Thinking Pets (Maggie)
posted by Maggie Shayne
on
Thursday, March 27, 2008
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Look at these adorable puppies. My daughter called to tell me she'd seen an ad for some just like them in the paper, and she thought I should know. Well, at first I wasn't overwhelmed. They're English Mastiffs. I'd spoken of wanting a bull mastiff, and I wasn't ready just yet.But then I went online and looked up the breed, and I think I've fallen in love. They're just too adorable. And I'm so missing having a dog in my life.
Dogs are special, and I'm really lonely without one. People let you down, over and over it seems, but dogs just never do. They love you, they don't hold it back from you or make you earn it. They love you on good days and even more on bad days. They're always there when you need them, and even when you don't. I think I need a dog. I've missed my pals. No one loves you like a dog does. And I kinda need that right now.
I thought the pups were ready to go from what my daughter read in the paper. I decided to phone, even though I knew I couldn't take one yet. I wanted to know if there would be another litter later in the year. But it turns out, they won't be ready to go for 8 weeks--they've just been born. There are two males left unspoken for, but they're going fast. It seems like the timing might be perfect. So should I go for it?
These dogs have some peculiarities. The main one being size. Adults males average 200 pounds. I love big dogs, but that's a LOT of dog. And the other thing is that they tend to have short life spans. They live 6 to 8 years. That's buying into guaranteed heartbreak, isn't it?
Then again, I guess there's no guarantee any pup I bring home is going to live a given amount of time. And I ask myself, wouldn't six or eight years of unconditional doggy love be worth it in the end? I just lost Sally and Wrinkles. And it hurt, but I wouldn't trade my time with them to spare myself the pain. So I guess that answers that question.
I'll need to fence in the yard and install a doggy door the approximate size of a garage door, I guess. Can I do all that in 8 weeks? Maybe.
What do you think? Should I get an English Mastiff pup, soon to be an English Mastiff Horse? I've always loved big dogs!
Maggie
Patricia Potter
Tara Taylor Quinn
Maggie Shayne
Anne Stuart
Suzanne Forster
Lynn Kerstan
12 Comments :
Just one question...how big is your bed? Maybe you need to get a bigger one! LOL
If your ready, I'd say "Go For It"!
I didn't realize they were quite that big.
Maggie,
YES. Unequivocacly. YES. Taylor has saved my life more than once this past year. For all the reasons you say. She's here with my now, on this cold and rainy day, just waiting for me to get up and move so she can watch whatever it is I'm going to do next.
Not that you need any of us to validate the decision you know you've already made!
What we should be talking about is what is his name going to be???
By the way, I got Tay just four days after I lost my beloved Quinnby - he was killed at my feet at my desk by a visiting, much bigger dog. A fan had a litter and shipped Tay to me. I really believe it's never too soon. It's not a replacement for what was lost, it's just going on with the future. I still cry for Quinn sometimes. More, I took Tay to his grave and introduced them immediately and have always talked to her about him.
Maggie,
Those are B-I-G dogs! We saw one once, he was so sweet, and rolled around on the ground like he was a little puppy.
Go get yourself some doggie love!
Dear Lord, I had no idea how big they were. But Maggie, if you're in love you're in love. And the timing does sound right, right?
I suppose an option it to gets dibs on a female from the next litter, if the females are smaller, but I don't think that's what your heart is telling you to do!
Hugs and good luck,
Suz
Yes, of course get a dog, and quick quick quick. Nothing better than sloppy doggie licks.
Have a friend who had a dog of the breed you're contemplating. Lovable, short-lived. The real issue is control, which means sheer brute strength - on your part. The dogs already have the muscle part covered. I'd think about this. Maybe try walking one of full growth. Training is good, but there's always that hard-wired base of the brain.
Maggie,
I had no idea how huge that breed of dog was. Think of it this way, you are a single woman living alone, who in their right mind would ever think of breaking and entering. He would be an excellent guard dog. His life may be short lived, but you would give him the best years of his life.
I totally think you should go for it.
Sherry
I think there is a whole lot more dog for you to love and to love you.
I think you should wait.
It is too soon.
Have you even properly mourned the loss of your other dogs?
Many jump into it thinking they need to instantly replace the one they lost, only to resent the new one...
Update: I spoke to the woman with the two male pups that were still available, and one of them didn't make it. They're only five days old, so she wants me to wait a week before coming all the way out there to see them, or taking any deposit from me. However, she's giving me first dibs on the remaining pup. No one will beat me to him. So I'll call her next week and see if I can get out to see them the following weekend.
Anonymous--I've mourned the loss of my dogs every minute of every day and night for the past five weeks. But this isn't the first time I've lost a pet. Not to mention a mother and several dear friends. So I do understand the grieving process enough to know if I'm ready for another dog or not. I'm not nineteen, after all. (I know I look it, but really....)
:)
Sheesh, Maggie, I saw that last pic and thought HOLY CRAP, who photoshopped the dog into that picture! You're going to need a saddle! I've heard of thinking big before, but this is ridiculous. ;)
Seriously, I'm glad you've found someone new to bring into your circle of love.
Lorna
It's never too soon to get a new dog after losing one. I learned that forty years ago when I lost the first one. Got another the next day. There's something about loving and reassuring a new pup (or rescue dog) that helps the hurt. Never ever did I resent the new one. It's not replacing a friend in your heart, it's enlarging your heart.
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