Yes, I have to have another dog. I will for sure! It has to be a sable and white female puppy. It took ever so long to find that with Trixie because no one wanted to sell female puppies so when I'm ready, I'll be asking and looking!
Trixie unexpectedly said goodbye
- Thread starter Katrina
- Start date
ghggp
Moderator
You might try…
https://www.americanshetlandsheepdogassociation.org/
Also, the Sheltie Nation has a home page link to rescues. Maybe try to foster?
You could also try obedience centers and your vet. Thanks hey might be able to get you in contact with other Sheltie owners in your area
Like Lisa, I have three. My first Sheltie was a female and when I lost her a was inconsolable. Ever since, I have always had three to ease the blow of a loss…
https://www.americanshetlandsheepdogassociation.org/
Also, the Sheltie Nation has a home page link to rescues. Maybe try to foster?
You could also try obedience centers and your vet. Thanks hey might be able to get you in contact with other Sheltie owners in your area
Like Lisa, I have three. My first Sheltie was a female and when I lost her a was inconsolable. Ever since, I have always had three to ease the blow of a loss…
I have only had two dogs in my entire life. My remember when I first got my first dog, Lexy. I wanted a girl but they only had a boy and I was like I want him! He was a good dog but Trixie was so much better! I will always want a girl and I always want a Sheltie. I wish I could do more with them! I wanted to make her a pet therapy dog and she would have been great at that but she was just so old this past fall and despite her being super gentle and loving people, my daughters were super worried about it stressing her out and making her life shorten since she wasn't used to it. I conceded.
I want to do flyball. Or participate competitively. I just don't know how to get involved ... so I am glad to be here and with the new puppy eventually jump into that. I'll be looking for groups that do this ... I'm sure somehow I can find that for the future.
I've never known anyone take care of their dog like I did for my two. I read Sheltie Talk before I got my first dog and I learned all the grooming tips and I read all about breeds before I even decided on the Sheltie. I had never seen one before but after reading about them, I was sold.
I do remember however the heartbreak even after waiting the recommended 1 year after my Lexy died (he suffered that last year from 11 to nearly 12). He had a tumor I removed but then a year later, he got bladder cancer. They removed as much as they could but of course, they couldn't get it all and I carried him in diapers for a month until he got to that point where Trixie was with the not moving and standing in one spot looking at me, like It's time.
Yet, with Lexy, I picked him up and laid him on his bed and he never moved from it for two days. Still, he kept breathing so then that last day I had to call the vet and they came to the house to give him a shot. It was heartwrenching. I just couldn't do it. I know I was spared all of that with Trixie but I don't care at least not right now because I want her back. You know?
Anyway, I remember my search for Trixie and finally finding her as a puppy. I remember that first night home and her jumping at me at the same spot she said goodbye just two days ago. I remember the look of happiness in her eyes and I remember the tears I had as I thought of the hard journey for that first year of puppy with training, doing her ears, and all that. At that time, I remember like it was yesterday, I really didn't know with how I could possibly love another dog as much as I did Lexy because even though he had been gone nearly a year and a half, seeing this new puppy it definitely wasn't easier ... so in my deep deep grief over Trixie, I remember that feeling. It felt so powerful. How in the world could I possibly love another dog as much as I did my first, Lexy. How. And still, here I sit and I would have told you last week even, Trixie was a better dog in absolutely every single way over Lexy. She just was. Lexy was great. Trixie was better.
As I sit right now, I cannot imagine another dog even meeting that standard. Was it because I was better at training? Was it because I had went through all the mistakes with Lexy and just like with a second kid, you learn what works and what doesn't? Was it the trauma bonds from the massive problems Trixie and I faced during her lifetime? I know for a fact that the trauma bonds were huge and I just want my best friend back.
I know I will get another Sheltie. My eldest daughter jokes but means it that she could see me with three in the future. lol I never think of myself as that ... because I love having just one. I did mention that maybe it would be easier if we had had two Shelties at slightly different ages so I would still have a pet during this time of loss but then again, I don't think so. I've been considering that the past day and I can see people's point of view that it does help but honestly, dogs bond too and if I had a second one, it's not like she wouldn't be sad to lose her best friend too. So, I just sit here and think ... death sucks. That's just the gist of it. BUT, 12 years of being with your best friends DOESN'T suck and that encourages me.
I still can't sleep. I still see her and feel her around me. The girls still miss her. It's only been two days. Like the hardest thing for me right now is not being able to do the "elevator" with her. She couldn't do stairs ever and for sure couldn't the last 2-3 years so this new townhouse this past year, she was trained to come to the step and sit in my arms while I took her up and down. I know a new puppy cannot do that nor should it. You'd want it going up and down stairs so I know that's over and that makes me sad.
Then again, I have images of the long lead I would tie around my waist when I was training both puppies each time. Keeping them at my feet as I went around the day so they were learning to behave but also learning to trust me. That part makes me happy.
I know it's not time yet as we are grieving but I know the sadness will ebb but man, death just sucks. I still think sudden is so hard. I just had absolutely NO idea. None. I mean, she ate a full meal. She drank. She bathroomed properly. She drank again. She snuggled during my morning quiet time and journal writing. She came over for a proper pet and looked in my eyes which she always always does. Then, she went away and wasn't herself again. I mean, she had the best life ever. I know that. That's one thing about just having one dog. And nothing else in the house. I was able to give her absolutely everything she needed since having more pets costs a lot. You know?
Anyway. I appreciate this opportunity to talk. I visited her grave today and just sobbed. I can't figure out how to post a photo yet of her but when I can, I will. Maybe not everyone grieves this deeply but I know this is worse grief than I had with Lexy. I still needed her.
I want to do flyball. Or participate competitively. I just don't know how to get involved ... so I am glad to be here and with the new puppy eventually jump into that. I'll be looking for groups that do this ... I'm sure somehow I can find that for the future.
I've never known anyone take care of their dog like I did for my two. I read Sheltie Talk before I got my first dog and I learned all the grooming tips and I read all about breeds before I even decided on the Sheltie. I had never seen one before but after reading about them, I was sold.
I do remember however the heartbreak even after waiting the recommended 1 year after my Lexy died (he suffered that last year from 11 to nearly 12). He had a tumor I removed but then a year later, he got bladder cancer. They removed as much as they could but of course, they couldn't get it all and I carried him in diapers for a month until he got to that point where Trixie was with the not moving and standing in one spot looking at me, like It's time.
Yet, with Lexy, I picked him up and laid him on his bed and he never moved from it for two days. Still, he kept breathing so then that last day I had to call the vet and they came to the house to give him a shot. It was heartwrenching. I just couldn't do it. I know I was spared all of that with Trixie but I don't care at least not right now because I want her back. You know?
Anyway, I remember my search for Trixie and finally finding her as a puppy. I remember that first night home and her jumping at me at the same spot she said goodbye just two days ago. I remember the look of happiness in her eyes and I remember the tears I had as I thought of the hard journey for that first year of puppy with training, doing her ears, and all that. At that time, I remember like it was yesterday, I really didn't know with how I could possibly love another dog as much as I did Lexy because even though he had been gone nearly a year and a half, seeing this new puppy it definitely wasn't easier ... so in my deep deep grief over Trixie, I remember that feeling. It felt so powerful. How in the world could I possibly love another dog as much as I did my first, Lexy. How. And still, here I sit and I would have told you last week even, Trixie was a better dog in absolutely every single way over Lexy. She just was. Lexy was great. Trixie was better.
As I sit right now, I cannot imagine another dog even meeting that standard. Was it because I was better at training? Was it because I had went through all the mistakes with Lexy and just like with a second kid, you learn what works and what doesn't? Was it the trauma bonds from the massive problems Trixie and I faced during her lifetime? I know for a fact that the trauma bonds were huge and I just want my best friend back.
I know I will get another Sheltie. My eldest daughter jokes but means it that she could see me with three in the future. lol I never think of myself as that ... because I love having just one. I did mention that maybe it would be easier if we had had two Shelties at slightly different ages so I would still have a pet during this time of loss but then again, I don't think so. I've been considering that the past day and I can see people's point of view that it does help but honestly, dogs bond too and if I had a second one, it's not like she wouldn't be sad to lose her best friend too. So, I just sit here and think ... death sucks. That's just the gist of it. BUT, 12 years of being with your best friends DOESN'T suck and that encourages me.
I still can't sleep. I still see her and feel her around me. The girls still miss her. It's only been two days. Like the hardest thing for me right now is not being able to do the "elevator" with her. She couldn't do stairs ever and for sure couldn't the last 2-3 years so this new townhouse this past year, she was trained to come to the step and sit in my arms while I took her up and down. I know a new puppy cannot do that nor should it. You'd want it going up and down stairs so I know that's over and that makes me sad.
Then again, I have images of the long lead I would tie around my waist when I was training both puppies each time. Keeping them at my feet as I went around the day so they were learning to behave but also learning to trust me. That part makes me happy.
I know it's not time yet as we are grieving but I know the sadness will ebb but man, death just sucks. I still think sudden is so hard. I just had absolutely NO idea. None. I mean, she ate a full meal. She drank. She bathroomed properly. She drank again. She snuggled during my morning quiet time and journal writing. She came over for a proper pet and looked in my eyes which she always always does. Then, she went away and wasn't herself again. I mean, she had the best life ever. I know that. That's one thing about just having one dog. And nothing else in the house. I was able to give her absolutely everything she needed since having more pets costs a lot. You know?
Anyway. I appreciate this opportunity to talk. I visited her grave today and just sobbed. I can't figure out how to post a photo yet of her but when I can, I will. Maybe not everyone grieves this deeply but I know this is worse grief than I had with Lexy. I still needed her.
Ann
Moderator
I lost my first Sheltie, Scruffy, much like you did Trixie. She was 13, and fine in the morning, doing errands with me in the car as she always did. That afternoon she had a seizure and couldn't move. I rushed her to the emergency vet who kept her and called a few hours later to tell me there was a mass in her stomach I didn't know about and they recommended I let her go. I remember sobbing all the way back there to be with her at the end and for a year afterward. There are some that you never get over, the heart dogs. It certainly wasn't your fault, it was her time, and it sounds like she knew it and spared you from making that terrible decision.
To my surprise, like your Lexie and Trixie, heart dogs do come again in other dogs or puppies, when you least expect it, even though they have different mannerisms or personalities. Pixie did that for me after Scruffy, now gone too, and then Checkers, now going on 16. I hope that happens for you eventually too.
To my surprise, like your Lexie and Trixie, heart dogs do come again in other dogs or puppies, when you least expect it, even though they have different mannerisms or personalities. Pixie did that for me after Scruffy, now gone too, and then Checkers, now going on 16. I hope that happens for you eventually too.
Thank you
SheepOfBlue
Premium Member
Not sure where you are but when the time comes NAFA should show local clubs. You could even go and watch/box load probably. Be aware that while you can train you cannot even get a number before 15 months old so there is time. If you get a puppy mention that as you prefer a drivey dog vs laid back. Though my guy Sca could be very chill when not racing. He was also like yours in that no one was intimidated by him, he thought everyone was his best friend (dogs and people)
Our resident flyball Queen is pretty crazy (and is now top ten for all Shelties)
Our resident flyball Queen is pretty crazy (and is now top ten for all Shelties)
Ron Atkinson
Premium Member
I have had 3 dogs in the last 31 years one at a time, all with different personalities and all were very close to me. I still love those that have passed but I know none of mine want to ever be my last dog. They know the love and security that they have and would never want it not to be passed on. You will know when it's time and your heart always has room for 1 more.
I believe when it's my time, all mine will greet me and show me the way
I believe when it's my time, all mine will greet me and show me the way
Sharon7
Moderator
I think at a time like this a person is all over the place emotionally. Let yourself feel everything you feel, don't tamp it down. Swinging from one train of thought (the past) and what might be (the future dog) is so normal. But give yourself some time. Everyone's timeline is different, but when you are ready I believe you will know. As someone suggested, looking into a rescue in your state (not sure where you are) and volunteering to foster a Sheltie for a bit might be a way to ease into having another dog.
We lost Asta to her stroke on Sept 17 2014 and that October we were offered our Brooke's granddaughter, Faith, from her breeder. She was 2 years old. I was in absolute shocked mourning still and the decision tore at me. It seemed way too soon and disrespectful, somehow.
Hubby and I talked it over and finally decided that even though the timing seemed awful, we would be passing up a wonderful dog. And, so Faith, so aptly named, came to stay, and it really, really ended up being the best decision. All this to say, sometimes fate will put something in your path when you least expect it.
We lost Asta to her stroke on Sept 17 2014 and that October we were offered our Brooke's granddaughter, Faith, from her breeder. She was 2 years old. I was in absolute shocked mourning still and the decision tore at me. It seemed way too soon and disrespectful, somehow.
Hubby and I talked it over and finally decided that even though the timing seemed awful, we would be passing up a wonderful dog. And, so Faith, so aptly named, came to stay, and it really, really ended up being the best decision. All this to say, sometimes fate will put something in your path when you least expect it.
Cindy
Premium Member
One of my hiking spots is a local dog area. All the regulars (and their dogs) know me; I go early in the morning. It gives me warm fuzzies seeing these dogs get so excited when they see me in the distance and do the happy dog wiggle dance until I am close enough to love on them. I still have my little old man, but he can't do active stuff much, so these happy healthy young-uns fill that void.
just a thought....and less overwhelming than a dog park.
just a thought....and less overwhelming than a dog park.