Monday, January 26, 2009

Decisions, Decisions…Baby or Not?

To many, adding a puppy to the family simply means finding a name like “Spot,” getting a couple of dog bowls and prepping some spot to keep the furry creature away from your good furniture. For others, it means having a new member of the family and the weight of that responsibility can be a bit daunting. Shucks, Busta will be 10-years old on May 5th and I still remember the day he became my baby. A robust Miniature Schnauzer, Busta does not appear to be an older guy and is as active as the day he arrived home. As I consider adding another baby to my household, I’m pondering a couple of things: First, the added responsibility. Dogs are not some entity that can just be put aside when you’re not feeling them. They require lots of attention and affection; not to mention money. Second, I’m a spontaneous kind-of guy and Busta has learned to adjust to my mood swings as well as my going on vacation and leaving him with his aunt or play-aunts. This is especially acceptable since everyone loves Busta and he’s fairly small at 13 pounds. The new kid under consideration is a Weimaraner. For those of you who are not dog lovers, Weims are hunting dogs and are known to be high-energy dogs. I specifically chose the breed so that I have a guy for morning runs and quite honestly, I hate a carbon copy of what everyone else has – even when it comes to dogs. The new little guy is presently 11 weeks and is already heavier than Busta at 20 pounds. I’ve been thorough in my research of the breed and how he would fit into my family. BD and the Minnie are not really dog people and my love for dogs is sort-of that eye-sore, pin-prick flaw that they find hard to turn a blind-eye to. All said, I love my boys and am weighing everything before making a final decision.

On Blast
From lowering blood pressure, to cutting the possibility of depression in half, dogs present magnificent benefits to life and health, but there is a dark side to dog ownership. Tell of your experience(s) with dog ownership.

Keep passin’ the open windows…

14 comments:

Mr. Jones said...

My first (and only) dog was a gift from an ex. He was great and all, but he just didnt fit into my life, so we had to part ways. At the moment, he's living with about 12 other dogs on a huge farm about 50 miles west of Baltimore. He loves it.

I miss him sometimes.

bLaQ~n~MiLD said...

I don't do dogs. They annoy me. Personally I like cats cause they just look at you, pay it and keep it movin. My typa animal. LoL.

~Damnit!

Achilles said...

Though we're not "dog people" per se, I do think it'll be good for us. We've gotten so used to having Busta around: taking him for walks, feeding with him, playing with him, I think a new baby in the house would be a good thing. This way Junior (aka 'the Mini') would be able to grow up with him and ultimately (hopefully) conquer his fear of dogs.
My fear is slowly dissipating.

I know it started when I was younger (around 5 or 6) my cousins used to sic their dog on me and terrorize me every chance they got (the bastards!) Karma is a beeyotch...those same cousins, today don't have a steady job, a pot to piss in and missing the majority of their teeth...(Oops did I say that?)
Anyway it's taken me a while, but I could definitely go for a new dog. There's enough love to go around.

Anonymous said...

Did I ever tell you about Regan the Irish Setter? My Dad brought her home from a cross country trip...she lived up to her name and played every bit of the role in tearing what little furniture my mother had UP.

I wept uncontrollably the day my Mom gave her to a super across Devoe Park.

I dont know about the breed you chose. Unless you are moving into a house. Kind of confining to keep a big dog in an apartment.. he is pretty though. Then again, Bus needs a LOT of attention in his twilight years.

This is a rough one...animal lovers that we are...

Nobody not really... said...

You know I just got Charlie in November. The crying nights were a pain. The pissing on my floor was ridiculous. But waking up to her licking my face (especially when I know I left her in the cage the night before) is adorable. Running with her around the neighborhood is a joy! She can be a handful at times, but I doubt I ever made a better decision.

Dana said...

I would love to get my 4 year old son a dog, but im sure i'll be the only one to give it ALL thats required. Do you have any suggestions for a boy friendly dog. I always hear that Golden Retrievers are a good choice but still not sure. Its either have another baby or get a dog...and um...i prefer to go for the latter.

Ian said...

I am SOOO not a dog person, but I understand the value of having a companion around. I don't know what I'd do without my two bratty-cats around.

With that said, when my ex-wife adopted a greyhound a few years back, I thought my attitude would change towards canines, but worsened.

That damn dog, the "devil dog," constantly barks (which I didn't think Greyhounds did), is hyper as hell, and is begging for food 24/7! Ugh! No patience.

My cats give me the flexibility to come and go, and give me attention just when I need it. However, your little photo almost (ALMOST) makes me wanna adopt a dog after Giblet and Itchy pass on...hopefully not for a long while though! At 7 and 10, I expect around for at least another 10 more years. They're both indoor cats.

"PA"

Anonymous said...

I think it is a great idea to have two dogs. Getting a second one right now may even extend Busta's life a couple of years if they get along.

I have two cockerspaniels, a brother and sister from the same litter. Their names are Gracy and Griffen. They have two totally different personalities. Though they eat the same amount of food the girl has weight issues and the boy is as skinny as he wants to be. She is laid back and chill while he bounces off the walls at all hours of the day. The best part is that they compliment each other so well and I don't know what I would do without either one of them!

That Dude Right There said...

I haven't had a dog since I was 15 years old. And my dog got hit by a car and had to be put to sleep (and not by a vet).

Troy N. said...

my dog got hit by a car too many moons ago, shocked me into, well anyway.....But on another note I just found out Tylenol and not Advil is good for headaches if you have high blood pressure; all those years I was taking Advil, what was I thinking?! I might get another dog, maybe..

Ty said...

Well let me know if you want a long haired Daschund or a Yorkshire Terrier I know a couple of breeders. BTW, I love the dog in the picture.

Unknown said...

Jonesy...I'm mad at you (twice)...you know that dog is at a puppy mill... Boy, sadly, I laughed.

B&M...tho cats are the adults of the pet kingdom, dogs are the loyal worshippers...they have all the qualities we wish for in a partner - well, minus the hair

BD...thank you for always being supportive...even when I know it's not 'your thing'

Cas...you never told me about no darn Irish Setter...LOL...well, I'll be glad when you can add a pup to your kitty household...you know we're the original Animal Precinct (sp)

NNR...Charlie must be growing up quickly...maybe we can hook a date up in about a year for a play date...Bruce promises to be a gentleman

Dana...My first-born Busta is proof that Miniature Schnauzers are the smartest most robust dogs I know. Your son would love them and they would be around well after he's off to school

Dark/Pa...get a dog now...they make all the difference!

Kenny...Post pics! We want to see your babies! You really helped me believe I can manage two of 'em

TDRT...you kidding? put down and not by a vet? LOL I hate that I even laughed at that...hard!

Hey Ty...I love hot dogs and think Yorkies are cute (if I was a waif)...I'm going to be posting pics of Bruce with Busta soon...he's just as beautiful as the stand-in I used

Leon1234 said...

Hey, how are you doing? Hope all is well. Cool blog you have here.

ShawnQt said...

Well Chilli is what I call a Prissy Terror! LOL. She swears she is human, refuses to go to the bathroom outside, sleeps in the bed, and prefers to be warm and comfortable then to be barking and being a dog.

The joy that she is small, doesn't shed, doesn't bark often, and is friendly to everyone is a plus!

Yet she did go through stages of not going to the bathroom where needed, chewing up cords, my pillow, my glasses and my prized action figures! Only during those times do she not get love from m e. but I love her like my own, and overall she is great company, and quite funny.