Usually, a situation like this calls for much hand-writing, contemplation, agonizing and drama. I don’t care for drama, I’ve had enough of it in my life and in the lives of the people around me.
Drama makes me almost physically ill at this point in my life and here on the blog I’ve promised to be open and honest.
No secrets, no games.
The script calls for me to grieve, recover from the death of Red and mull my next dog move. Then to make a sudden (and dramatic) announcement about it, after everyone is in suspense.
But that would be a lie, and contrived. I hate being coy.
It isn’t that I’m noble, I just have become clearer and more aware of the intentions and decisions that motivate my behavior. Maria and I have talked about getting another dog – we talk about everything that happens in our lives and on the farm – and we are both agreed.
I also talked with my big sister Jane, she knows just about everything there is to know about the emotional motivations and underpinnings around getting a dog. If you see it is a gift, she said, go for it. And I do see it as a gift.
We want a Yellow Lab puppy. A female, I think. A quiet, gentle, sweet puppy, not too outgoing, not too shy. Something in the middle.
I’ve found an excellent breeder with a pregnant dog (I just don’t like the term bitch), and if she accepts me as a fitting recipient for one of her dogs after we talk, then I’ll send her a deposit as soon as the dog has had her ultra-sound check, and we know for sure she is having babies.
Since the due date is late September, the tests should be soon.
As many of us know, many things can go wrong in canine birth, there are no guarantees and few certainties.
I have always Labs and border collies.
I love both breeds, I have always been drawn to the working breeds.
We have two wonderful dogs. Fate is a magnificent creature, disinterested in herding but eager to love up people in our therapy work. I love having Bud, the small dog experience is richer and more interesting than I imagined. I love his character and ego.
The mix of these dogs – a border collie, a Boston Terrier, and a Yellow Labrador – seems wonderful to me.
Red has left a big hole in my life, and I write about dogs and love having them, so I want to fill that hole with another great dog. I am older – 72 now – and I don’t subscribe to the idea that older people should not get dogs that might outlive them. To me, that would be a weak rationalization.
Maria is 17 years younger than I am, and I doubt a new Lab would come close to outliving her. And dogs are often happily and successfully rehomed by the millions in any case. People who love dogs should have them. No dog should ever have to languish in a no-kill crate for years.
This dog will cost a lot of money – $2,500, a big consideration – but dogs are my livelihood, I expect she will earn back her cost in one way or another.
There are few dogs cuter than yellow Lab puppies. And I will, of course, share the experience of getting her, training her, and chronicling her integration into our family.
Dogs from honest and experienced breeders have produced some of the most wonderful dogs I have known – I think of Rose and Red in particular, and Pearl. A good breeder keeps the best traits of dogs alive.
A prime consideration for me is my therapy work with dogs.
I wish to continue my hospice therapy work, and my deepening work with the elderly, especially at the Mansion. Labs can make wonderful service dogs. I will want to see five generations of paperwork showing good temperament in any dog I buy for therapy work.
Labs love working with people, and if properly bred, can have an absolutely reliable temperament. I will never have one of my dogs frightening or snapping at a dying or elderly person.
Maria and I each have veto power over any animal that comes into the farm.
If either one of says no, there is no argument. We just don’t do it.
We both have said yes to a Yellow Lab puppy, I love the way this mother looks, she is a beautiful dog.
We will, of course, go see the puppies and make certain it’s the right match all around.
I can start training a Lab puppy from scratch, and I believe those are the dogs that make the best therapy dogs for me and the close-in therapy work I like to do. Red was a once-in-a-lifetime dog, I won’t try to replicate him.
Fate will continue to work with me, her therapy dog training is coming along better than I imagined. But she is four years old, and there are some things I wouldn’t try to do with her – like hospice work.
She just gets a bit too excited for hospice work, she is great for the Mansion.
The armies of the righteous online are already displeased with my mention of even thinking about a purebred bought dog as opposed to a rescue like Bud or Frieda or Izzy. I’m told there is only one right way to get a dog, and that is to rescue one.
Almost anyone who really knows dogs or cares about them knows this is bullshit. People tell me they are disappointed in me. I tell them to get lost.
They are obnoxious, not persuasive, and they give animal rescue a bad name, which seems somewhat self-defeating.
There are lots of ways to get a good dog, and the best is to get one you want and love and think of as a blessed gift.
Those of you have followed my blog know there are two things that make me need to work on my patience and gentleness. People who tell me what to write, and people who tell me how to get a dog.
I consider this the height of arrogance and ignorance.
I’ve written a dozen books about dogs, and gotten them in many different ways – rescue, shelter, breeder. I don’t need advice about how to do it.
Nobody who tells me there is one way to get a dog is my friend or someone who deserves to be listened to.
The rescue people I respect – and there are many – would never tell me to get any dog but one that I wanted, in whatever way I wanted.
I’ll get this dog thoughtfully and carefully, and I’ll share the process. I am excited about this, I think getting the puppy will be good for me and for Maria, and I believe it is also an honor to Red, a dog I loved so much I want to do it again.
Stay tuned. This puppy, if it works out, will not come home until November. Updates to come.
Another of what I name your “thinking aloud” entries–so honest, right down to your toenails! I do cringe at the price you will pay, but this is one of the things that have changed so much with my age. Houses are another. The first house I lived in cost 1,200 sterling in Cambridge, England. Now the semi-detached houses in the same street sell for ca 475,000 sterling.
I was given an Old English Mastiff puppy in 1974 which cost the giver $190. This dog was bred from the same strain of the mastiffs my grandparents had many years ago, in Lithuania, so it was a very emotional and welcome gift. My first husband had just died and I think the idea was to give me a guard dog. Ha! Sheba was as gentle as a kitten. We would joke that she would welcome house breakers at the door and offer to make them a sandwich.. Can you imagine that this puppy would cost today?
Best wishes to you both and thank you for this long and thoughtful read today.
How wonderful. I am in full agreement with every word. While I am I strong proponent of rescue, I also firmly believe in the need for good, conscientious breeders and the right for each of us to find the best dog we can to fill our needs and provide a good, loving home. I look forward to the stories to come.
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!! THIS IS GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN WATCHING YOUR LAB (GIRL OR BOY) GROW UP!! CAN’T WAIT TO SEE MASTER BUD & MISS FATE WITH THEIR NEW BROTHER OR SISTER!
So happy for you and Maria!
Blessings to all,
Josie
My parents and grandparents all had English Setters. All from well-known breeders and all excellent bird dogs (well ok some more than others). They loved what they did and they also were and are family dogs who slept inside and were adored by us. The only thing we couldn’t do was play tug of war to protect their soft mouths. I am all for rescue dogs but agree with you that knowing the kind of dog you want for a specific job is best going through a good breeder. I do still have trouble with breeding cats – ah well no one is perfect.
Good for you, Jon & Maria, for considering another puppy. Labs are a wonderful breed of dog. I also have trouble referring to my two females here as bitches, though this is the correct term, neither fit the connotation of the word in today’s society. I’m glad you’re able to speak your mind here on your blog. It is after all, your blog to write upon. The controversy is no doubt good for it but honestly, having worked in Aussie Rescue here in Ontario until the parent group disbanded their chapters around NA, rescue dogs can come with issues. That is not to say breeder-bred dogs don’t have issues as well, however, they are generally genetic. Rescue dogs can have history. If you get a rescue that is uncomplicated, it is truly a gift to the new owner. Let’s hope the ultrasound reveals some growing puppies in the mom’s tummy.
Sandy Small Proudfoot, Canada
We need to reinforce good breeders and I know there are many out there. I have rescue bc’s right now but I knew a great breeder years ago that I was proud to have had a dog from her. She has passed away, sadly.
Please always do what you need to for you…and fortify your bubble to keep out the toxic righteous sludge.
I have had yellow labs for the last 19 years. A day never goes by that that lab is not by my side pleasing me. A yellow lab is a great mix with Fate and Bud. ENJOY???
I wanted to add, Jon, that purchasing another dog or puppy so soon after loosing another, does not diminish the grief we feel in having to put a dog down through age or illness. Rather, as you say, each dog has a special place in our hearts. I hear people say, “I can’t get another dog just yet, or ever, it hurts too much to loose them” and this is true. The grief experienced in loosing a beloved dog is not to be measured against another. I am surrounded by dogs I’ve had to put down over the thirty-one years I’ve lived here in the country. Several are buried up beneath our pine trees, one is cremated and in my clothes closet, their pictures are very much present in my life. When a dog dies, the love we have to give another does not die. And it is sometimes better not to wait. The grief is ameliorated in loving another. That is what some people are not able to be open to or realize.
Sandy Small Proudfoot, Canada
I don’t know if I am really up for a lab, but I met one I liked yesterday, at a beach. It came running up to me barking in a way which would have freaked out my dad, who was scared of dogs. But I just stood there and said “what?” “What is it”. It then went to play ball with its owner, who threw the ball into the lake repeatedly for it to swim for. Then came the part I REALLY liked. There was a Dad in the shallow water with a 3 year old. The dog brought the ball to Dad, the little boy was clearly scared of it. The Dad threw the ball again & again until the boy was laughing. Good one, Dad!
So great to hear that you and Maria have decided to do this! Grief and joyful anticipation can coexist in such a beautiful way. So sorry for your loss of Red. Love that you will have another lab. Seems full circle in a way.
Good for you & Maria!? You have alot of knowledge about & experience with dog breeds you love. That Lab momma is beautiful. I posted earlier that I honored my dog, Chaz, in grieving & taking time to find another dog. But I’m looking; I miss having a dog in the house. Besides the cat is busy putting me on her schedule to get what she wants.
good news all around, Jon! I’m thrilled for this hopeful pup for you. We had a 6 month lull after our last dog died….until we got our current Aussie. We *were* looking…….but in hindsight…… not hard enough? or perhaps it was just meant to be that way…..but it really was a too quiet and rather lonely 6 month period until we got our new dog, who fell into our laps maybe when he was meant to. All in good time when it is meant to be, I believe
Susan M
Aussies are just the best! I’m on my 2nd now, and can’t imagine being without him.
Go for it Jon I did rescue for shih tzus for over 10 years and one was a little black female born almost blind I had her 5 yrs and lost her to a ruptured disc which paralyzed her I tried for awhile to rehab her but being blind made it very difficult and I realized I was being selfish to continue on with it and finally had her put down. I always thought I want another black shih Tzu but I will wait and find a good breeder. You see black in the shih Tzu breed is recessive color and so it is important to make sure they are not in bred to achieve that color I waited 6 years not intentionally just the way it worked out found an older couple who bred black and white or black only wouldn’t ship and wanted 2000 dollars I was a little queasy on the price and looked at other breeders for 1000 dollars but none had the standards of this couple and being a professional dog person like your self I just wasn’t going buy a puppy shipped to me and not see breeding stock and how they were kept. Needless to say it was a beautiful home with beautiful dogs and puppies, all living in the home and not a hint of doggy odors. I to was told by a lot of people I should rescue and my reply was I’m getting my mid life crisis sports model dog I have rescued but now I want what I want. That was 9 years ago and she has never disappointed me some of the best money I ever spent on my self I don’t where jewelry and I consider her my jewelry so I named her JETTA which means black lustrous gemstone. What one of my customers said to me one time was if we planned getting a dog as well as we plan our vacations we probably wouldn’t need shelters . I had many sleepless nights over getting this dog spending that much money would she bond with me all kinds of fears but I took the leap and have no regrets she’s laying at my feet as I type this.
My husband said to me when we lost my 13 year old Aussie, and I was working with her ‘little brother’ ,my 1 year old, ‘So you are old now, your next dog will just be a pet, right, not something you compete with? ‘ ( I am 64, and just starting to enjoy competitive stock dog work and Rally …I reminded him both my parents lived to 93, and he sighed and said, ‘maybe one more, then…’ LOL!! May this puppy bring joy to you & Maria, and the Farm, Mansion & school as well.
Enjoy the Lab puppy stage, John! Hide your shoes and gloves, and remember, it only lasts 5 or 6 years.
We’ve loved a Dudley yellow for 11 and 1/2 years. He greets everyone like a long-lost friend and never fails to put a smile on the face of everyone he meets.
Wonderful dogs, wonderful choice.
Had five labs, never lost a shoe or glove, am proud to say..I make sure there are dog chews all around…they are wonderful dogs, you describe them well…