I have had 2-3 dogs since my kids were small. My older dog arrived as a baby puppy 6 years ago when my boys were seniors in high school and college. I had 2 elderly dogs at the time, since passed. My second dog is now nearly 4. I have had him since he was a bit over a year old.
Both my dogs are my agility partners. With my 6 year old champion level agility dog (in the avatar) approaching retirement – due to an illness 3 years ago which is shortening her competitive life – I think I am just about ready for a new puppy!
I have two soft coated wheaten terriers. One is nine and the other is a one year old that we added when my empty nest syndrome really took hold. I adore him! He brings so much joy to my life whether it is excitement at my return or a loving snuggle when I need a quick hug.
Last year, I also lost our older wheaten, but this new puppy brought new life into our home! Can’t recommend it enough for those who love pets and don’t mind the care that it takes to have one.
My puppy filled my empty nest when our S went away to college. My old dog had died a couple of years before and I couldn’t take dog-lessness and son-lessness at the same time. So I got our puppy. She’s a sheltie and looks very much like yours, @cnp55. My “puppy” is now 10 and I don’t know what I’d do without her companionship.
I’ve told the family I am trying to learn to be like her. When I let her out, she’s thrilled to be outside. When I let her back in the house, she just couldn’t be happier to be back inside. That’s the philosophy I’m trying to adopt: Be happy where I am.
When our D was a senior she said she wondered, since I got my dog when my S left home, what was I going to get when she went away to college. I told her she was worth at least a hamster…
