Shelties and "only children"

Just take it day by day with him, after his buddy goes on without him.

My mother's 2nd Sheltie completely stopped eating after his sister (half-sister, 1 year older than him, raised with im) died. Would not eat, tried to dig her up...it was horrible. My mother "stole" his mother from her mother (my grandma bred them, and she sold my mother Bear and Barbie), and after we got Misty (the mother of Bear and Barbie), he finally started to eat. Then, about a month later, we got my ball of fluff (Jock, an 8 week old blue merle from my grandma), and everything evened out.

But, on the flipside, my grandma had a male, who even after beig neutered, was dog aggressive (not horribly, but he wanted to be IN CHARGE). So she sold him (she'd put a lot of money into him....Canadian Ch and everything...), into a 1 dog home, and he's the Star.

I would just go by his attitude. You'll know if he'll be better with or without someone after it happens.
 
I have never had just one. I started out with 2 and within months I had 5. My story about my babies is rather complicated. I just wanted 2 shelties but it somehow wound up I started a rescue. I have had a total of 14 shelties in the past 6 years, and am now not going to have more then 10 (I run a rescue for older and sicker shelties) Everytime one of my babies passes all my other dogs become withdrawn and basically go into the grieving process. It does effect them I cannot ever imagine having one sheltie. The interaction between my babies now is incredible. I am not sure who would be more depressed if I had only one or even 2...me or them. My Maizie who is 6 is the mother hen with the others. They cry or whine she is there checking them out. When I take one of them out of the group, the others will walk around, and waiting at the door looking for the missing baby. We have had some jealousy when a newbie comes in, but out of 14 shelties this has only happened once. My FoxMan lives to be the omega pupper and does not want anyone else to be in that position but himself.

I am a firm believer that that shelties need a companion. My dogs are proof of this
 
While we do have another dog, Spencer’s best friend is one of the cats.:smile2: When I tell him to “go find your kitty“, he immediately heads off to wherever Eli is. Eli is a big neutered orange fellow who can very well take rough play and give it right back. Kismet, the other dog, can’t be bothered with Spencer and while Spencer does try to entice him to play, Kis just turns and walks away. I’ve always had both dogs and cats and it’s common to see a sleeping dog and cat all cuddled up next to each other.:sleepy: Having a cat as a companion to your dog is another suggestion to consider.
 
Well, great!

Just when I'd convinced myself to not get a 2nd pup for Bacca, I come across this thread...and you all have me second-guessing myself all over again! :smile2:

Timber was an only child (though he had two cats to play with from the start). But they died before he did (I don't think he really missed them).

Bacca is an only child and seems to be doing fine. He's well adjusted, etc. so I decided to hold off on no. 2. Maybe not.....:confused2:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top