Retriever Rescue

As you all know we lost Troy just before Christmas and are left with Brad, who is four and is missing his buddy. How long would you leave it before may be getting him a friend and would he accept a stranger living in his home??

I just wondered if anyone has any thoughts on this having maybe gone through the same thing. When we lost Luke our other dog we got Brad almost 6 weeks later as a puppy a mere 6 week old, bless.

Although puppies are the cutest thing ever, they are blinking expensive!!
Especailly when there are so many lovely dogs wanting a home.

Only you will know when it is right for you and only you will know your dog to know whether he will accept another dog into his home. It may be that a bitch would be better. It is sometimes easier for a male to accept a female and I am very reluctant to put two males together but having said that I have done it many times and it has worked but the right male has to be found.

Thanks Jan for your honest answer
I must admit Brad is good with other dogs he comes across when out, so don't think it would be a problem.

We have always had two males and have never had a problem, may be we where just lucky

We've always had 2 dogs together and I must admit, that with only 1 in the house it feels really empty and I hate it. When we knew we were on borrowed time with Jenna (she had Cushings Disease that was being very difficult to control) we got in touch with rescue and when we eventually lost her gave them a ring. Within 2 weeks we had Jessica. Lily had been lost on her own, always having had another dog in the house, as she had come straight from her breeder. She welcomed Jessica like a long lost friend. I'm sure it isn't always that easy and we were very lucky but having had such a fantastic experience, we would do it again.

Several years ago a man who lives not far from us lost his golden on the Wednesday and within 48 hours he had another golden, he asked me if I thought it was too soon, and was he being unfair to be memory of the dog he had just lost, I said that I didn't know if I could have one quite so soon, but it could only be good as the 'new kid' had a home where it would be loved. Then in 2005 we suddenly lost Abigail, after a phone call to Jan, up the M6 'we' all went barely six days after Abby had died, to collect Cobi, and the rest is history......I still miss all of our previous goldens, but now not in the same way, our conversation goes something like... 'do you remember when so and so did?.... and we have thousands of photographs of the little so and so's doing whatever they did....

I think as Jan said only you will know, everyone is different,it also depends on the dog left some may enjoy all the fuss being the only one, others just need a pal,when the time is right I am sure you will know..

Sorry to hear of your loss its never easy, time does heal and the bad memories are always replaced by good ones, I couldnt see myself with only one now, all I would ask that the dog got on with the dog left and the rest comes....

Your right the house does seem empty with only one as have had two dogs for the last 10 years.

We have only ever had males never had a female before. Is there much difference in thier natures? Some people say males are more affectionate! Would it not be a problem with a male and female when she comes into season? Think this is why we have always gone for males.

Yes it would be a problem if they were not neutered.

I can only echo most other peoples comments, its for you to decide.I can only say that getting one soon after losing my first retriever was the right choice for me and did help with the loss of Sunny. Now we have two and our family seems complete once more, and Sunny is still in our hearts every day, he will never be forgotten.

I can only echo most other peoples comments, its for you to decide.I can only say that getting one soon after losing my first retriever was the right choice for me and did help with the loss of Sunny. Now we have two and our family seems complete once more, and Sunny is still in our hearts every day, he will never be forgotten.

Before we got Lucy Paddy was nuetered, then Lucy came along some 6 months later, always best to get them nuetered/spayed. I have to say I love the males they have so much character, Lucy is our first female, she is always wanting a cuddle, and follows me round the house when I am doing my chores, Paddy is happy to look out the window or have a nap!..
Boys to me are harder work, but for a nice combo male/female is nice....see below...

A lovely picture. They look very happy with one another

Thanks for all your fed back its very interesting to hear what you all have to say. I must admit i would prefer another male even if it means waiting for the right one to come along. Will give it some more though

I love the picture of Paddy and Lucy, it looks like love Or that ad on tv where the dog, cat and mouse curl up in front of the fire.

Have to say this picture was taken some time ago Lucy was only about 6 months old but Paddy still cleans her face,she just lies there and lets him do it..

Brad used to be like this with Troy funnily enough, used to lick his eyes
He is a funny dog Brad he washes his feet all the time and chews his nails Such a gentle boy he is