Happy but scared :) (New pictures addded Post #54)

[chocolatepuppy]

Oh Joyce! Congrats! I had a funny feeling this was coming. Taz is so cute!

I was a bit sad when I was bringing him home and I realized that it will no longer be just my baby and me. Is it alright to feel that way? I know that Taz will just give Ginger and I the chance to give and receive more love.

Yep, it's ok to feel that way, I've been there a few times. For the few things the 'only' dog is missing out on, he/she gains so much more with the added dog.

[Pam]

Joyce I did kind of see this coming. I can't tell you how happy I am for you and Ginger both. Oh I can't wait to get to know this little cutie pie better. I know there will be pictures and stories in the days ahead and I will stay tuned! How far did you have to go to find him? Is he a Joizy boy?

[cassiesmom]

Hello, Taz, cutie and welcome!

[Glacier]

Congrats and welcome home, Taz!

[Ginger's Mom]

Thank you very much for the reassurances.
Amy, I have been close to tears a number of times this evening, for both happy and sad moments. But they were actually sniffing each other about 1/2 hour ago. I take that as a good sign.
Annette, thank you so very much for saying that. I think I was hoping that was true, but when trying to convince the "first" dog that, you begin to have doubts.
Yes, Pam, he is a Joisey boy through and through. I found him at the Animal Welfare Association in Voorhees yesterday, when I stopped on a whim while driving home from Animal Orphange on a totally unrelated matter (buying tickets to one of their fundraising events). He is 8 years old and was turned in by his family because of "conflicts with their other dogs." I have no idea what that could have been, he is unbelievably good.

Taz' little tail was wagging like crazy when I read him all of the wonderful comments. Thank you very much.

[wolf_Q]

Congratulations! He's really cute!! I bet he'll be friends with Ginger, just give it some time. Nebo wasn't too fond of Keva after he realized she was here to stay...now they are great friends.

[Pam]

Yes, Pam, he is a Joisey boy through and through. I found him at the Animal Welfare Association in Voorhees yesterday, when I stopped on a whim while driving home from Animal Orphange on a totally unrelated matter (buying tickets to one of their fundraising events). He is 8 years old and was turned in by his family because of "conflicts with their other dogs." I have no idea what that could have been, he is unbelievably good.

Joyce you may recall that is how I found Ripley - stopping in at a shelter for a completely different reason! That is amazing!

As someone who has always owned two dogs at a time, I can tell you that I do understand your concern when introducing dog #2. It is only natural and of course you and Ginger have been a duo for quite some time now. I feel that all will work out just fine. You were wise to select a dog that looks like those she searches out for play. I think in the long run Ginger will thank you for giving her a little brother. That's exactly what I did - gave Bella a little brother! Our stories are so similar. Please do keep posting lots of pictures and stories about your two.

Oh, and don't be surprised if he attempts to mount Ginger at some point. Ripley did that with Bella in his first 15 minutes in my house! She simply sat down.

[chocolatepuppy]

Ginger isn't happy with me,

That will change Joyce. It does hurt your heart though to think you upset her. But soon, when they are enjoying each others company, you will see how happy Ginger is.

[Cinder & Smoke]

For the few things the 'only' dog is missing out on,
he/she gains so much more with the added dog.

I don't think Cinder has missed ANYthing because of having Smokey in her Pack.

I had 'misgivings' moments after she and Boots, da Kat, "found him" on the front porch
at midnight on a bitter January night ... I thought she was trying to KILL him the way
she chased him around the Ranch Howze ... till I noticed as they dashed under the
pole light - they were Changing Places each lap!

I can't say who was more upset when we 'gave him away', on his second day with us,
for an overnight at Angels for Animals to get the Big Snip. Cinder was upset the whole
20 hours he was gone; then went ballistic with joy when I brought him out to the Bus
to ride back home. I think she gave him his "I'm Only #2" membership card that night ...

Although she holds the "I'm #1" card, she never waves it in his face.
In 7+ years, there's NEVER been a cross word between them!
And Cinder wouldn't trade him in for ALL the Milkbones in the world!

Given time, and some 'coaching' to both of them, I'll bet Ginger will welcome Taz
into the Pack as a near-equal in record time.

Happy #2 Dawg!

[gini]

You have made me feel all warm and fuzzy this evening with the great news about Taz being your new family member.

God love you for giving this darling boy a good home.

Yes, there probably will be some interesting times ahead of you -but it will be replaced with sheer joy in watching them establish a bond.

[chocolatepuppy]

I don't think Cinder has missed ANYthing because of having Smokey in her Pack.

All I meant was an only dog gets 100% of our attention, all the treats and all the toys,which he then has to share when another dog comes into the home. But sharing isn't a bad thing when you have another dog to share and play with.

[Ginger's Mom]

I came back out here again, because I couldn't sleep, and was really worried, upset, the whole bit. Your posts really do help. I do think Ginger and Taz will be friends, I purposely picked out a dog that is similar to the ones she picks for friends. I just have to be patient and let them move at their own speed, I guess. Ginger isn't happy with me, but there were two occasions since Taz arrived when we shared a few special moments together.

[K9karen]

Does this make me the #1 single dog owner now?
Wow! Congratulations Joyce! I have to admit, I was shocked because you feel a lot like I do. I'm SO happy for you! Taz is an adorable, handsome boy! It's OK, Ginger, mommy will always love you to pieces!

[Riptide]

Huge congratulations on the new addition, Taz certainly is a handsome little man. I'm sure the three of you will get along great.

I was a bit sad when I was bringing him home and I realized that it will no longer be just my baby and me. Is it alright to feel that way?

Of course it's alright to feel that way. It's not an easy thing letting someone else into your life when you & Ginger have been together for so long. I'm sure there will be ups and downs, but I hope you find that our furry friends are often just as willing to open up their hearts to something new as we are. I'm sure the three of you will be inseperable within a few weeks' time

[Ginger's Mom]

Oh, and don't be surprised if he attempts to mount Ginger at some point. Ripley did that with Bella in his first 15 minutes in my house! She simply sat down.

It's funny you should mention this, Pam. Ginger's favorite creatures in the world are small male dogs, but of course they all try to mount her. One of the first things I noticed when we took Ginger and Taz to the pen to meet each other was that he did not try to mount her. I took that as a very good sign, since she is so timid, he wasn't going to be real dominant with her. It's funny with all of my fears and worries, he really is very special boy. I cannot believe anyone could give him up.

but I hope you find that our furry friends are often just as willing to open up their hearts to something new as we are.

Thank you for saying that, Kristen. I think it is why i love dogs so much; I am always amazed at how forgiving and loving they are. But, I think I really needed to hear someone say that.

Well, Ginger has a Barbeque/Birthday party to go to today. Taz is invited, too (I took him over their house last night and he got along fine with their dogs), but I am thinking of just taking Ginger. There will be plenty of opportunity for her to share her special friends with him in the weeks to come, I thought maybe just one more party with them by herself would make us both feel better.