very confused

[devastated70]

Hi.

I had 2 1 1/2 yr old German Shepherds (brother and sister) and I have had them since they were 2 weeks old. 2 weeks ago I lost my female shepherd to an enlarged heart (that I was unaware of), she died instantly, after tests/xrays, it was determined that she had an enlarged heart and that it just colapsed. Although I am very devastated (and confused) with her death, I still have her brother that is extremely depressed and now is becoming solely dependant on me. I work a 8-5 job, they were raised to be out side dogs, so while I am at work I keep him outside, but as soon as I get home, he is in with me, sleeps with me, etc. Everyone is telling me that I should get him another companion and I am very confused about this decision. I got the two (brother and sister) to begin with so that they could be outside dogs and keep each other company while I was at work (8-5), they were/are my joy and would rush home to play with them everyday.

I am a huge animal lover and have had 3 dogs and a cat in the past and have just recently lost all of them (mostly to old age, 3 dogs lived to be 14-15 yrs old and my cat lived to be 21 1/2 years old), I was completely hurt by the loss of my "babies" and found comfort in my new German Shepherd babies. I am not married, no kids, etc, so they are my family. I was completely SHOCKED when I lost my 1 1/2 year old shepherd and still grieving from her death.

I am trying to focus on my male that seems so sad and depressed. I really do not want to get another dog (especially so soon), but I do not want him to be unhappy either. When I get home from work we go on walks, car rides, etc, but its while I am at work that I am worried about him. I am so confused on what to do. I plan on looking in to "puppy classes", etc that we might can join. I do not know if bringing another dog in to the family would help with this situation, which, in getting another dog would mean that He would not be able to come inside, sleep inside, etc and am not sure on how he would react to another dog. As you can tell I am very confused and not sure what the "right" answer is.. any opinions, suggestions are welcome, thank you for letting me share my story.

[Macawpower58]

I'd hold off on getting another dog, especially since you really don't want to. Never get a dog unless it's for you. It's only been 2 weeks since you lost your girl, and your other dog will need time to adjust to the new life. He also may very well hate a new dog. I'd take life for now day by day.

I'm sorry you lost your girl. Hand in there, it'll get better.

[dlaura]

Oh that had to be devastating! It is so hard when you lose them to old age, but the unexpected loss at a young age is a shock.

I am sorry for the loss of your 1 1/2 yr old female.

As Becky said, get another dog because you want one, not because of the other dog. However, one thing I'd like to say is not to feel disloyal by deciding to get another pup. I feel it is a tribute to their lives that we miss their companship so much that we fill the void with another. Remember you aren't forgetting the dog that passed, she will always be in your heart.

Hugs,
Diane

[special]

I am so sorry for all your recent losses. There certainly will be a time of adjustment, and I agree that now is not the right time to adopt another dog, since you aren't sure it's what you want.

I found it very telling, esp. when you said if you had two, you wouldn't be bringing (what's his name?) in to be with you at night. I wondered about that, because, even with two, you could still do all the same things, the walks and games and cuddling at night.

He will eventually adjust to not having his companion, and surely already lookds forward to his walks and nights inside with you.

Are you saying if you had two, you would not bring them inside at all?

If he has sufficient shelter, and room to run and play outside during the day, he will adjust to those hours you are at work, since all the other hours are spent with you.

Allow both of you to grieve and heal and adjust, before making any important decisions that will affect not only you, and your current dog, but any new dog you take in.

by the way, I think puppy classes are an excellent idea for many reasons. you and he will strengthen your bonds and he will learn how to be the best dog he can, and you will learn how to help him be that. Also it will be important socializing for him, so that in the event you do decide to get another dog, he will already know how to be with other dogs.

Even after puppy classes if you have a friend who has a dog, it's a good idea ot keep him exposed to other dogs for that reason.

[Irish_Lass]

I'm so sorry for your sad loss. :(

[tiffers]

How sad...I am sorry for the recent deaths in your family. How traumatic.

On a medical side of things, if these two are related...you need to get your boy to the vet now. He needs bloodwork and xrays. What if he has an enlarged heart, too? What if you can detect it soon and save his life?

Do not get another dog. Let the bond grow even stronger between you and your boy. You're both sad right now, that's a natural feeling. But, together you will both become happy again.

[devastated70]

Thank you for all of the kind words from everyone.

I did take my boy (Ollie) to the vet the very next morning and had his blood work done. To my knowledge, my vet told me that even IF he does have an enlarged heart too, that there is really nothing that can be done - does anyone know if this is true, or is there stuff that can be done?

After work yesterday when I got home, I noticed Ollie had been digging, and I know that is his anger/anxiety from losing his companion, I know he is confused and hurt as I am. I hope I got everything patched that he is not able to get out, but of course I am scared to death about him getting out, getting hit, getting lost, etc..

I am still uncertain about another dog (just yet), and I agree with everyone about waiting at least a little while and hope that we can adjust to "our" routine. Ollie does stay outside while I am at work and has plenty of shelter and protection from the rain/sun. Someone asked if I got another dog, that I would not let Two be in the house and Ollie would be kicked out with the other dog. I am just a little undecided when it comes to having two dogs in the house, I like the bigger dogs over the smaller ones and two in the house (I have a small house) can seem a little over bearing (for me); but not saying that I wouldn't let them in. I did let Sadie and Ollie in during bad weather but were mostly outside dogs.

Again, I greatly appreciate the kind words from everyone during this very emotional time for me. Sometimes I feel that my family and friends get tired of hearing me go on and on about my "babies". They Are my life and some people refer to them as "just dogs" and that just is not the case in my life. I really appreciate being able to share my thoughts and worries. Thank you

[special]

Sometimes I feel that my family and friends get tired of hearing me go on and on about my "babies". They Are my life and some people refer to them as "just dogs" and that just is not the case in my life. I really appreciate being able to share my thoughts and worries. Thank you

well you've come to the right place as we can never get enough of talking about our furbabies, OR hearing about everyone else's furbabies.

I think you are being very sensible about things.

Got any pictures of Ollie? (and of course we'd like to see your beloved Bridge Angel Sadie, too)

[devastated70]

Thank you so much,,,

yes, i have pics,, but i don't know how to download them on here?
Sadie was a BEAUTIFUL German Shepherd with beautiful markings, Ollie is a Black German Shepherd, i would love to share pics but not sure how? I also have a 1 yr old Cat Symen (pronounce SI-Men, ha, but spelled symen from taking letters from my previous babies Sydney (21 yr old tabby cat), Samson (15 yr old BLK lab/BLK Chow mix), Delila (red chow/golden retriever mix), Jazmyn (Samson/Delila's daughter)

[dlaura]

Go to the Portrait forum on this site and there a few threads at very top which explain in detail how to post pics.

I am going to copy your one post (where you asked about if dog has enlarged heart - if anything can be done) to health chat dogs so you can get more answers to that.

[devastated70]

Thank you so much, everyone on this site seems so nice and full of opinions, suggestions, and have been very helpful.