I need some help guys

[slim86]

My wife and I have been married for 10 months now. We decided that we would adopt a dog when we got out house. Well, we went down to the shelter and we couldn't decide on a dog. We just got onto a big fight because she wanted one of the little dogs and I wanted one of the lager dogs. On the way home we got to talking about it and we decided that we both liked the way German Shepherds looked and that maybe we would get one. After reading a book about them I went and found a good breeder and got an awesome dog with good German lines for a good price. He has been the best dog. We also decided that we would adopt an adult dog when our GSD was grown.

Now Viggo (the GSD) is grown and my wife isn't really big on adopting another one. This is where you guys come in. I need help convincing her.

We've been taking care of her brothers Presa while he's been on vacation and Viggo is so happy that he has someone to play with all day long. I know he's going to be heart broken when we have to take Samson (the Presa) home. I think Viggo would be so happy with a full time doggy friend.

I also feel a little guilty about buying a dog when I always told myself that I would rescue one. I really want to rescue one so help me out here. I need some good arguments about having two dogs vs. one dog. I've talked to her a little bit about it but she hasn't been very excited about it.

Thanks a lot

Slim

[courtnek]

Dogs are pack animals, instinctively they enjoy each others company.
If your GSD is good natured and you think he would like another dog, I would pack him and the wife up and take them to a shelter. But be honest!!

Who does most of the work with the dog? Walks him, feeds him, takes him to the vet, etc? If it's the wife, then I can understand why she doesnt want another dog. It'll be more work for her.

If not, then maybe at the shelter she'll lose her heart to one of those sad faces that are always peering out at you....

There are tons of websites you can go to that show pictures of dogs needing homes. Maybe start there....Petfinder is a good one cuz it covers the whole country....

Good luck!!

:D

[DogPaddle]

I am also big on adoption but I did buy from a breeder . . . and than adopted him a companion and me my second pup :angel: I do all the care for both dogs. Having one BC was very simple to care for except for his need for constant excercise, mental stimulation and excercise. When I added my Lab/Chow, I found that this demand on me lessened but I had more work with yard cleanup - In a straight trade that sucks (less playing with dog, more picking up poop) but both dogs are very happy and I get double snuggles AND got to give a shelter dog a good home. The only area I still find tricky is outings but then I am one person and you guys are two. I think work wise you will barely notice the difference if you both honestly pitch in. Its good for the dogs and the number of furry snugglers directly match the number of people. Kavik who is not a super affectionate with other dogs would be so lonely without Zaphod. Also if I can teach either one of them something the other is then easier to train because they copy each other. Of course, they also learn interesting new bad behaviours from each other . . . maybe you aught not mention that to your wife. Anyway you could hook her with letting her pick a smaller mutt from the shelter. Shelters rarely have toys or minis around here but they do have BC and Spaniel crosses and such which are in the 25 to 50 lb area and have longer softer coats but are still big enough to play with your GSD. I wouldn't normally go with a dog much smaller though, especially if your pup is playful.

[mouseatthebusstop]

It's not fair! all my (online) friends have got more than one"

I think this is a good one most of us on here have more than one

[behle]

1. Take her where the dogs are. Let her fall in love. It's easy to say NO to a theoretical dog, but nearly impossible to say no when the dog is giving you a big slurpy kiss and obviously wants to come home with her!

2. When you have to travel and leave your dog/dogs behind in someone's care it is easier on them if they have their doggie companion there with them so they don't feel totally abandoned!

3. A dog needs company throughout the day if both of you work. They will be far less stressed out when you leave in the morning if they have canine company, and TWICE AS MUCH HAPPINESS will be exhibited when you arrive back at the den!

4. If your wife provides all the clean-up, care, etc. for your current pooch a notorized promise to assist with these chores might help sway her opinion in favor of that much wanted second dog! :lol: :lol: :lol:

:o K - What's this?

How about bribery?..does your wife want anything quite as much as you want a second dog?...I have Cymmie, Hubby has a stretched/widened Intruder tank!

How can you post something like this and not give us all the info? :o :o

[behle]

Where do you keep a TANK? I dare not let my husband see this....he will want one too! :o Do you have any pictures of the tank? Can you actually drive the tank anywhere? Have you been inside the tank? You must have had some interesting negotiating sessions while you were on the quest for Cymmie! :lol: :lol:

:o I wonder.......? Could you use the tank for dog rescue? Bad owners would scatter if they saw you coming for their mistreated pups in a TANK! Sorry, just got a mental image of you rolling along in the tank, head popping out of the hatch, bullhorn in hand, crashing through the gates of a puppy mill operation, yelling SURRENDER THE DOGS or die!!!! The female Rambo of dog rescue!! :chainsaw1: :diablotin: :snipersmile:

[behle]

:rofl: GOOD LORD! I'M A LITTLE MUDDLED THIS MORNING, AREN'T I? :roll: :roll:

But wouldn't it be cool to have a real TANK? If one had the space for it of course..... :oops: :wink:

Thanks for clearing that up.....

Ha! Ha! It would be kind of hard to get inside that tank! Thanks for the picture.. :wink:

[behle]

K - VERRRY NICE! Beautiful lines....I bet it gives a smooth ride... :wink:


**Disclaimer for Behle's previous posts (for those who are newer to Dogomania)**

I cannot be held responsible for anything I may have posted regarding K's husband's tank. You see, it is early where I live and my husband owns a military truck and it is POSSIBLE to purchase military tanks (with the armaments stripped off, of course). So it might have been within the realm of possibility that the tank in question could have been a huge vehicle designed to crush enemy forces....... :oops: :wink: :oops: :wink: :oops:

I am not a nut case although one might have reason to think so right now! :o

[courtnek]

**Disclaimer for Behle's previous posts (for those who are newer to Dogomania)**

I cannot be held responsible for anything I may have posted regarding K's husband's tank. You see, it is early where I live and my husband owns a military truck and it is POSSIBLE to purchase military tanks (with the armaments stripped off, of course). So it might have been within the realm of possibility that the tank in question could have been a huge vehicle designed to crush enemy forces.......

I am not a nut case although one might have reason to think so right now!

Dont feel bad Behle, I thought she meant a double-wide truck (kinda like a
Hummer here in the states) that a lot of people call "tanks" because of their size...........

:oops: :oops: :oops:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[ellieangel]

I agree with the pack reasons,very convincing. :)
But the sure fire way is to take her to the shelter and let her choose ! :wink:

I love having 2 I couldn't imagine just having one now,I would hate to leave a dog on it's own :(

[courtnek]

For those unfamiliar, I thought K was talking about something like this....

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:



now THAT's the closest to street-legal you can get in a tank...in the states at least....

[Malamum]

Behle - you crack me up :roflt: :roflt:

Though I am going to put my hand up and say I thought she was talking about some kind of funky fish tank :oops: