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

[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.

[Freedom]

Such a handsome fella has joined your family! I LOVE these photos of him, and I do hope you will take lots more photos of your fur kids for us to enjoy!

Siblings . . . I was 8 years old when my baby brother arrived. Until then, I was IT! I wanted a BIG SISTER, and what did I get? A little brother who was "supposed" to be a birthday present and arrived a day late! (I should have taken that as a sign, but that is another story, te hee.)

Growing up we had my dog, Princess, from about 4 months old. When she was 12 or 13, and had some old age issues, my grandpa died, and I brought his dog Samantha to our home (didn't even talk it over with my folks). Well, Princess sat out in the front room and refused to even come in the house for 2 weeks. We all felt badly, even though we knew Sammie needed us as well. We spent time "visiting" with Princess and trying to coax her in, to no avail. Finally we couldn't keep THAT up and just went about our lives. And Princess got herself back into family life so she could get all her petting. We made sure to dote on her whenever she showed us ANY interest. It worked. At the end of the first month, the 2 girls would trot about the house, the yard, anywhere else side by side. As Princess continued to age, Sammie would be the one to tell us when the water bowl was empty. One of us would fill it, and Princess would be the one who drank! Stuff like that happened a lot in the last 2 years of Princess's life (she lived to almost 17).

Time will tell what type of relationship Ginger and Taz will have. I can only say it will amaze you!

God bless for taking in a senior pup.

[luvofallhorses]

Congratulations, Joyce! Taz is such a cutie pie. and yes it's alright to feel that way. Best of luck to you all. I am sure Ginger & Taz will be able to get along fine, it will take some time but I am sure they'll get used to each other.

[anna_66]

Oh Joyce, I'm so happy for you and Ginger! Glad to hear that you've found the senior boy you've been looking for

I hope things work out wonderfully between everyone!

And as for not being happy about an addition...Huney could NOT stand Bon. She wanted nothing to do with him for weeks and avoided him like the plague. Now they're very great friends

[Alysser]

Congratulations on the new addition, Joyce! Taz is a cutie. I am sure he will be a great addition to your family!

[Flatcoatluver]

Taz is so precious, and he looks like he has such a great personality.

I know how you feel, I cried the first day I got Sage, because I felt as if I was replacing Zoey, but I learned to work 3 dogs in the family, and can't think about being without Sage. I am sure you will feel the same way soon!

[MoonandBean]

OMG..........I'm just catching this thread now! I haven't been on this weekend. Congratulations!!!! Will Taz have a dogster page? I'm off to check

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

OMGosh!! A new baby! How wonderful for you. All your worries will melt away as I am sure they are starting too with seeing Ginger warming up. For some dogs it is a slower process and other will immediately love the new addition. I had the same fears when I brought Chopper home, I had very mixed feelings about Duke. Duke is my heart dog! I worried that he would think I did not love him any more or would be angry and nasty towards Chopper out of being "hurt" as he was not the center of all attention. I know we already had Champ but Duke is just so attached to ME and Champ, well she loves everyone equally.

Before you know it they will be best of friends and you will look back and wonder how you ever lived without him. He is a handsome fella, shame on his previous owners for dumping him....but blessed you for being his hero, bringing him home and giving him love.

Please give both your pups a treat and some belly rubs from me.

[cassiesmom]

Yay, Ginger and Taz! Ginger, way to be a big sis. Taz, I don't believe I've ever met a dog before that liked carrots! Ginger and Taz, I hope you get a yummy bite of hamburger as a treat, or a delicious dog treat, on the Fourth of July. Please ask your mom to give you both some petting for me!