Cross Breeds

Is it too soon for another dog? (strictly opinion)?

Some background. My boyfriend and I adopted a collie (2.5 yrs old) who was always with another dog, so we decided to adopt another. I found a 9 month old border collie (my boyfriends favorite breed) and we adopted him. They were best friends, always playing with each other, sleeping next to each other, etc. We have had our collie since June '09 and we got our border collie in August '09. We recently lost our border collie to an accident. For a dog who never went into the road or chased cars, its ironic that this is how we lost him. He was only a little over a year old :( We miss him dearly. Wade (the boyfriend) says things that make me think about the situation. For example, "the house is really quiet" "i dont have anything to do". He hardly plays his games with his friends anymore and instead he cleans his house. This is a major thing... he also folds his laundry as soon as its done... somethings wrong with this picture. Another thing is our collie, she doesn't want to play with us anymore and tries getting out of the kennel all day. Wade has been taking her to his parents during the day so she isnt alone and she just lays and sleeps all day. There are other small things that happen, like coming home to a quiet house, no excited puppy to great us. And I used to take him to classes, first it was obedience and we were in agility, but we didn't get to finish because of the accident. Wade used to race up the stairs trying to beat him and there were times he'd just wait till he wasn't paying attention then take off up the stairs, he still lost. I'm a lab person, but I must admit, I've been bitten by the border collie bug. He was the smartest, fastest learning dog ever. He was 9 months when we got him and for all the time before we got him, he was tethered in a bag yard and played fetch with some times during the week. He didn't know anything about sit, stay, wait, play dead. I miss teaching a dog (our collie is 'prissy' and just like shaking) and running with him and doing agility. He would also never leave us alone, he just loved attention and always gave puppy eyes with his head on your lap. Sorry for the run on. Anyway, we had him 4 months and he passed away on Nov. 28th. This is strictly an opinion question due to how individuals feel, their dedication, and their relationships to dogs/pets. Do you think it is too soon to get another? I was just thinking of getting Wade one for his birthday (dec. 24) and Christmas. Update: Wade actually ended up asking me when we were getting another dog. He said he wanted one now. The next day I just told him my plan of buying him one for his birthday/Christmas. (by the way I would have, if I would have went and got one on my own, had the dog by this weekend and we don't have the Christmas celebration at our house. So no real stress would have been put on them). I showed him the dogs I was looking at for him, went and looked, and we brought one home. Hes four months old, traditional black and white. Now we are trying to decide on a name... but I think its going to be Riley/Ryley. Clarification, our last dog wasnt hit from running off, he was hit when he was called home by my boyfriend. I prefer our dogs to be able to run around when one of us is out with them and not be confined or tethered all day. Accidents happen. Also, we know no dog will be the same. They all differ in dispositions and personalities.

Public Comments

1. Nope it is not too soon.
2. I dont think it is too soon. if he gets a new dog, he will forget the old one and love the new. A dog is a mans best friend, remember?
3. It depends how you feel, if you think your ready for another dog then go for it. If i was you i wouldn't get the dog as a surprise, although you may be ready for a new dog in your life your boyfriend might not. Ask him and see where it goes. Good luck and sorry about your dog.
4. For this situation, No I don't think its too soon, its sounds as though your house is going to always be a 2dog house. But sinse your boyfriend sounds a little more effected by the accident and what not, I think you should let him pick out a puppy/dog.
5. I don't think it is too soon, although you might want to rethink Christmas. That's a bad time for puppies and kittens. Your boyfriend is grieving and so is your collie...as well as you. Another dog won't be the same, you know that, don't you? However, take your boyfriend to see some puppies and see what his reaction is. Then take it from there. I know how he feels, life without a dog is no life (I always say that but it's true) and there is always room for another dog in your life. Good luck and enjoy your collie. She needs a lot of attention right now.
6. No if your ready for one then get a new one. It's a different answer for different people. Some can get a new pet straight away some prefer a little more time. However do bear in mind if it's a birthday present then the Christmas period can be a stressful time for dogs to move, so maybe look at it earlier or after the holiday period. (some places won't rehome in the couple fo weeks around christmas anyway.).
7. It is not too soon, in my opinion. The love of a new friend can help heal a broken heart. Best wishes to you all.
8. I do not think it is to soon, but I do think a puppy for christmas is a bad idea. I would let your boyfriend be involved in picking it out. He has to bond with it also. Plus, the holidays are very hectic, it is better to wait until the chaos is over. I do hope you iwll rethink letting a dog run loose. It only takes a second. Even the best trained dogs can run into the street in an instant.....