This past Christmas we got a new lab for the kids, after losing our 15 YO black lab/golden mix last summer. House was very quite without our Maxine for the approximate 6 months.

We got our new pup from www.labs4rescue.com. They take unwanted labs from the deep south (apparently there is extensive overbreeding for hunting), and redistribute them for only the cost of having the dog spade or neutered and shots, and a $25 shipping cost. All in all, we got a very nice chocolate lab (no papers, but I don't care about that kind of stuff), for under $200.... The place is run by all volunteers, except for the transportation. They have a van that runs up the east coast 2x a month. Actually have people come to your house to interview you, to make sure you are really intent on keeping the dog, and not looking to resell it.

JimB -

As for the question about more than one....

We got 2 GoldenDoodles just about 2 yrs ago now. We really struggled with whether to get one or two.

Can't be happier that we did the two. Although a bit more work on the housebreaking front, they are just about unseparable.

They are calmer in the house than I have experienced with one, they don't seem to get bored as easily as they have each other.

They really look out for one another it seems.

Love having the two and feel better about them have each other as well.

Broke all 'rules' as they are not only litter-mates but both male. We have not had any negative issues with that.

First dogs for my wife - totally in love with them.

The pain of loss is huge having gone through it, but I guess the phrase 'better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all' works here.

Pets give us all so much, which is why it hurts so much I suppose when we lose them.

the 'get 2 Rule' worked with our bulldog/boxer combo in that they are inseperable and keep each other entertained all day long,
it did not work with the pugs, they are also inseperable but now just require twice as much attention from us adults,
luckily we have plenty of love, time, and attention to give our pack ,
me and Willie:

wow, seems as though I struck a nerve....with ME!! I came back to this thread just now and both me and the admiral started thinking about our Ava and of course are now crying while we talk about her and the memories we have of her... ALL good, even the day Jill had to make that decision while I was away.
The vet called and told her about Ava's condition - cancerous tumor in her stomach which was beyond help and Jill went down to be with her one last time. She stayed with her the whole time until Ava took her last breath. something I think is incredibly strong.
Ava used to sit with us when we were sick, when Jill was preggers, and when the first mate came home she was MORE then accepting, even protective.
we have decided that the time is coming and we want to get another companion for our family.

WD: we are not very far from Hastings, in fact only about 30 minute drive and we will probably be going there soon enough.
I want to thank you again for all your insight and guidance during our decision making. it meant and still means the world to us that you were there to talk to during that time.

We have thought about getting a dog however...Jill wants to get one like Fat Dog has..a bulldog which is FINE with me cuz I think they are cool, but alas, she is ALLERGIC to dogs and wont heed my warnings about that!!! hehhe

in any case, we will probably get two cats and will start by looking at the Ark in Hastings..

keep posting people, it makes my heart warm to know that all of us share the same compassion...

Brady, condolences to you and Jill and your family. We are one great big pack with 4 cats and two dogs and my daughter's cat has cancer in his intestine. Poor guy. He's not too long for this world, but he's sure getting a lot of attention in the interim. I read that cancer is a very common "ailment" in cats. Wierd that cats should have such a prevelance of that disease. I wonder why that is.

Bowline, I am sorry to hear. condolences to you and yours as well. I read the same thing about it being "common".

As far as I can tell cancer is becoming more common everywhere.

When your pets get shots, you should request they be given in the leg. Often times the area they give shots, usually with cats the shoulder, becomes a cancer hot spot. The leg can be amputated if need be. At least that's what my vet says. Unfortunetly we lost a cat and a dog to cancerous tumors in the shoulder.

Cancer is the Devil.

RIP Vicky, My wife, lost to cancer in 04

RIP Chico, our dog, lost to cancer in o5

RIP Bud, our cat, lost to cancer in 07

and thats the truth!!

Andyk2, my sincere condolences, yes it is the Devil

Andy, my prayers and condoloences go out to you for your losses. My family has been hit by cancer alot in the past few years and it is no fun. I lost my father in law (fishing partner), my wifes uncle, my dog, Buddy, my best friend at work is being treated for prostate cancer and my brother has lymphoma (the same thing Buddy had). I'm sure everyone knows someone or has a family member who's been touched in some way by cancer, doctors are getting better at treating it but it looks like a cure is still very far away. Until then I say we just live today like theres no tomorrow (within reason of course!).

Thanks all and my sympathies to all who have suffered loses as well. Oh the positive side, my mom is a two time cancer survivor so it's not always a death sentence.

MM, I encourage you to send this link to your brother, lots of good info on lymphoma (my wife had T-Cell Lymphoma)

www.LLS.ORG

My oldest did their marathon training and raised $4000.00 for them last year running a marathon in SD.

By the way, my wife was from NE PA also, Sayre, near Elmira NY.

It is always tough when you lose a pet, especially when it is a special one. My condolences to bradyf, andy, and others who have lost a pet.

As for the waiting period, we have tried different ones. The longest has been a year, and I will never do that again. Our reasons were good, but looking back, it was not a pleasant time for me. The quickest was the same week, which happened when we lost a dog unexpectedly and were devastated. That was probably too quick, as we did not really have time to grieve over her death.

Our dogs have been adopted and purchased through breeders. My personal preference is to adopt unless you have a good reason not to. There are so many fine animals out there in need of a loving home. Sometimes they need extra attention and patience, but you have to remind yourself that they had no choice over their first "home". Many of my favorite pets have come through shelters.

That said, we now have three purebred dogs. My youngest is alergic to dogs, so we have two toy poodles and we chose to buy after a long look through shelters for a non-shedding dog that we felt was right for our family. Our third dog is a rottweiler, and this is the one that we waited a year to replace. Having had rottweilers for 20 years, it was too difficult for me to go without one -- the poodles just didn't meet my needs. Luckily, my daughter has just about completed her alergy shots, and after talking at length with her alergist, we decided that we can make it work with another large dog.

I don't want to derail this thread, so I am going to start a thread on first aid kits to bring on your boat. I was with cattailspa when Lucy got stung, and this threat reminded me that we need to have a kit for our dogs in addition to the one for people.

Thanks for the link Andy, we've "been there done that" It is full of good info.

On a lighter note, we brought the new puppy up to the lake this past weekend and she loved it!
I have a question though, How old shopuld she be before we let her swim in the lake? I'm worried about straining her muscles and possibly infectious didease from the water.
What do you guys think?

http://www.boatingabc.com/photos/data/500/Lilly_and_ball.jpg

Here she is, I finally figured out how to resize photos on my new computer