Am I Too Old To Get Another Dog

5 Key Concerns

With two exceptions, my spouse and I’ve owned at the very least one canine all through our 44 years of marriage. The primary exception was some thirty years in the past after we nonetheless had two cats. The second exception is now.

Our beloved border collie, Skye, crossed over the rainbow bridge this previous summer time and we’re nonetheless reeling in grief. We miss the enjoyment of the greeting we acquired when returning house, no matter whether or not we have been gone 3 hours or 3 weeks. When the fridge ice maker grinds, there’s no ready mouth to catch the one dice that falls exterior the glass. We dote on associates’ new puppies and we nonetheless go the the canine seaside in Jupiter, Florida to get our pet repair. Witnessing the bond between the playful canine and his proprietor touches us and we get to clarify our longing to a sympathetic ear. And we nonetheless have poop baggage and canine treats in varied pants and jacket pockets.

However after residing with out Skye for these 6 months, our reply to the inevitable query we’re requested, “Are you going to get one other canine?” is now a bit much less sure, and we’re a bit extra hesitant to reply.

Our life-style has definitely modified. I felt no guilt escaping from the dreadful Florida climate this previous August and September for what I name our “evacuation trip.” And I definitely don’t miss having to stroll Skye within the rain. However I clearly miss the devotion, companionship, and unconditional love I used to be granted from our canines. Up to now after we’d misplaced a pet, that alone at all times made my reply quite simple.

So what’s modified? The reply is “my age.” I’m 74 years outdated now. Any canine we get will possible dwell 12 to fifteen years, making me virtually 90 years outdated. In order the title of this text says, “Am I too outdated to get one other canine?” Listed below are some issues I’ve as I age.

1. Am I too outdated? I fear that I gained’t have the ability to do all of the issues I must do to boost a wholesome and devoted companion. I can barely bend down now so the concept of pooper scooping 10 years from now isn’t a small concern. Will I’ve the power to coach the brand new member of our household? I’m used to a very educated companion whom I may completely belief to remain by my aspect, even and not using a fence. Is it reasonable for me to tackle a younger pup and anticipate that she’ll be as straightforward as Skye was? And what if we get a unique breed, a canine who’s not as trainable as a border collie? Or we get an older canine whose already educated however now must be re-homed.
2. What about my well being? Aside from orthopedic points I don’t actually have any medical issues. However what about tomorrow? May the proverbial bus hit me, leaving the care of a younger canine with my spouse who’s additionally “of an age”? Or worse but, with a stranger?
3. What if I get critically unwell or die earlier than the canine? Once we misplaced Skye I consoled myself with the information that I may cope with the grief higher than she may. However we’ve all heard tales about canines whose house owners died and the canine grieved a lot they wouldn’t depart the gravesite. Skye would have been devastated. For a few years we have been a crew. She’d be damaged. I’d really feel immeasurable guilt realizing the ache I’d precipitated her. I’m certain I’d really feel the identical about one other canine.
4. What about our journey and different life-style actions? Once we first adopted Skye, and all through her life, she had a nanny who liked her as a lot as we did. We’d deliver Skye and her brother to the nanny realizing that they have been protected and thrilled to be there. May we discover another person who cares as a lot for our new pup as we do? If not, how scaled again should we be? As retirees now we have virtually no different obligations and have made journeys away from our canines for so long as 4 weeks, an eternity for a canine. How lengthy will it take earlier than we may discover somebody who’d tackle that duty for therefore lengthy? Would we resent the truth that we’d by no means have the ability to go away for a month or longer with out bringing the canine? If we will’t depart her for an extended interval, it means we’d need to take her with us. Nicely, as I wrote in my article, “Why I’m Thinking About Handing Over My Car Keys,” I’m not notably thrilled with the notion of creating highway journeys. And what about flying? There’s zero probability I’d take into account placing a canine on a business airplane as baggage.
5. What about contemplating a unique breed? To have the ability to fly within the cabin of a aircraft, a canine must be small. Is that the type of canine I’d be pleased with? Does this match with my imaginative and prescient of a canine frolicking on the seaside? Can I be happy with a smaller canine? For over 20 years I’ve had solely border collies. My identification is tied to that breed (I like saying I’m glad having a canine that’s smarter than me).

I don’t have the solutions. These are all issues that I feel many people have or will face. A couple of years in the past, when my spouse and I purchased a brand new mattress, we joked that it could be the final mattress we purchase. Once we transformed our present house we stated this was going to be our “endlessly house.” Can I say that Skye was the final canine I’d ever personal? No, undoubtedly not. I like being with canines an excessive amount of to spend the remainder of my life lacking that a part of me. Defining the issue is claimed to be step one in arising with an answer. So now on to step 2.