. A new replacement

puppy

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

as soon as possible following the loss of your lab is the best antidote.
Why not another lab?

I agree, the grief is very real, and your dog (mate) will always be
remembered by its name - not that it was just a dog. A new dog will not
'replace' the old one, but a new puppy will absorb the grief with its
exuberance and the love for the little fella will make the whole family
happy again. Take the kids to buy a new one. Buy it for the family - not

for

Quoted message said:

a birthday.

regards
john

I agree it's prolly not appropriate as a b-day gift. My daughters love to
go to the pet store to see/pet all the dogs and cats there. However, if we
let them pick it out we'd probably end up with a yippy dog that I'll step
on.

BTW, what's the consensus on crates? When we got the lab he was already
fully trained and we never considered a crate (and we didn't have kids back
then). Now I'm thinking crating the kids and let the dog run the house?