Getting a new puppy!

D

DonaldAshe

Forums Regular
My wife and I had two shelties, Jack and Sadie, that became therapy dogs and competed in agility. In September, we lost Jack due to a car accident. His sister, Sadie, was devastated and depressed for weeks. After about 6 weeks, we decided to begin to find another dog so we could continue our therapy work and to provide company for Sadie. We were looking for a male puppy because Sadie will get along better with a little brother than a sister. We were looking for a puppy so we can begin the training early and work out any "fear factors" as they appear.
We began with our breeder and she expected a litter but the mother didn't have puppies after all. We found another breeder that we know but she sold her last male puppy two days before we got to her. Two strikes against us. The day before thanksgiving, we got a call from the owner of the dog that was the father of our two shelties and told us that she was expecting two litters and that we could have a male from one of her litters. After talking to her about what we were looking for she understood exactly what we needed. She had been following the experiences of both of our dogs and liked what we had done with them.
Well, the last litter was born last Saturday, Dec 12th, and now the wait begins. Both my wife and I have a huge hole in our hearts from the lost of our Jack but the hope of continuing his therapy work and competing in agility gives us both something to look forward to. I am excited about beginning the training again and sharing our puppy experience with other sheltie owners.
 
I am so sorry for the heartbreaking loss of your Jack...that is devastating. But, how exciting that you have a new pup who will be joining your family in the new year. I am sure having a wee brother to bring up will brighten Sadie's spirits and give all of you something happy to focus on even though he will never "replace" Jack.

Trini
 
What a testament to Jack -- that he was so beloved that you're honoring his memory with a successor. Your breeder sounds so much like mine -- knew exactly the right puppy for therapy work.
 
Hello, welcome to the Sheltie Nation to your whole family. I am so sorry to hear of your devastating loss of your companion Jack, he sounds like he was a very special little soul. I'm sure your Sadie will be excited to welcome a new brother to the pack. Please keep us posted, we love pictures. It is going to be so fun watching your baby's grow and mature. Good luck. :smile2:
 
Got a report last night from the local breeder that got to see the puppies (She is wonderful friends with the breeder who has the puppies). She informed us that the puppies from the first litter are as she said "delicious". They are now about 5 weeks old and are doing very well. She said that the puppies from the second litter are just one week old and are doing well but not yet at the "delicious level". Went to agility yesterday with Sadie and she ran very well, better than she has in months. Maybe, she knows that she is getting a brother. She has a competition over the New Years weekend so we hope she does well. We can't wait to introduce Sadie to the puppy. :fl:fl
 
Merry Christmas everyone

Hope everyone is enjoying their Christmas with family and shelties. After the new year, we plan on setting up the house for the puppy. X-pen in the kitchen area, crate in the bedroom etc. We have forgotten what it is like to have a puppy in the house again. We have become spoiled with grown up dogs but are really looking forward to the puppy fun again.
 
DonaldAshe said:
Hope everyone is enjoying their Christmas with family and shelties. After the new year, we plan on setting up the house for the puppy. X-pen in the kitchen area, crate in the bedroom etc. We have forgotten what it is like to have a puppy in the house again. We have become spoiled with grown up dogs but are really looking forward to the puppy fun again.
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it is an adventure...good moments, not so good moments, and a whole lotta chewing:biggrin2:...that was my most unfun part. I hope one of those in the litter steals your heart. Though I have never thought of puppies as delicious...
 
Yes, loosing one and deciding to get another is a really tough decision. You can never "replace" your loved pet. But I understand the need to fill the hole that was left behind.

Enjoy your new puppy. Painful as puppyhood is, it is generally over all too fast! Send us pictures and keep us in the loop1
 
Thank you all for your responses. We had an agility trial for the past two days and it is my first without my dog. We worked the trial to support our kennel club and while I was ring crewing, I thought of having to train a new dog again. Actually, I am looking forward to it, thinking of what I will do differently this time around. There I was, thinking of running my new dog in agility, when I haven't even brought it home yet, much less house trained it. I guess it helps make the time past quicker.
 
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