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Sunday, December 9, 2012

Friend for Bella....

I'm thinking about getting my girl Bella a friend.  I work everyday and when I leave in the morning she always looks so sad.  Most days she spends sleeping on our bed trying to get as close to our pillows as she can without getting in trouble.  She could use a friend.   My daughter came home from school for Thanksgiving and along with her came the stray cat she adopted.  Lily was so sweet and lovely, the whole house fell in love. Would a cat be a good friend for Bella?   I really don't know. Although I enjoyed Lily, I'm thinking more about a rescue dog or a puppy.  Bella has more than enough love in her heart and with dogs being pack animals the more the merrier right!  I will have to sleep on this one.  I know there are a lot of you who have more than one dog.   Please let me know how your dog adapted to his or her new friend.
Posted by From Beyond My Kitchen Window at 7:15 AM
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25 comments:

  1. jaz@octoberfarmSun Dec 09, 08:34:00 AM GMT-4:30

    bella looks like she would love a new puppy for christmas!

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  2. KimSun Dec 09, 08:57:00 AM GMT-4:30

    I think Bella can handle a new friend. I vote for puppy

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  3. I'm gonna tell Mom!Sun Dec 09, 10:04:00 AM GMT-4:30

    Two dogs IS more work, and you will have to let them sort themselves out in their Dog way, but I do think the canine companionship is good. Puppies definitely benefit from the guidance of an older dog. As long as Bella isn't too old to keep up with a puppy ( she doesn't look old!), I think I would go for a rescue puppy or young dog.
    Actually, you might want to wait til after Christmas, when all those Christmas puppies get rejected because the cute wore off and reality set in.
    I'll look forward to blog updates on your decision!
    Kim

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  4. Farm GirlSun Dec 09, 10:14:00 AM GMT-4:30

    What a pretty face. I know it is hard for her when you leave for work. It is hard for me to ever say. I have cats so Sasha isn't alone. I don't know if I would do a puppy though. I had a dog when Peter got Sasha. My Sheltie didn't accept Sasha at all and I think it was hard on my dog. Much more than I expected. It is a hard thing to contemplate. Not to mention at the time my dog was getting old and going blind and deaf so having a young dog made it hard on the old one. Gosh Susan, I can hardly decide what I want for breakfast right now.
    Too bad you just can't take Bella with you. :)
    It will be exciting to see what you decide. She is a beautiful dog.

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  5. Lisa@Pickles and CheeseSun Dec 09, 10:32:00 AM GMT-4:30

    What a great photo!! She's a beauty! That's a hard decision to make. I have no advice to offer as we have our first and only dog so far so we are still learning as we go. I do know it's cute to see our dog play with the neighbor dogs. She just loves being around other dogs. Good luck with what you decide and I look forward to seeing what you do!

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  6. Ocean Breezes and Country SneezesSun Dec 09, 10:38:00 AM GMT-4:30

    She has such a beautiful face, how can you resist a friend for her! I think you should get a dog to replace each child that leaves the nest! LOL!

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  7. ~ JanisSun Dec 09, 11:50:00 AM GMT-4:30

    Adopt an older dog. They are the true treasures.
    www.petfinder.org has thousands of dogs listed from local shelters and rescues all over New England. Type your zip code in and watch what happens. I am a shelter dog evaluator and co founder of a rescue. We have had thousands of dogs come through our foster homes. Mostly "disaster dogs" from Hurricanes and floods the last 2 years. The older dogs are the best. Drop by and visit my Vermont adventures when you have a chance:
    www.tailgait.blogspot.com

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  8. TamiSun Dec 09, 12:20:00 PM GMT-4:30

    I have three! I noticed my cocker spaniel Scooter becoming way too attached to me. So we brought home Ginny from the shelter. It was love at first sight. Both were "older" puppies so it wasn't like bringing home a baby.

    Two dogs is EASY. They take care of each other. Three dogs though...Well, that's a pack and when we found Casey (who WAS a baby) it brought a whole new dynamic to the group.

    Still, I wouldn't change a thing. They are SO much fun and as far as the concern about food and Vet bills...Well it's only money @;)

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  9. prince snow farmSun Dec 09, 02:31:00 PM GMT-4:30

    I feel the same way when we leave Stormy every day! If Bella was happy with the comfort of a cat, I guess I would ask yourself which will take less training, etc...I guess a cat would lend companionship, whereas a dog would also become a playmate.

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  10. greenthumbSun Dec 09, 04:16:00 PM GMT-4:30

    Our little rescue puppy and cat are still trying to get on 5 months later.

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  11. BarbSun Dec 09, 07:18:00 PM GMT-4:30

    Get a rescue dog. Take Bella with you when you look. Coco our older dog loves our little Dukie. They play together and Coco is happier when we are away.

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  12. Susan LindquistSun Dec 09, 07:53:00 PM GMT-4:30

    Our Pete was a full-grown adult when Mimi came into our lives. Pete is ever tolerant of the puppy and her aspiring 'top dog' attitude ... I have let them work things out, and thankfully, Pete has always been gentle with her exuberance. That's the big thing with bringing another dog into the household, I think. Pete knows I love him 'best' so to speak ... and that Mimi is a treasure, but ... I truly believe our animals sense their people's feelings ... so I keep it different with each of them. They are wonderful playmates with each other and great company when we leave them for the few hours that they must be alone ... and when we kennel them for weekends away, they stay in the same over-sized room at our boarding kennel ... they are a couple at this point!

    if you have the energy to get them set up together and established in their own rights in your home, do go for it. It's worth it, but your vacuum bags will be twice as full! Wink!

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  13. BonnieSun Dec 09, 08:08:00 PM GMT-4:30

    Bella is beautiful! I often worry about Willie. We babysit our daughter's pups when they visit or travel. Willie is always happy to see them, but I also think he is happy when they leave. He loves to escape up to the bedroom and snuggle into our bed. We've thought of getting him a friend, but I am just not for sure either. Bonnie

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  14. HelsieSun Dec 09, 10:12:00 PM GMT-4:30

    Go for it ... but get another dog for company. If you get an older "rescue" dog I think you need to be there to supervise for a while till they are settled in - perhaps a week from Christmas till new Year would be enough. In fairness to both of them. A young dog might be a better option.

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  15. From the KitchenMon Dec 10, 08:03:00 AM GMT-4:30

    We've always been a one-at-a-time dog family (dalmatians) and at times felt a bit guilty. The people we know who have more than one dog seem to have no problem at all. Hope it all works out for you.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  16. JCMon Dec 10, 12:40:00 PM GMT-4:30

    I've always had two dogs. That way they have someone to talk to during the day.

    This last time, I waited four months in between, and the first couple of days they are getting to know each other. Now, they are best friends and don't do anything without the other.

    And, if you do rescue, you normally need to bring your dog with to see if they get along.

    Cats, mine get along fine. They even sleep together.

    My Collie tries to herd the cats which they don't like but other than that they do lots of rubs and nose kisses.

    xo,
    JC and The Purr and Fur Gang

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  17. LeslieMon Dec 10, 03:25:00 PM GMT-4:30

    Well.. you know my answer! Our two girls are such pals and I think it helps Ginger (my senior) to have Layla around.. particularly when we are gone at work. A little puppy under the tree? ..with a big red bow? :} Keep us posted on what you decide!!

    xx
    leslie

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  18. Chris at Red Gate FarmMon Dec 10, 08:12:00 PM GMT-4:30

    We had to get a "sister" for our yellow lab that has severe separation anxiety... it has made a big difference and of course she likes to play with the black lab much more than the cranky old miniature dachshund! Of course some days it does seem like twice the work!

    ~Chris

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  19. KerinMon Dec 10, 09:57:00 PM GMT-4:30

    Sounds like you have a good plan.
    Personally, I think a dog, likes to have another dog for company.

    We have had two dogs...and one was adopted into the family years after the first one.
    They became inseparable.

    Enjoy this wonderful Christmas time of year.

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  20. Brownieville GirlSat Dec 15, 04:36:00 PM GMT-4:30

    My mother has two dogs, and one of them bullies the other unmercifully.
    That said dogs are like people in that they are all so different - I love the idea of being able to rescue one of the many "mistake" Christmas gifts.

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  21. Dog Trot FarmSat Dec 15, 11:39:00 PM GMT-4:30

    What a sweet face Bella has, she appears to be a very laid back dog. Years ago we had two dogs, both Collies. First Lucy and a few years later Chloe, both got along well. When Lucy passed away Winslow Homer came to us as a puppy. Chloe was wonderful and very patient with Winslow and his growing pains. Two dogs are a bit of work, and then there is the adjustment period. I think I would adopt a cat. Good luck with your decision. Blessings, Julie.

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  22. Gloria BakerWed Dec 19, 07:09:00 PM GMT-4:30

    Oh dear this really touched me, I had three dogs a lot of time but 2 weeks ago my senior dog die, he was sick but ok but has a surgery and you know, Still my heart is cry, what special are our pets didn't??

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  23. PhyllisFri Dec 21, 09:51:00 PM GMT-4:30

    Hi,

    Bella looks so sweet! I've had as many as five dogs at once (even more if I count fosters) and most of the time there was just a short adjustment period.

    When I brought Blair home as a foster, nobody even blinked. It was like she had lived here all her life.

    You just need to work with the rescue groups and ask for a two week trial period. Most of them are happy to oblige so that the adoption is successful. There are so many dogs on death row, so it would be wonderful for you to save a life and give Bella a friend. I will never have only one dog!

    Merry Christmas :)

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  24. ElaineSat Dec 22, 08:41:00 PM GMT-4:30

    I think it is a wonderful idea to find a friend for Bella. I am sure she is lonely during the day.

    Have a wonderful holiday!

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  25. Tilly's NestSun Dec 23, 09:27:00 PM GMT-4:30

    What a beautiful girl! I think Bella would love a companion. My little ones don't know, but they are getting their first dog for Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and a wonderful 2013~Melissa

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