Friday, September 12, 2014

Is It Better To Have 2 Dogs?

   Is it better to have two dogs?  This is a question that many people ponder at one time or the other.  It is always a personal decision based on your time, space, and if you can afford another mouth to feed.  This is not a decision to make lightly or impulsively.  We are going to be a one-dog home when Pierre moves home.  I know that Bentley is going to miss him as much or more than we will.  They are buddies.  My first impulse is “SQUEEEAL!!  Let’s get a new Basset Hound puppy…a little girl that I can dress in cute clothes.”  Sometimes, it is best to make a list of pros and cons of a two-dog family.

Pro: Two dogs can play together and keep each other company.
Con: Two dogs can get into twice the mischief.
Pro: Double the doggy love.
Con: Double the doggy poo.
Pro: Twice the dog guards.
Con: Twice the barking
Pro: Walks are more fun with a friend.
Con: Friends become tangled in each other’s leash, then wrap around you.
Pro: It is very impressive to have two obedient dogs.
Con: It is very embarrassing to have two disobedient dogs.
Pro: Cars have windows on both sides, so each dog can look out.
Con: You have two dogs that recognize the vet’s office when you pull into the parking lot.
Pro: Some veterinarian offices give you a discount for a second pet.
Con: Second set of vaccines, heartworm medicine, and healthcare.
Pro: Double snuggles, belly rubs, and kisses
Con: Snuggles, belly rubs, and kisses MUST be given at the same time with the same
intensity.
Pro: An older dog can teach a younger dog the ways of the canine world.
Con: Young dogs pick up bad habits too.
Pro: Two dogs are just fun, funny, and worth the cons.
   You can tell it is a pretty even debate, but I think a second dog is just a must-have for us.  It won’t be right away, but we will add to our family.  I am trying to be reasonable and patient.  I am an adult and that’s what I’m supposed to do, but SQUEEEAL, a little girl Basset Hound in pink footie pajamas?  Can’t you just see her?





46 comments :

  1. Squeal!! Pink footed Jammies! Oh My! We love being a two dog family! It was very difficult when we lost our Big Guy...but easier on the wallet. I would love to adopt another bichon...husband says no way😕

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    1. It is easier to have just one, but two are twice as much fun. ☺

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  2. More than one is fun! But all your "cons" are true as well . . . but just think, we don't have to send them to college, they don't stay out all night and cause the cops to knock on your door at 3am - and they don't get the neighbor's kid pregnant - of course, that is if you have neutered like you should! And tell hubby you need another bichon - every child needs a little sister or brother!

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    1. Yes, in the long run, they are less stressful than children...usually! BOL! ☺

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  3. I think it all boils down to the personality of the dog. If he loves company and loves to play, then absolutely. But some pets feel much better when alone (my former cat bloomed when he was alone).

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    1. I thought Bentley would like being an only dog, but he was thrilled when Pierre came to stay with us after we lost our Golden.

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  4. Dogs are pack/social animals and we have always believed they are always better when they have a buddy. Mom has even been on the hunt to find us a new brother or sister but we are doing our best to persuade her that two is enough :)

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    1. Y'all were very cute puppies! It is always so tempting to add one more.

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  5. We agree but after the loss of Ancient Pip at the end of last year we just don't feel able to have another and I am doing OK on my own as long as I have my park friends. It really all depends on many things doesn't it? Have a fabulous Friday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  6. Hi Y'all!

    Oh my Humans used to have 2 of us. One became my Human Papa's close friend and the Flatcoat bonded closest to my Human Mama. Me? After spending the first 14months of life in a large 8 dog family, I'm happy to have the attentions of both Humans.

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  7. Oh it is a toughie...and it has to be a personal choice indeed..when we say goodbye to our boys.and as older dogs that is a reality we get nearer all the time...we will not have a doggie for quite awhile..when the time is right we will adopt a senior rescue dog..just one..we too are getting older and feel it is the wisest decision..to foster kittens when our girls leave us and give a senior pup a good end to their older years..if we lose one of our boys now the other would not tolerate another doggie..but squeee pink jammies hahaahahah :) loves Fozziemum xx

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  8. Mom says two dogs is ideal. Three is really a bit much, maybe because we are all bigger dogs, but you can't go anywhere with three, it is just too hard, but with two, one in each hand it is manageable. We have no regrets about having three of us, but Mom thinks two is the best number. One is almost boring after you have adjusted to two!

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    1. I agree! I've had three temporarily with fosters and as a single person, it is hard. Two is just right!

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  9. of course I can see her! It seems that I'm the only child in my crib, but maybe sometimes I will get a fursibling...

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    1. My mom is more excited than I am, because I know that a new puppy will pull my ears! ☺

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  10. How about three or four? ;) I love having multiple dogs, but it can get stressful at times with the young ones getting into everything. I loved having Norman around I didn't have to worry about him. Nellie is taking over that position but man I have to keep my eyeballs on the two young ones.

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    1. I tend to forget how much trouble a little one gets into each waking minute of the day! BOL!

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  11. That's a great question. I often wonder if having two pigs would ease up the pressure on me to be Cocco's "everything." Not sure I could take two of Cocco though ;-)

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    1. Oh that sounds like fun! Two little piggies ♥♥

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  12. Hmmm, Ma seems to go through that same Pros and Cons list every once in a while. But for right now, our house can really only have one dog. I hope someday I will get a sibling though!
    Oz

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    1. Bentley really enjoys Pierre 98% of the time. BOL!

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  13. If the dogs are a good match, nothing is more rewarding than two dogs! Nola and Pike have an incredible relationship, and I haven't had a single issue. They balance each other out beautifully.

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    1. We haven't had trouble with multiple dogs either. I think a single dog just gets lonely for another companion.

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  14. Your absolutely right, it is a personal choice!
    I love having multiple dogs, and they keep each other company, and loving having each other around, so I think for my situation, it works well.
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  15. Two dogs are a must, in my opinion :) Definitely not the right choice for every one, but I think we will always have multiple dogs!

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    1. If you have the room, time, and can afford more than one, it sure is fun!

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    2. That's so true! We have two small dogs because there is plenty of space, they are affordable to feed and we can give each dog enough exercise.

      We couldn't commit to having two large/energetic dogs because we'd never have enough time to exercise them!

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  16. I didn't realize Pierre wasn't yours! I just can't wait for a Basset puppy on the Bayou!

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    1. Pierre is our "granddog." He is my daughter's dog, but she lives in Alaska and no dogs are allowed at their place. Her hubby is military and they are getting relocated soon. Pierre will go live back with them. This will make a new Basset puppy a necessity...right?☺

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  17. OUR thoughts on a two dog home:
    F.F. ONE IS ENOUGH
    E. TWO is PERFECT

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    1. You two boys are a perfect match for each other! ♥

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  18. Mom says if there are 2 laps in the house then 2 dogs are required.

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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    1. Your mom is a very wise woman! That makes perfect sense!

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  19. Well, if you know me, then you know that I think the more dogs the better! But I have been told that a 5th dog will not happen.

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  20. Momma has often said she would LOVE to get me a little fursibling...a sister! Another mini-poodle, preferably. However right now it's just not possible at all for a variety of no-fun reasons. Oh well...she promises one day someday!

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  21. We have four, so I can attest to things being difficult and expensive, but personally I wouldn't change it for the world. Like you said it depends on your situation and available time.

    For us, four is our limit, our cars can't hold any more than that, between Kevin and I we only have four hands but splitters make life much easier when Kevin or I have to pull double duty and walk all four solo, dog food can be expensive, but if you have a good quality food the amount you need to feed is easier to manage, vet bills can be a pain to manage, but teaching them to be okay with the vet is easier with more (take all of them in even if you only need one to go, it teaches the dogs that they don't always get handled or poked a the vet), and you are never lonely!

    ps sorry if this posts numerous times, google is acting funny for me.

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    1. I have been seeing the splinter leashes on different blogs and they look great!

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  22. Oh yes, jammies!!! That is exciting that you will get a second after Pierre has gone (I hope he will still be visiting?). Our first dog was just one, and when we lost her it was devastating and the house was way too quiet. We got another single dog, but then a family member was looking to re-home their beagle and that's when we got a second. It was the best thing we ever did. I think we went overboard going up to 4; I still haven't decided if 2 or 3 is the right number, but I don't think we'll ever go back to having just one.
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  23. That is a great debate… I love it when Rocco's pals come stay with us, but then it's also nice to have him to myself. Either way a new dog in your household would be so exciting. I do love training a new pup! Even though it takes a lot of time (and lack of sleep) there's nothing quite like a new puppy!

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  24. Four dogs are four times the fun...and the trouble, and all the rest.

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  25. I knew we were going to get a second dog as soon as we brought Chowski home as a puppy! We had to wait though because we were in a rental and shared the home with two other people.

    We've been in our new house for about three months and we got Chowski a little sister about a month ago. She is a Miniature Pinscher and so very adorable and cuddly. A completely different personality to Chow.

    My partner and I are so happy with a second dog because we each have a dog to cuddle on the sofa and to walk. Not only that, I feel much better that Chow has someone to keep him company at home when we are at work.

    It most definitely is twice the mischief BUT I wouldn't have it any other way! Haha. Love your pros and cons list :)

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  26. Double the love and double the cuddles sounds good to me!

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  27. It is such an even debate! Personally, I will always have more than one dog. I simply prefer it that way. As long as it makes the dogs, myself, and my husband happier, that's all we care about :)

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