Should we get a puppy?

star328

Hi! I have been a lurker, since coming from the knot! I thought you guys would be the best to ask. If anyone has had any personal experience w

We have a 14 year old Boston Terrier (she was my family dog growing up, and she moved in with us when we bought a house). My husband and I have been wanting another dog for quite some time.  Now it seems as if we are more ready then ever. However, we are not sure that would be fair to our senior dog. She gets along great with other dogs, her only health issue is allergies which we have under control. She does sleep the majority of the day.

 So we were just looking to see if anyone has ha personal experience with this situation. Any pros? Any cons? With adding a puppy to our home, that has a 14 year old dog? Just want to be sure we have our dogs best interest in mind. Thank you!!! 

wypadek

I don't have a lot of advice but one thing to think of is her energy level. My inlaws have a 12 or 13 year old lab who finds my two VERY annoying when we all come over. She has more health issues than it sounds like your dog  has and has REALLY slowed down in the last year or so.

I would suggest maybe introducing the two of them before you make a commitment. I know when we adopted Collins (already had Ziva), the fact that the foster mom knew how well Ziva and her got along was HUGE (we're friends with the foster mom so they'd played together lots).

Mrs.Hizzo

I think you ought to wait. Fourteen is pretty old, and even if she's healthy and spunky right now, that could change at any time. If she gets sick or arthritic, a puppy could make things miserable for her.

jen812

I wouldn't get another dog right now either. The only dog I might consider would be an older dog, who's calm & likes to sleep all day too.

mainerocks

jen812:

I wouldn't get another dog right now either. The only dog I might consider would be an older dog, who's calm & likes to sleep all day too.

I would agree with this too. I think he deserves to live out his days enjoying life with his fam. Unless he is still very young acting and absolutely loves to be around hyper pups, a new rambunctious puppy would be fair.  

and PS - although I would also say this to a potential adopter at the shelter I volunteer at, my opinion might also be tainted by the fact that I brought home two 5 month old cats to the house with my 11 year old Lily and now I"m feeling guilty about how unimpressed she is. :-/ 

dirtyred

I wouldn't get a puppy, but as some pp's  have said, would you consider  a dog 2+  years old?  At that age they're generally out of puppy and terrible teen age behavior and wouldn't bother your dog as much.

HB's Girl

dirtyred:

I wouldn't get a puppy, but as some pp's  have said, would you consider  a dog 2+  years old?  At that age they're generally out of puppy and terrible teen age behavior and wouldn't bother your dog as much.

I was going to ask this too. Or even an older dog that is several years old.  As I understand, shelters have a hard time adopting out older dogs, and you could save a life while spreading puppy luv.  

vcabbyw

My 11 year old Yorkie still finds our now 18 month Catahoula very annoying. But I do admit that our Yorkie doesn't enjoy playing with other dogs, she just tolerates them. If I had to do it over again, I would of waited.

Vikkie815

I'm sure a lot depends on the dog but I did have a good exerience with getting a younger dog (about 6 months) with a senior dog (12 years). The puppy kept the senior dog moving and probably extended the senior dogs life.