FUBAR
Footballguy
Our ten year old (or older) beagle died yesterday. We're on vacation and our neighbor's 12yo daughter was watching her, found her dead in the backyard. I'm pretty sure it was a heart attack or she may have eaten something she shouldn't, as she briefly escaped the yard earlier in the day. No matter, we're sure the 12yo didn't cause the death. But we feel horrible for her, she was slightly traumatized by it.
As we're on vacation we haven't told our kids yet, most likely we'll tell them on the way home over lunch. This will be the first dog they've had die on them, no grandparents have died either other than great grandparents they barely knew. So no doubt they'll take it somewhat hard. Our 12yo took care of her for the most part but everyone loved her.
How do you break the news and how long do you wait before getting a new dog?
As for breed, while we liked the beagle, I'm looking for something a little bigger. Maybe a lab or golden, but my wife hates the shedding so we're considering a large poodle mix. We'll go to a rescue so not a designer dog, and we'll basically let the dog choose us within limits. Personally I'd love a pit / poodle / lab / boxer mix (yeah, we won't find that exactly) that I can run with but doesn't need exercise every day to behave. Most days we'll walk or jog with it, but there will be some days we can't.
We'll probably go for a dog between 1 and 5 years old as we don't really want a puppy. But getting someone else's dog brings issues of its own.
Any breed suggestions? Or things to look for other than the normal house training?
As we're on vacation we haven't told our kids yet, most likely we'll tell them on the way home over lunch. This will be the first dog they've had die on them, no grandparents have died either other than great grandparents they barely knew. So no doubt they'll take it somewhat hard. Our 12yo took care of her for the most part but everyone loved her.
How do you break the news and how long do you wait before getting a new dog?
As for breed, while we liked the beagle, I'm looking for something a little bigger. Maybe a lab or golden, but my wife hates the shedding so we're considering a large poodle mix. We'll go to a rescue so not a designer dog, and we'll basically let the dog choose us within limits. Personally I'd love a pit / poodle / lab / boxer mix (yeah, we won't find that exactly) that I can run with but doesn't need exercise every day to behave. Most days we'll walk or jog with it, but there will be some days we can't.
We'll probably go for a dog between 1 and 5 years old as we don't really want a puppy. But getting someone else's dog brings issues of its own.
Any breed suggestions? Or things to look for other than the normal house training?
(Hey, the whole nine lives thing, you know.) So assuming that canines are similarly organized, getting a new one right away is usually my recommendation. It helps with the healing process and you can look for signs of the spirit of your departed pet in the new companion, if you want to believe in that sort of thing.
We've almost always gotten our dogs at the shelters. There are just so many that need a home. Even if you are looking for a puppy, they show up quite often.
