Harvest moon, with thunder

[altivo]

Western half of the sky clouded and threatening, eastern half clear revealing the full moon in all its glory. Actually, I think it may be really full tomorrow but close enough right now. Bright, almost enough to read by actually.

Radar looks nasty out in Iowa and Minnesota, may get here, may drift northward and miss us.

Long day as usual. No big news except Gary is already talking about rescue dogs and what we should look for. I thought he'd need longer to get over it, but he's doing well now. Last night he was almost in shock. For those in our area, he's thinking golden retriever or German shepherd types. We need a dog that's friendly to other dogs and visitors, and doesn't eat cats. Easy to train and groom are preferred pluses. My big thing aside from that is that I prefer not to have a dog that barks incessantly at every small sound. A few woofs at a strange car or visitor is fine. Barking for an hour because some other dog in the neighborhood is barking is not fine.

Four of the six dogs we've had since we've been together (28 years last June) were rescues from pound or failing home situations, and one was repossessed by the breeder because the buyer's check bounced and I bought him on a "fire sale." All have been great dogs and companions, and we'd prefer another rescue over a breeder pup. Papers or pureblood not required. Friendliness, resemblance to our preferred types, and general trainability are the necessities.

I owe responses to some of you for your kind comments, and will get to it, I promise. Right now I'm done for the day.

Comments

My advice

[avon-deer.livejournal.com]

It's only been a day or two since you lost Sarah. My advice would be not to comit to another dog just yet. By all means visit some resuce centres, but give it two or so weeks before actually going for it. I suspect there is still a lot of upset from the loss, even if it does not show outwardly. You need to make the right choice when you do, in the right frame of mind.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

*yowls* Shine oooon...shine on harvest mooooon.

Golden Retriever and German shepherds are lovely dogs...not sure they'll not eat cats though.

Re: My advice

[altivo]

In general, that's good advice. But we've been through this experience many times. In fact, the last couple of times we were able to anticipate the loss and adopted a third dog ahead of time. This time we were taken aback. Simon's health is not good (he's 14, near blind and near deaf, but still waggy and managing) and we expected to lose him first, not the younger dog. Gary is a very experienced dog owner and trainer, so if he wants to go ahead, I think he'll do fine.

[altivo]

We've had three goldens in the past. All got along beautifully with the cats and with people including rambunctious children. We've never had a GSD, and I think your concern there is a valid one. Collies might be another possibility, but cats are the same concern with them. We both like Pyrenees and Kuvasz but the general recommendations say those breeds don't do well with other dogs or cats, so unless we hit a good one by accident, they're out. The same for most of the spitz types - huskies, malamutes, elkhounds...

Re: My advice

[avon-deer.livejournal.com]

I hope you find another companion soon then. :)

[shadow_stallion]

I'm really sorry to hear of your loss. :( *hugs*

This very thing has been on my mind a lot recently for some reason even though Niko seems to be in basically perfect health. I guess it just sort of hit me that he is turning 6 this year and quite possibly has less than that ahead of him to spend with us.

[altivo]

Thanks. *hugback*

We've had pretty good luck with longevity, actually. Our favorite golden only lasted 9 years, which was sad. Sarah was 11 I think. The others have all run up to 14 or more, some over 16 years. One cat we have right now is coming up on 18 years. Rickety, but still ticking.