I actually went to Safe Haven to interview some dogs a while back. Ultimately, at 71, I went to a Wiggly Tails adoption event to get a 25-lb brown 5 year old mature housetrained velcro dog and came home with an 8 week old Dane border mix. The first dog had ten people signed up to see him and went with the first family. Mika, as she got named, is all those things: she is giant, gained 30 lbs in three months, has to be spayed (she is in heat right now, holy shit), but here's the thing: she inherited Border Collie brains, Dane sweetness, and she is Velcro. Loving, patient, unbelievably affectionate. And yes she destroyed my couch and there are teeth marks on some very nice furniture. But the question always becomes: as someone who nearly always had a dog and was without one for two decades, could I keep on without one? NO. Not at all. Sure, she's pulled me down a hill going after a stag. Sure she can be demanding. Sure. All those things and more. But what she has done for my quality of life is immeasurable and worth every penny I have to spend on boarding so that I can go do my thing. They love her there and she loves it there, and is just as happy to come home as to run full tilt at them in greeting. What she gets with me: a trained masseuse and a full body massage Every. Single. Morning. That does us both good. Will you stop crying about your dogs? Nope. They own that part of your heart. Can you expand your heart? Of course we can. And they will break that part of us eventually as well. The question is whether or not you and I are worth giving ourselves that kind of love.
Oh, Julia, this is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope you'll write more about your giant puppy. I don't think I'm up for another puppy or a Dane, but who knows?
I wasn't either. However since my choice was taken and both my heart and my credit card were on fire, I looked around and end up with her. That's a great idea...I'll tell that story.
I'm sure you won't regret it if you decide to go ahead. Though currently I'm caring for two aging cats and realising what a big and stressful responsibility that can be when they are sick and needing ongoing vet care, blood tests, ultrasounds and inpatient admissions. Wrangling them into cages for distressing vet visits. It's a lot, though what they give back is infinitely more...
There are lots of questionnaires online about what you’re looking for a dog, we used them to help find the dog breed for us. It’s pretty blooming accurate! We got a galgo (Spanish greyhound), I’d have loved a whippet as they’re smaller but they’re not for adoption usually and I knew I wanted to adopt.
I knew I wanted a dog for years but the time wasn’t right. But when I found out I wanted couldn’t have children I knew that I wanted a dog, it became so incredibly clear.
That’s when we used the questionnaires and then started looking at adoption places.
My auntie’s best friend does just dog sitting and finds it fulfils her love of dogs needs but doesn’t tie her down. She only does it for friends and family.
A friend of my brother does this weird dog share that’s available now. I’m not too sure how that works but there seems to be so many options out there.
I think it’s exploring what it is you’re looking for and then chose the bigger life, what would make you happier ☺️
Oh honey girl. I couldn't live without a fur face in my house. I'm that lady that sits on the ground to talk to your dog (because I can no longer squat) but has no interest in your new baby. But puppies? Or kittens? No thank you. I look for the older ones. The three legged ones. The one-eyed ones. The ones who have been in the shelter the longest, or who are the breed or look people shy away from. Those are my *people.* It's taken Kevin Eileen (a cat, but still) a year to get comfortable enough to sleep next to me in bed. I had one that wouldn't let me touch it at all, totally feral, but followed me and ate kiddle off my toes. Each relationship is special and I'm just here to be here for them, and them for me for whatever time the universe gifts us. Give yourself the gift in some way. Foster. or Volunteer. When the right one comes along, you'll know it.💙🩵
I fully appreciate this piece Sue. We've recently lost our dear dog, Fudge. His brother passed away one year and four days before him. I'm now, for the first time in ages, dog-less, and it makes me sad. We currently cant commit to another, and although friends are well meaning when offering up time with their pups, it just isn't the same. Not at the moment, anyway. Dogs are wonderful creatures. They truly enrich our lives.
I am 71. My 19.5 year old chihuahua rescue died in April. My 15 year old bischon rescue died in August. I still have another 15 year old biscon rescue. And as of last week I have a 12-week old cavapoo!! My first puppy in seven dogs. (See my memoir Mattie, Milo, and Me." It is amazing!!!! I can't not smile every time I look at him!!! I have no idea how potty training happens. Right now I am getting pretty good at predicting when he has to go. We live in an apartment in NYC. We have a deck. But, he can't go outside on the sidewalks until he is fully vacinated. So, we have a pen with a pad in our kitchen. I have no idea how a) he gets the message that when he has to go he goes to the pen and b) that when he has to go he goes to the door to the deck. But, I am not the first person with a puppy in NYC, so....I am sure it will happen. For now he is a lot of fun, very sweet and pretty much perfect. I have no idea how they genetically engineer these guys. It's alsmot like a chat gpt dog, except if he were that, he'd be potty trained!!!!
I love that you're so happy with your new dog. Thank you for sharing this. It gives me hope. With the puppy, every time he looks like he might have to potty, take him where he's supposed to do it. He'll get the message.
My little heart dog, Sophie died at fifteen leaving us with Sugar who at 17 is possibly the oldest lab on the planet. I know Sugar won't be around forever and I'll be facing the same situation. At my age, I won't get a big dog or even a smaller one that needs a lot of exercise. I've been thinking my next dog may be a cat.
Oh dear sweet Sue. Every single fur baby I have had (both cats and dogs) still have a special corner in my heart. We never lose that love. And? I have found that I’m an even better fur baby mom now!
Go For It❣️❣️❣️ and? I think that if you adopt from a place like the Asher House Sanctuary, you already will know exactly what you are getting, and I’m willing to bet they would take back the sweet dog if something ever happened to you.
I was just looking thru these pups, and I bet Lucy, Honey or Robbie would be amazing cuddle bugs/ walking mates with you 💞 ( *the good news about these pups is that they have been watched, evaluated, and taken care of by loving staff in a super home, so you truly know what you’re getting,)
There are some fake websites for this place, but this is the real one. He has a marvelous face book page and you tube… lots of videos of dog rescues , pack walks and the dogs playing in their property
You truly won’t find a more loving, more awesome rescue place
Oh Sue, our two beloved dog friends died a few months apart. One was sad without the other. But made it to fifteen. Last time a dog left us, we couldn't face another one for a long time, then it hit us. We had to have one. Ended up a puppy, later his sister as a grown dog. When he left, it took us about a month to feel the need again. We were actively looking, when a young husky, Mijah, fell into our laps. Never in my life would I have expected to be a husky mom, but my husband fell in love, she needed to be rescued, and so she is ours, blue eyes, husky song, need to run, a red wolf. Soon, we will take her to look for the right little brother. This one must be a smaller pooch for our old bodies to handle.
As a first time mom to two Great Danes, I am all about the dogs (although maybe not a puppy). Fostering seems like a good middle ground. Wishing you peace in your decision.
The last two times I have lost dogs, I made it 3 days before adopting another. I feel that saving another dog is a way to honor them, plus it's just too sad to keep looking and listening for my lost friend.
After saying that, I also want to say that last time I lost a dog unexpectedly was during the pandemic and getting another dog right away was definitely too soon. The stress from both events together almost tipped me over the edge.
I hope and pray that my now four year old Golden lives a long life. After her, I might consider getting cats since I work full time. You are retired and may have more time to spend with a dog, even living alone. Have you considered adopting through a dog rescue. In northern Ohio, we have one called Multiple Breed Rescue. You could even foster through a rescue and if you happen to have a foster failure and find your next best friend, all the better :)
I'm not really retired, but I do work from home. We have a rescue place called Safe Haven that looks a great place to find a dog when I'm read. I'm going to take another look at fostering.
Great questions you ask. My Sally is quite alive, but I know that's a gift with an expiration date, like everything in life. So I ask the same questions.
Sue, get the dog! I've lost a dog and cat this year. They were precious, as all my fur babies have been. I have loved them all and the loss is always devastating. But I think of all the love, hugs, antics and companionship and I wouldn't have it any other way. My tiny cat, Bear, is 19! She rules over the other three cats and my daughter's blond German Shepherd. She will leave some time too. I hope not for another 10 years. She is my baby and the Queen. I will be welcoming a new puppy on Sept. 14th. It's been a long while since I've had a puppy. But her timing is perfect and she won my heart. Wish me luck, and make years of puppy kisses.
It took me five years after my first dog died to get another one. He’d had a lot of issues his last two years that made things hard and heartbreaking. He was a rescue. I finally adopted another rescue, an 8-week-old puppy, at a time in my life when I was at my lowest. She was a TON of work (not housebroken until 7 months old), but has been the funniest, sweetest dog ever. She got me through a lot.
Two years ago, after losing two pregnancies, I got myself an older rescue pup. These two girls make me smile and laugh every day. I plan my travel and adventures around them, so we’re never apart. I hate to think about them getting older and infirm.
I don’t know what the right decision is for you, but a housebroken rescue pup might be just the thing, when you feel ready. You’ll know when you find The One! 😍
I actually went to Safe Haven to interview some dogs a while back. Ultimately, at 71, I went to a Wiggly Tails adoption event to get a 25-lb brown 5 year old mature housetrained velcro dog and came home with an 8 week old Dane border mix. The first dog had ten people signed up to see him and went with the first family. Mika, as she got named, is all those things: she is giant, gained 30 lbs in three months, has to be spayed (she is in heat right now, holy shit), but here's the thing: she inherited Border Collie brains, Dane sweetness, and she is Velcro. Loving, patient, unbelievably affectionate. And yes she destroyed my couch and there are teeth marks on some very nice furniture. But the question always becomes: as someone who nearly always had a dog and was without one for two decades, could I keep on without one? NO. Not at all. Sure, she's pulled me down a hill going after a stag. Sure she can be demanding. Sure. All those things and more. But what she has done for my quality of life is immeasurable and worth every penny I have to spend on boarding so that I can go do my thing. They love her there and she loves it there, and is just as happy to come home as to run full tilt at them in greeting. What she gets with me: a trained masseuse and a full body massage Every. Single. Morning. That does us both good. Will you stop crying about your dogs? Nope. They own that part of your heart. Can you expand your heart? Of course we can. And they will break that part of us eventually as well. The question is whether or not you and I are worth giving ourselves that kind of love.
Yes. We are.
Oh, Julia, this is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope you'll write more about your giant puppy. I don't think I'm up for another puppy or a Dane, but who knows?
I wasn't either. However since my choice was taken and both my heart and my credit card were on fire, I looked around and end up with her. That's a great idea...I'll tell that story.
Our baby Dane just turned two in April. Finally, most of the Velociraptor is gone. And yes, they are both "sticky" as our vet likes to say.
I have to watch out every time I turn around as I have a huge sawhorse right at my legs.
I'm sure you won't regret it if you decide to go ahead. Though currently I'm caring for two aging cats and realising what a big and stressful responsibility that can be when they are sick and needing ongoing vet care, blood tests, ultrasounds and inpatient admissions. Wrangling them into cages for distressing vet visits. It's a lot, though what they give back is infinitely more...
There are lots of questionnaires online about what you’re looking for a dog, we used them to help find the dog breed for us. It’s pretty blooming accurate! We got a galgo (Spanish greyhound), I’d have loved a whippet as they’re smaller but they’re not for adoption usually and I knew I wanted to adopt.
I knew I wanted a dog for years but the time wasn’t right. But when I found out I wanted couldn’t have children I knew that I wanted a dog, it became so incredibly clear.
That’s when we used the questionnaires and then started looking at adoption places.
My auntie’s best friend does just dog sitting and finds it fulfils her love of dogs needs but doesn’t tie her down. She only does it for friends and family.
A friend of my brother does this weird dog share that’s available now. I’m not too sure how that works but there seems to be so many options out there.
I think it’s exploring what it is you’re looking for and then chose the bigger life, what would make you happier ☺️
I’ll be eager to hear what you decide to do!
Oh honey girl. I couldn't live without a fur face in my house. I'm that lady that sits on the ground to talk to your dog (because I can no longer squat) but has no interest in your new baby. But puppies? Or kittens? No thank you. I look for the older ones. The three legged ones. The one-eyed ones. The ones who have been in the shelter the longest, or who are the breed or look people shy away from. Those are my *people.* It's taken Kevin Eileen (a cat, but still) a year to get comfortable enough to sleep next to me in bed. I had one that wouldn't let me touch it at all, totally feral, but followed me and ate kiddle off my toes. Each relationship is special and I'm just here to be here for them, and them for me for whatever time the universe gifts us. Give yourself the gift in some way. Foster. or Volunteer. When the right one comes along, you'll know it.💙🩵
Oh, thank you, Jodi. You inspire me. Look out, dogs. I'm coming.
I agree, I don’t do puppies. I’ve adopted a four year old and she’s the perfect amount of energy and chill for me. 💚
I fully appreciate this piece Sue. We've recently lost our dear dog, Fudge. His brother passed away one year and four days before him. I'm now, for the first time in ages, dog-less, and it makes me sad. We currently cant commit to another, and although friends are well meaning when offering up time with their pups, it just isn't the same. Not at the moment, anyway. Dogs are wonderful creatures. They truly enrich our lives.
I am 71. My 19.5 year old chihuahua rescue died in April. My 15 year old bischon rescue died in August. I still have another 15 year old biscon rescue. And as of last week I have a 12-week old cavapoo!! My first puppy in seven dogs. (See my memoir Mattie, Milo, and Me." It is amazing!!!! I can't not smile every time I look at him!!! I have no idea how potty training happens. Right now I am getting pretty good at predicting when he has to go. We live in an apartment in NYC. We have a deck. But, he can't go outside on the sidewalks until he is fully vacinated. So, we have a pen with a pad in our kitchen. I have no idea how a) he gets the message that when he has to go he goes to the pen and b) that when he has to go he goes to the door to the deck. But, I am not the first person with a puppy in NYC, so....I am sure it will happen. For now he is a lot of fun, very sweet and pretty much perfect. I have no idea how they genetically engineer these guys. It's alsmot like a chat gpt dog, except if he were that, he'd be potty trained!!!!
I love that you're so happy with your new dog. Thank you for sharing this. It gives me hope. With the puppy, every time he looks like he might have to potty, take him where he's supposed to do it. He'll get the message.
My little heart dog, Sophie died at fifteen leaving us with Sugar who at 17 is possibly the oldest lab on the planet. I know Sugar won't be around forever and I'll be facing the same situation. At my age, I won't get a big dog or even a smaller one that needs a lot of exercise. I've been thinking my next dog may be a cat.
I'm so sorry about Sophie. I have not heard of 17-year-old lab before. I have thought about a cat, too, even though I'm allergic to them.
Oh dear sweet Sue. Every single fur baby I have had (both cats and dogs) still have a special corner in my heart. We never lose that love. And? I have found that I’m an even better fur baby mom now!
Go For It❣️❣️❣️ and? I think that if you adopt from a place like the Asher House Sanctuary, you already will know exactly what you are getting, and I’m willing to bet they would take back the sweet dog if something ever happened to you.
I was just looking thru these pups, and I bet Lucy, Honey or Robbie would be amazing cuddle bugs/ walking mates with you 💞 ( *the good news about these pups is that they have been watched, evaluated, and taken care of by loving staff in a super home, so you truly know what you’re getting,)
https://www.theasherhouse.com/pages/adopt
Thanks, Teyani. I didn't know about Asher house. So many beautiful dogs on their site. Sounds good.
There are some fake websites for this place, but this is the real one. He has a marvelous face book page and you tube… lots of videos of dog rescues , pack walks and the dogs playing in their property
You truly won’t find a more loving, more awesome rescue place
https://youtu.be/gr7Tn5SqyBQ?si=IViOf_jEsv9xgaIq
Oh Sue, our two beloved dog friends died a few months apart. One was sad without the other. But made it to fifteen. Last time a dog left us, we couldn't face another one for a long time, then it hit us. We had to have one. Ended up a puppy, later his sister as a grown dog. When he left, it took us about a month to feel the need again. We were actively looking, when a young husky, Mijah, fell into our laps. Never in my life would I have expected to be a husky mom, but my husband fell in love, she needed to be rescued, and so she is ours, blue eyes, husky song, need to run, a red wolf. Soon, we will take her to look for the right little brother. This one must be a smaller pooch for our old bodies to handle.
I love huskies. Thank you for sharing this.
As a first time mom to two Great Danes, I am all about the dogs (although maybe not a puppy). Fostering seems like a good middle ground. Wishing you peace in your decision.
Thank you, Annie. Great Danes! You can't help but be all about those dogs. Enjoy.
They are, without question, the most loving dogs on the planet. (and they sleep a lot!!)
The last two times I have lost dogs, I made it 3 days before adopting another. I feel that saving another dog is a way to honor them, plus it's just too sad to keep looking and listening for my lost friend.
After saying that, I also want to say that last time I lost a dog unexpectedly was during the pandemic and getting another dog right away was definitely too soon. The stress from both events together almost tipped me over the edge.
I hope and pray that my now four year old Golden lives a long life. After her, I might consider getting cats since I work full time. You are retired and may have more time to spend with a dog, even living alone. Have you considered adopting through a dog rescue. In northern Ohio, we have one called Multiple Breed Rescue. You could even foster through a rescue and if you happen to have a foster failure and find your next best friend, all the better :)
I'm not really retired, but I do work from home. We have a rescue place called Safe Haven that looks a great place to find a dog when I'm read. I'm going to take another look at fostering.
Great questions you ask. My Sally is quite alive, but I know that's a gift with an expiration date, like everything in life. So I ask the same questions.
Oh, you wanted answers?
:-) I'm glad I'm not the only one asking the questions.
Sue, get the dog! I've lost a dog and cat this year. They were precious, as all my fur babies have been. I have loved them all and the loss is always devastating. But I think of all the love, hugs, antics and companionship and I wouldn't have it any other way. My tiny cat, Bear, is 19! She rules over the other three cats and my daughter's blond German Shepherd. She will leave some time too. I hope not for another 10 years. She is my baby and the Queen. I will be welcoming a new puppy on Sept. 14th. It's been a long while since I've had a puppy. But her timing is perfect and she won my heart. Wish me luck, and make years of puppy kisses.
Enjoy your new puppy!
It took me five years after my first dog died to get another one. He’d had a lot of issues his last two years that made things hard and heartbreaking. He was a rescue. I finally adopted another rescue, an 8-week-old puppy, at a time in my life when I was at my lowest. She was a TON of work (not housebroken until 7 months old), but has been the funniest, sweetest dog ever. She got me through a lot.
Two years ago, after losing two pregnancies, I got myself an older rescue pup. These two girls make me smile and laugh every day. I plan my travel and adventures around them, so we’re never apart. I hate to think about them getting older and infirm.
I don’t know what the right decision is for you, but a housebroken rescue pup might be just the thing, when you feel ready. You’ll know when you find The One! 😍
Thank you, Liz!