Extending Our Family

A reader recently asked if we talk about getting another dog. As indicated on my 101 List, I want another dog.

When we got Zoey in 2006, she was the joy of my life. I loved her and all of her faults. She was the perfect dog for Ryan and I (we always joke that Buddy is the perfect dog for any family and Zoey was the perfect dog for our family). However, she had a lot of energy!! We thought getting another dog was just what we needed. Come to find out we were right. No longer was Zoey so worried about what Ryan and I were doing 24/7, because she had a friend to keep her busy. Don't get me wrong though, she still loved us to pieces, but she didn't feel the need to always follow us around and have us occupy her constantly.

Her and Buddy got along very well. They typically played pretty rough, but they both seemed to know their place in the house and really balanced each other out well. When we lost Zoey I knew she could never be replaced, but I expected to get another dog for the sake of Buddy. He and Zoey did so well together that I thought HE'D want another dog. It didn't happen right away and we bounced the idea around from time to time (specifically when I'd be scanning the 'market place' section of the news journal and see the most adorable chocolate lab) but it never happened.

Fast forward to our new house, our new life and Buddy's new outlook on life. My cousin Michael has been staying with us for a few months now and that includes his dog Duncan. Duncan is a sweetheart, but for some reason, from day one they haven't really gotten along. They don't really play and Buddy is just super protective of all things "Kennedy" related (our house, our furniture, our child and Ryan and I). Watching the two of them worries me that Buddy wouldn't know what hit him if not only we brought a child into our home, but we brought another dog. Being that the whole reason I say I want another dog is for the sake of Buddy - then what's the point if he hates the idea??

Part of me thinks that at some point down the road we will get another dog and this dog/puppy and Buddy will be the best friends ever, but who knows. Currently I feel that Buddy and Duncan don't get along because they're both male. because Duncan's not part of our family. because Duncan still has his balls. because Duncan's not here all the time. because Buddy's just got used to being the only one with four legs...

As you can see, there's a lot that will go into the thought of whether or not to get another dog. No longer is it "can we afford another 70 lb dog" but "is it the best thing for our family". I think it's safe to say that I will not be crossing that off my list any time soon.