Redetotry wrote:Anne I hope you have been able to find out more about Joe’s health issue. I personally wish when he is better that you consider getting another dog to keep him company. When my first poodle Nickel had a serious health issue when she was around 11, my long time vet said I want you to get another dog for two reasons, first because I won't be able to handle you when something happens to her and second Nickel will live longer to help train the puppy. I followed his advice and saw he was right. Nickel lived to just a few months before her 16th birthday and I have always had at least two dogs since then.
Thanks for the thoughts, BJ. My concern is what would happen to my beloved companion/s should they outlive me. On the other hand, I do agree with what you say - maybe there is some way protections could be put in place in advance, should this come to pass. Maybe I do have 'time' for another dog - or maybe even two.
My Dad lived to be 97, in good health for his age, with all of his marbles intact. So I (might) have some good genes here, and I have also been a lifetime non-smoker. (My Mom was a heavy smoker most of her life, and the "Big C" caught up with her at age 66).
Current (possible) diagnosis for Joe is an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia in dogs, should anyone care to look it up). Tests have been run, I am awaiting results - I actually hope this is the problem (and not something else. . .), because it is a (fairly) easy cure (neutering - this eliminates the hormones that cause the problem).
The two-dog thing is something that has crossed my mind more than once, for sure. Thanks for suggesting it.
I love Staffordshire Bull Terriers - I have owned and loved this breed for more than forty years - but sometimes keeping two dogs of this particular breed can be, um, shall we. . . "problematic" (particularly for the inexperienced). Particularly when trying to introduce two adult dogs (even if one dog is a Stafford, and the other dog is of other lineage).
As Staffords go, and as most dogs go, really, Joe is an extremely mellow and laid-back kind of dog. But being laid-back and mellow does not change the fact that he is a Stafford.
Staffords are terriers, born and bred, after all. And Staffords can be a bit on the larger side of the terrier spectrum (Joe weighs about 45 pounds). And they can be. . . let's just say they can, sometimes, be a bit "pugnacious" with one another.
I don't mean this in a negative way at all. No breed is perfect for all people.
Staffords are what they are, and those of us who adore this breed accept the entire package - as one must do with any breed of dog that one loves. Loving on them will not change the inbred characteristics of any breed - for example, loving on a retriever will not cause the retriever to stop thinking about retrieving. Loving on a border collie will not cause the border collie to stop thinking about herding.
And so on. . .
Off my soapbox now! I imagine that Tina can speak in a general kind of way about the pros/cons of various dog breeds (because Tina is highly experienced with dogs), and maybe also of her own preferred breed.
Thanks, BJ!
Anne
