Too Soon?

[shais_mom]

Thank you, you all said it wonderfully!!

[3-greys-and-a-mutt]

Instead, those dogs, as much as I miss them and will never forget them, give me the reason to go on and meet and get to know other dogs. Every dog that passes out of my life gives me the incentive to go on and get to know others.
If you have a really bad marriage, for instance, it does not make you feel that great about marrying again, does it? If you have a great marriage..........

Carrie, I feel exactly the same way! After I lost my cocker spaniel (my first dog) I first felt that it would be a betrayal to get another dog. But, as soon as Paula came home, I realized that it was because of the positive, enriching experience I had with Freckles that made me able to love Paula so unconditionally. I feel that I will credit every dog to come in my life to Freckles...

[TheAntiPam]

I don't mean to make light of your loss and your grief, but think of all that time and effort Shai put into training YOU to be a loving friend and caretaker! You are just getting good at this dog-lover stuff! You've learned so much about behavior and health issues and how to help a dog blossom into a loving pet.

To me, being a friend and teacher to another dog is just passing along all that good stuff that Shai gave you. She helped build you, now go out and make her proud!

Best wishes to you during this time of loss and change. Keep loving - it will come back to you in bushels!

[shais_mom]

I have been perusing GR sites for info. Does anyone know any sites that are good for training/housebreaking puppies?
I had a dilemna yesterday morning! A lady at work told me about a girl she knows trying to get rid of some labbie puppies for free!! I said "Do they have any chocolates" (my favorite) and she said Yes. As much as I would like to, I feel this GR is tugging at my heart. It would be easier to train a puppy while the weather is still nice, but it has only been 2 weeks and I feel it would be too soon. At least with the GR I will have time to prepare my heart and home. In my heart, I feel the GR is the right one, of course I still harbor some doubts, but I had them with Shaianne in the beginning and Kylie also. Now I can't imagine life without them in it or influencing it the way they have.

[tatsxxx11]

Dear Staci

I think you really should follow your heart. And from listening to you, I think you already know which route you want to follow. I'm sure that just the idea that someone you know is right there with a labbie pup for the taking is very enticing and a comforting thought after such a terrible loss. But only if you know "this is the time; this is the dog." Do what feels right deep, deep down.. When the time is right you will know it for certain, and the perfect pup will come your way, and your heart will be open to give and accept that incomprable love. It's all part of a greater plan! And I want you to know, I think of you and Shaianne every day. At work, I think of her each time I hug one of the "Greys." Today it was the beautiful rescue Buttons. You two are always in my heart and prayers. Sandra

[ September 27, 2001: Message edited by: tatsxxx11 ]

[Sudilar]

I was also thinking about you. I'm glad that you will be getting a pup soon. Don't feel guilty. No other dog in the world will take the place of Shai in your heart, but you have a big heart, Staci. You'll soon have room for another pup to love!

[RachelJ]

When my Bailey went to the Rainbow Bridge, my husband and friends put pressure on me to get a puppy. They thought I was grieving too much and having to engage in the puppy raising would bring me out of it. I knew I had done most of my grieving before she passed because of her lengthy illness, but I still couldn't think straight. so I let them talk me into it before I felt I was "ready". So it was only a month after Bailey's passing, when I got Hannah, who as fates would have it turned out to be a terrible puppy and it was winter. At first I felt I couldn't bond with her. She was resistant to housebreaking as well as being a very strong alpha female who seemed to have no need to please. Then she got very sick and I thought I might lose her and I realized how very much I loved her. The next two years were still very difficult, but that love carried me through and even her most contentious characteristics taught me lessons I never dreamed I still had to learn. I guess what I am saying is that I know how difficult it is to know
what to do at a time like this. But in the end, it will probably turn out just fine, even if you think you make some preventable mistakes along the way. Was I ready for another dog....NO. In my haste did I choose the right time of year to raise a puppy....NO. Did I choose the right dog for me.....NO. If I could go back in time, would I do it any differently....NO.

[ September 28, 2001: Message edited by: RachelJ ]

[Dixieland Dancer]

This is a typical Golden. See what you have to look forward to!!!!



I am a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America and our local GRC. Check our the GRCA website for more info. www.grca.org

You can get to this site from the grca URL.
puppy training

[ September 28, 2001: Message edited by: Dixieland Dancer ]

[purrley]

Oh Dixie that is just the most precious picture I've ever seen - everyone I've ever talked to that's been owned by a Golden feels the same way. If I didn't live in a small condo I would definately consider getting one of these beautiful dogs!!!

[3-greys-and-a-mutt]

We rescued a stray golden and had it at our house for a day last year. What a lover she was - and so full of energy (she kept us up all night wanting to play, but I think that's just because she missed her family!). She was so sweet; I kept thinking - what a great pet for a young kid! - since she was so gentle, energetic, and loving. I can totally see we those of you with young kids picked goldens to share your homes with!
The ONLY reason I could never have a golden is because of the hair! (We filled up an entire vaccuum bag with long golden hair after she went home - I'm used to greyhound's minimal shedding! )

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Dixie what a great photo, I'll have to admit the Goldens are so beautiful, and it seems any photo of them that you look at they look so loving and peaceful and kind.
Jackie

[Dixieland Dancer]

My Goldens do not shed a lot of hair except twice a year (spring and fall) for about 1 1/2 weeks. The rest of the year is very minimal. Usually if you have a golden who sheds uncontrollably it is the diet you are feeding them.

Goldens tend to have allergies that are produced from primarily grain based foods. Dogs are conivers (meat eaters) and should be fed food that they were meant to eat. If they were meant to eat grains then they would be garden raiders and not animal killers in the wild.

Super Premium dog foods like Innova (3 meat products as the first 3 ingredients) tend to fair well with helping the shedding out of control situation. I'm sure this applies for all dog breeds and not just Goldens!While super premium foods cost more to purchase, you feed less and it actually costs less in the long run per pound of food to feed.

If any of you have dogs that shed really bad, try switching their diet and maybe that will help!

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Rachel, your story of Hannah sounds familiar,we still had Kona but it was just a matter of time. Don said I could have any dog and I decided on Daisy, I felt sorry for her. When we got home, I was the only one she would bite and I mean draw blood, she would never come to me but would go to Don,
when we took her to the Vet and I held her in the Explorer she would bite me the whole way. She would never do anything I told her to do. I just about gave up and said to Don she hates me. My arms were full of bandaids.
He said patience is a virtue. She never wanted to be held. I said o.k. somehow I'm going to win her over, we took our time and I never picked her up, I called her and she wouldn't come but that was o.k. After three years of patience, she now comes to me, I can hold her for maybe five minutes and she gives me kisses. At first she slept at the bottom of my bed (o.k. carrie I know) now she sleeps next to me with her butt against me. I look in her eyes and I know how much she loves me and we do have a special bond.
I believe this all happened because the breeders two girls carried her around like a rag doll, they never put her down for a minute when we were there. When they did, she ran under the coffee table to hide.
Daisy is my dog of a lifetime.
Jackie

[crow_noir]

hey Stacie. just checking in, seeing how you are doing.

(sorry if i missed a post on the subject. catching up you know.)