Posted by finelinebob on January 25, 2002, at 0:04:06
In reply to Another question about dogs, posted by Gracie2 on January 19, 2002, at 23:49:10
> What to you think about a German Shepard? They seem to be friendly but naturally territorial. Also, my husband might not be ready to accept another dog at this point...he still has the cremains of our old dog and is waiting until he can think of the exact right place to scatter them. The lab was like a child to him.
> So I'm afraid the care and training of the new dog will entirely be my responsibility until my husband comes around, which I'm sure he will. He
> loves dogs, but he's not ready to replace the old one quite yet. Help?I lost my 5 yr old Shepherd to cancer last March, and I certainly understand your husband feeling like he's lost a child. Tasha was the best part of my life.
My best friend gave me a book that helped a lot -- Goodbye, Dear Friend by Virginia Ironside (ISBN 1861050313). I guess she's some sort of advice columnist in England, and wrote the book in response to much of the mail she's received over the years. One of the hard truths she brings out (as others have observed) is that because of most pets shorter life spans (can't say that about my therapist's parrot), we will probably lose them before we go ourselves. But for those for whom the thought of getting a new companion brings on thoughts of guilt (as if the pet that has died could ever be "replaced") or deeper grief, not wanting to bear the experience again, she suggested that our companions might say: "You had enough love to bring me into your life ... go love another instead of letting it go to waste."
... just don't get me started talking about Shepherds (too late!)
The thing about Shepherds is that just having one with you creates an image of being guarded ... I don't think any other dog has the same reputation for being protective (as opposed to mean or vicious or whatever ... of course, all generalizations that might apply to any dog or no dog regardless of breed or breeding). To take generalizations even further, if you get a Shepherd, you may want a female over a male. Female Shepherds tend to be more "possessive" and concerned about the "pack" than males. Since your retreiver's a young male, getting a female might head off some potential issues there as well in terms of dominance.
Forget New Skete, tho, if you're in the area ... they have a waiting list several years long and their dogs are quite expensive.
Another place to check would be guide dog schools. Not all dogs who go through the training get accepted, but make fine companions for people without special needs.
Dinah's suggestions about going to a show and checking out doggie parents are good advice (and show she's a conscienscious breeder herself! ;^). If a puppy would be too much, you may also be able to find a breeder willing to place an "older" dog done with competition as a companion dog. My breeder has done this with one of her Shepherds recently and was considering placing one or two others as well.
I don't think I could live very long any longer without a Shepherd in my life ... sorry, but I'm very biased about this breed. I think my Tasha was smarter than most of the people I've ever met, and she was certainly kinder than most New Yorkers as well ;^). My new friend Leyna -- 5 months old now -- is so different, yet so similar ... but I'd certainly be in much worse mental shape right now if she didn't come into my life when she did. She's very insistent on getting my attention if I've been at the computer too long and has no qualms about climbing into my lap (she's already hit 45lbs in weight) to pull me away from the screen.
cheers,
flb
poster:finelinebob
thread:16896
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020112/msgs/17178.html