AJC > Sandy Springs > Blog > Archives > 2008 > June > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAdding a third pet is risky business
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After close to five months as a two-dog household we’re thinking of adding another to the mix
We lost Molly Christmas Eve to cancer and it’s been just Jake and Sydney ever since. We haven’t really obsessed over adding another to the mix but of late it’s been on our minds.
At this writing we have a dog from foster care in our home for a day or two to see how everyone gets along. My wife found him at a rescue Web site. He was not the first dog we brought home.
The initial foray into this canine test-drive was a pup name Marmaduke (not his real name for reasons that will become apparent). Marmaduke was an okay dog with lots of energy but three puddles left around the house and he was allowed to explore other options.
So now we have Woodrow (also not his real name). So far so good. He gets along with Jake and Sydney and so far the house is as dry as it was when he arrived for his visit.
Adding a third dog is tricky business. Jake and Sydney - with very rare exceptions - take care of their personal digestive housekeeping outside. At night they have the run of the house where Sydney prefers the living room rug while Jake snoozes outside the bedroom door. When we leave town they share the same accommodations at the kennel.
They don’t have to be watched every minute to make sure they don’t chew on the rugs or jump on the sofa. They are reasonably low maintenance. Any dog that joins this crew doesn’t exactly have a hard act to follow, but we do enjoy waking to the house the way we left it the night before.
But there is also this. Our dogs are family. We are accustomed to their quirks and moods. We know their routine and they know ours. This doesn’t mean a new dog can’t find their place but this isn’t a choice we make lightly.
And a new dog would not replace Molly. A new dog cannot be Molly and shouldn¿ ¿t have to be. The ache in my heart where Molly’s absence resides is more than any dog should be expected to fill.
But Woodrow is making a strong case to stay, though right now he’s snoozing in the other room while the NBA Finals play out on TV. By the this appears we will have made our decision.
To be Continued….
For more pet stories, blogs and photos, check out ajcpets.com.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Jim Osterman
Comments
By pet dish
June 23, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
So, Jim, you brought home a puppy, did absolutely nothing to try and housebreak it, then dumped it after it went in your house three times? A dog I adopted three months ago went in my house three times Saturday. But I understand that it was my fault, not the dogs’ fault. But let me give you one piece of advice from someone who’s had a number of dogs: if you now have a dog that you just dumped in your household, with no training and no supervision, and it hasn’t destroyed anything or gone potty anywhere it shouldn’t, hold onto it. Because you won’t find many like that. And for those of you who actually understand that most pets need to be housetrained, check out some of the advice on ajcpets.com.
By junk junky
June 23, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
I’ve been told my above post is mean, so let me give it some perspective. As someone who deals with county shelters and the rescue community all the time, I know how often pets are dumped at shelters or with rescue groups because the PEOPLE didn’t do what they should have done. So if I was mean, it was a level of frustration at seeing the animals suffer. So many nice animals are killed every year in the metro area (estimates are about 80,000 a year just in the metro Atlanta.) And they aren’t there because there’s anything wrong with them. Most of them are there because the person who took them didn’t try to train them. We don’t expect our children to become potty trained on their own. We don’t expect them to just know not to leave the yard, or not to destroy things. Why do we expect it of our pets? So Jim, if I was mean, I’m sorry. It was frustration at seeing situations like yours every day. Sure, it would be wonderful if every pet walked in the door trained. But not many do. Just like not many children do. Can we give them a little patience? A little love? And a little training? Even just a small percentage of what we give our kids and you’ll have a great pet.
By sniffydogs
June 23, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Being a rescue director, I have a little different perspective. Even completely housebroken dogs can make mistakes in a new environment. Expecting a puppy to be completely housebroken and not chew is unrealistic. Some dogs need a crate training refresher course. An adult dog might be a better choice than a pup.
Rescued dogs are usually not perfect, no do is. We expect adopters to work with the dog. Obedience training is always suggested. Instead we get people like you that are shopping. If the animal doesn’t work out, it gets returned like some Christmas gift that’s the wrong size. Good luck! I’m sure your name will be on a DNA (Do Not Adopt) Blacklist real soon.
By Jim Osterman
June 23, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
Folks:
Let me offer info left out due to space limitations from the original post.
We are working with a no-kill rescue group that encourages bringing a dog in on a trial basis. The first pup is in a great home where he will remain until he is adopted.
BTW — Jake (with me 10 years now) was adopted a few days shy of his being euthanized and he wasn’t getting a lot of folks wanting him. After adoption he needed and received a great deal of training because he had some aggression problems — which was why he was up for adoption. At no time did I considering taking him back.
Peace out….
By pet dish
June 24, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Jim, if that’s the case, then I’m sorry I misjudged you. But your post reflected none of the fact that you’re willing to work with a dog. I appreciate anyone who takes in rescue animals and gives them a good home. Rescue pets have no more problems then purebreds. And all animals take work.
By Ben
June 24, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
pet dish
If you have read Jim’s post previously you will see he is a poor journalist and a self important and clueless a$$. I accidentally stopped by here today because of the topic (I am a dog lover). Once I realized I was on “Senior McPasty’s” blog I knew I was in for ignorant comments. I was on the way off the page when I saw your comments…Kudos for he work you do and for future reference avoid this blog at all cost!!!
By Jim Osterman
June 25, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
Terri:
Thanks for reading the blog and checking in. I will pass your hello to brother Tom, though he may see it as he comments from time to time.
Sadly Mona has not been with us since 1976, but her memory is always in my heart.
God bless….
By Terri Kilgore
June 25, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Jim, I am so very sorry to hear about Mona. She was a great girl. I will keep her and your entire family in my thoughts and prayers. I try to keep up with what is going on in Sandy Springs,but, sadley have lost touch with a lot of folks. I am sorry for bringing up sad and painful memory’s.
God Bless you and your family. Terri
By Terri Sumpter Kilgore
June 26, 2008 2:09 AM | Link to this
Get the third pet.