Slightly Awkward Question:

[Marrowshard]

I dropped by the shelter where we got Ebony the other day (to say thank you to the staff for being wonderful when she was sick and to deliver a framed pic of Ebony for their wall), and apparently they've got a another mastiff (EM this time) and a Mastador as well. The EM was another animal-control-was-going-to-euthanize situation, not sure what the story on the Mastador is. The shelter wasn't pushy or anything, just said that when I was ready they'd be there.

EM in question is a little over 130 lbs., reverse brindle, fixed male.

It's an awkward question, but is it wrong that I'm already thinking about another dog so soon after saying goodbye to Ebony? It still definitely depresses me that she's not here, even more so since I realized how much I had looked forward to being greeted when I got home and how much we liked going to the local state park for hikes. I miss having a dog around the place to share the great outdoors with.

So don't be too judgy or anything, but am I just going through a phase here or is it appropriate to be wanting another fur-kid?

~Marrow

 

[Caleb]

Totally appropriate! I love my dog and will til' the day we have to put him down, and Im already dreaming about the next one.

 

[dpenning]

Probably a little bit of both. Everyone is different. There is a huge hole in your life. Only you can answer if it is too soon to fill it. If you loved everything about having Ebony minus the illness there is no reason not to have another dog there to greet you!

 

[PuppyPaws]

Sounds like a little more than coincidence to me. You lose your dog and go to the vet to say thank you when another Mastiff in need shows up??? You will have to make the final decision that is best for you, but sounds like a good match to me. No dog is a replacement for the one you lost, but sometimes a new dog will help with the grieving process. I don't think it is wrong at all.

I have a dog with hemangiosarcoma and don't know how much time I have left with him. I have already been given more time than I ever could have expected. I have had opportunities to get another dog. I even have some good friends that wanted to give me a great dane after I lost two of my dogs in a tragic accident, but because I still had crosby and he has hemangio, I chose not to get another dog. I chose rather to spend all the rest of my precious time with Crosby and my remaining other dogs (Hershey and Willow). When I loose Crosby, I may decide to get another. It will leave a huge hole in my heart and I know I will need help through it. I think this new Mastiff might just help you do the same, but you decide. Just don't feel guilty at all. You have nothing to feel guilty about.

 

[Cody]

It is absolutely OK.
When you are ready for a new family member it will come, and it seems it already did.
If it feels right for you, then do it. I understand completely.
Only you will know when you are ready, and no one will judge you for completing your home and family again.

 

[leelee]

Your not replacing Ebony, you are giving another dog the opportunity to have a new life! I think it's wonderful if that's your decision

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

Only you know when you are ready and there is no right for anyone else to judge that.

 

[Dogue]

You'll know when it's time. I think it's great that you're even thinking about rescuing another guy. Many people give up after they lose a dog from a shelter. I think it's great.

 

[Lorri monster]

perfectly said, puppypaws.. one cannot be simply replaced with another, but it can definetly help fill the void...i felt the same way 4 years ago when i had no choice but to put down my pit bull and my 13 year old kitty in the same month...i swore i'd never get another pet...now i have an EM and CC...
so, marrowshard, you'll know when the time is right, but i deffinatly think it's a sign that there is 2 dogs available
good luch with your decision..

 

[Marrowshard]

I've definitely been feeling the loss this week. Ebony was my reason for going out and enjoying the day ... I've been trying to bring my husband around to the idea of an EM in the house, but he's concerned about the size even though the shelter EM only outweighs Ebony by 20-30 pounds. He's not a monster by any means, and definitely has that slightly aloof mastiff air that dissolves into doggy kisses when he figures out you're there to see him. I know I can't ever replace Ebony, but there are so many dogs at the shelter that need forever-homes and I admit I've been spoiled by owning one mastiff into preferring to have another!

~Marrow

 

[Kandie]

Sounds like a little more than coincidence to me. You lose your dog and go to the vet to say thank you when another Mastiff in need shows up??? You will have to make the final decision that is best for you, but sounds like a good match to me. No dog is a replacement for the one you lost, but sometimes a new dog will help with the grieving process. I don't think it is wrong at all.

.

x2!
I hope you and your husband can make the best choice for your family. Please keep us updated!

 

[PuppyPaws]

I'm sure the loss remains a struggle. It's been 2 years Sept 10th since I lost my 2. I still feel the pangs of saddness from time to time. As they say, time heals but sometimes it just takes way too long. Hang in there. It will get easier. Just know you have a lot of lifting you up on this forum. Let us know what you decide in regards to the shelter mastiff.

Thanks Lorri Monster!

 

[Ripsmom]

being a shelter employee I hear this all the time and it is perfectly normal and acceptable to be thinking of another dog and to be quite honest I feel that there are so many shelter dogs that need a home why not rescue another. i know it's sometimes hard to get over a dog but you are not replacing your last dog, you are giving another dog the same chance you gave her. It's not like you are getting rid of one pet to take another, that would be a different story. From a personal standpoint i don't waste any time getting another dog after i have lost one, i feel as though my dog lived a happy life and i did everything i could for it and waiting before getting another will not bring him or her back and why should I wait when some dog might be getting euthanized; having another dog some seems to help the grieving process because it enables you to think about and involve yourself with the new dog rather than constantly dwelling on the one you lost, naturally you will still think of ebony but you will have a new relationship to work on. I hope you go for it, you will be doing a good thing

 

[Bentley]

There is nothing wrong with wanting to have another dog (it's not a case of it being so soon), I would go spare without a dog in my life, but they would be another companion not a replacement of a previous one. Also, if you are rescueing, then that is always a positive act and one which I believe would honour the memory of Ebony, not replace it.

 

[Marrowshard]

So I was able to talk my husband around to giving Oscar a chance. We dropped off the application today, and the in-home inspection was scheduled for this coming Monday. It's a different person doing the inspection this time than last time, so I hope we're up to snuff. No breakables down low, no houseplants (2 outside that come in for winter, both non-toxic), big yard with an insvisible fence (fence of some kind required to adopt), good history with our other pets (both cats still alive, and they're very aware that we tried to do everything for Ebony that we could).

Anyway ... wish us luck! We have to pass the inspection and I requested that they bring Oscar with them Monday to see how he reacts to our cats. Kitty-aggression would be a dealbreaker, but we learned today he shared a house with one cat, a St. Bernard, and a Pug before coming to the shelter so hopefully he's pretty well socialized.

~Marrow

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

Will cross my fingers for you! Will have baited breath on Monday night waiting to hear how things went. Tell hubby that it is big high-fives for giving Oscar a chance.

So I was able to talk my husband around to giving Oscar a chance. We dropped off the application today, and the in-home inspection was scheduled for this coming Monday. It's a different person doing the inspection this time than last time, so I hope we're up to snuff. No breakables down low, no houseplants (2 outside that come in for winter, both non-toxic), big yard with an insvisible fence (fence of some kind required to adopt), good history with our other pets (both cats still alive, and they're very aware that we tried to do everything for Ebony that we could).

Anyway ... wish us luck! We have to pass the inspection and I requested that they bring Oscar with them Monday to see how he reacts to our cats. Kitty-aggression would be a dealbreaker, but we learned today he shared a house with one cat, a St. Bernard, and a Pug before coming to the shelter so hopefully he's pretty well socialized.

~Marrow

 

[AKBull]

I second that! Sounds like it could be a good fit.

 

[PuppyPaws]

Sounds like there is real potential here! We will all be anxiously awaiting your update Monday night .

 

[Kandie]

I can't wait to hear about Monday night! Im very glad your husband came around Good luck Marrow

 

[Marrowshard]

Well, the home inspection went great! Shelter owner arrived in a van with Oscar in the back. We took a walk around the property, talked about our neighbors and what kinds of dogs they had. Oscar was very inquisitive (of course) but minded his manners. When we approached the house, I noticed our people-cat Ninja staring at us through the open screen door. It seemed like a good opportunity, so we let Oscar sniff at him through the screen. They snuffled each other for several seconds (no hackles or anything from Oscar) then Ninja suddenly hissed and swatted the screen. Oscar just stepped back and looked at him like "What ...?" We brought him inside and took him on a tour. Ninja kept a close watch but did not approach, and eventually jumped up onto the back of the couch to observe. We even tried purposefully bringing Oscar closer to the couch to see if he'd react. He saw the cat, but didn't seem interested at all in getting close. We gave him a treat which he took VERY daintily, then laid down on the kitchen floor and proceeded to ignore all the humans and cats in the room.

Colleen didn't have any real questions for us, just chatted about his previous owner, things she'd noticed about him at the shelter, etc. In the end, we decided he'd passed all our tests (no "growly" spots when you touch him, solid legs, great skin, soft coat, mostly-clean ears, clear eyes, no obvious aggression, ignores the cats, and takes treats like he's used to being fed by kids) and the shelter owner said we could have him

She offered to let us have an in-home trial first if we wanted it, but we'd seen enough to make up our minds. We can pick him up whenever we're free, so I took the rest of the week off work LOL. Hopefully I can bring him home tomorrow or the day after!

He's seriously weired out by the cow, though. Was an interesting meeting when Oscar first saw the big black-and-white critter past the fence was looking at him. Again, no hackles or growling, just stood very still and stared at him. After a minute or so, he was ready to move on. We've got a heavy-duty barbed wire + electric fence so even if Oscar suddenly went for the cow, he wouldn't get far

I think he'll need a new name though ... "Oscar" doesn't really fit him and we tried calling him by it: nothing. He perks up to a whistle or finger snap, but doesn't seem to know his name yet. In fact, he had a little trouble leaving the house when the visit was done. He wanted to stay on the floor. I whistled to him and held the door open and he finally trotted out. I feel pretty good about that

~Marrow