Decisions....I need lots of help. -- Decision made at bottom

[Cookiebaker]

Well we've thought about it now for a day and a half....and we separately and together came to the same conclusion that we are not ready for another puppy.

For one thing, our nights have been so crazy lately, and we feel like we are walking zombies on steroids sometimes. Add to the mix a puppy that might or might not be housetrained overnight? It doesn't seem like a good idea. For another, I am having a hard enough time keeping Malone from constantly clonking Lydia with his big paws. She is spending a lot more time on the floor (rolling and almost crawling) and I am thinking that a rough and tumbling duo of labs is not a healthy idea, because who knows what could happen in the blink of an eye??? Thirdly (and I didn't mention this in my first post) but she really does not want to have him neutered until she decides whether to continue the line when he is a year old. I really don't want any issues with an unneutered male and a neutered male mix. She didn't think it would be an issue because the puppy is so laid back. But Malone can be a bit ummm "funny" when it comes to other unneutered males.

I have to call Evelyn tomorrow, and I am dreading the phone call. 'Cause as much as I want to say no, I want to say yes, too. Call me a female I guess.

Maybe in 4 or 5 years though!!!

[Vermontcat]

Sorry that I didn't reply to this thread until now.
I think you made the right decision to wait.
I know you are a great dog mom and a great mom to baby Lydia too but I think that adding a puppy right now would be too much.
Enjoy every little milestone with Lydia, from her learning to crawl, learning to walk and her first words(doggie maybe?)then maybe it would be the right time to add another dog, possibly an adult one who is already mellow and housetrained etc.
Is there a chance that your friend would keep the dog for a year, get him trained and fixed then offer him to you at that time?

[clara4457]

it is time. God love you for understanding this.

[Karen]

Your decision sounds like the absolutely right one, for all the factors you list. You'll be in our prayers for continued healing.

[kallisto4529]

Trust me you will know when the time is right for all of you, including that beautiful baby of yours. I miss Mousse and Ginger every day I take a breath, but having Reilly has helped with some of the grief. It took me a while after we lost Ginger to really be ok with getting another dog, I wanted one only because God did not bless me to have human kids and a dog for me helps replace some of that "mothering" need. Reilly will never replace them, I loved each of them differently, Mousse I believe was my "heart" dog and no other will replace him. At times when Reilly is being really obnoxious I wonder to myself what in the world have we done!!!!! BUT when that time passes and he is back to his normal wonderful self, I thank God every minute for him, I would have gone crazy had he not been brought into our lives. I truly believe Mousse and Ginger picked him out for us, he has become both my husband and mine. If it matters to you I think for your family you have made the best choice possible for now, in time it will change. Good luck to all of you and God bless you.

[Pam]

Anna I think you are making the right choice. If I was in your shoes I would do the same thing. As you already know, a baby is a handful and so is a new puppy. I think when Lydia is a little older would be a better time for many of the reasons that you mentioned. You and Mark are thinking with your heads and not your hearts and that is not all bad. I know if you had seen this little guy you might have lost all control and brought him home. Better that you didn't have that temptation! Someone will give him a wonderful home and, when the time is right, Malone will have another pupster to play with.

[cyber-sibes]

Sounds like a good, well-thought out decision you won't regret.

[elizabethann]

That's okay. You'll know when the time is right. At least you were very smart and thought it out.

[Alysser]

You know what's best for you. As for this decision, I am glad you thought it out thoroughly and came to the right choice. I would have chosen this to. This is obviously not the right time for a pup, but I am sure you'll know it when the time comes.