Adding to the family

[Mai Tai]

I just found out from a friend that I have the opportunity to adopt another puppy soon.  My friends shorkie is due in 8 weeks.  It seems that while my friend has been in the hospital, (she had a baby on February 16, who was born at 26 weeks and is still in the NICU), her shorkies "got busy" (with the unexpected premature birth of the baby, she had not had a chance to neuter them yet) and now puppies are due soon. She already has her hands full and would love for me to take a puppy.  I really, really want to, but don't know if it would be the best thing for Mai Tai.  On one hand, I think he would love the company, but I am concerned to ruin a great thing.  What if the dogs do not get along?  What do you all think?  I will consider all advice, don't hold back.  Thanks everyone.

[Cash]

As long as you think YOU are ready for another puppy I say GO FOR IT!  2 yrs ago I thought I was ready and ended up giving the puppy I had bought to a friend of my daughters as I was having anxiety over having a 2nd dog in the house.  However I was working full time and already had a dog and cat with two kids and though I thought I was ready once the puppy was in the house I was a nervous wreck for some reason.  I didn't feel that way at all when we got Cash,, it was really the right time.  I think Mai Tai will love having the playmate around! Jack (my older dog) who used to play with my Mom's dog and my friend's dog now seems to ignore them all when Cash is around.  They know they belong to eachother..their brothers!    Good luck with your decision it's a big one, You'll probably have these dogs longer than you'll have your kids in your home at this point, so it's not one to take lightly.  How fun though to think you'll have two shorkies around!!  Do you think you'd get another boy, or a girl this time?

[Mai Tai]

I would have to see what is available once they are born, but I think I would like a female.  I have read that their are less dominance issues when you have two different sex dogs than the same.  I still am not sure what I want to do.  I think I am ready, but I have to be sure my husband is ready.  I don't think adding a second dog to the house is as much of a change as adding one is.  I mean, I already have to walk one, feed one, vet one, stay home for one, so having two will only increase the food and vet bills.  My concern is if they do not get along, that will be a BIG problem but one you cannot know about ahead of time.  I guess I could take the dog for a week or so to try it out and see how it flies.  I think my friend would love it if I took them all...LOL.  Anyway, thanks for your input.  It is a big decision.  I will let you know what we decide.

[Mai Tai]

oh I was wrong, my friend did not mean they were due in 8 weeks, she meant they would be available in about 8 weeks!  The pups were born yesterday, 4 in all.  She thinks they are all boys, but they are so tiny and the mom won't let them close so it is hard to tell.  Hmm, now I have a lot less time to make up my mind!  My friend has a lot of work on her hands because she will not give the dogs to anyone except people she knows well, but not all those people want puppies.  I know a man up the street from me who would probably love on and take very good care of it (as he has a 10 yr old Yorkie who is the light of his life) but she probably won't let him have one because she does not know him.  Oh boy, this is going to be fun.

[Cash]

Well if it makes you feel any better I have two boys and there are no dominance problems.  I think if you're going to have the same sex pets it's better to have two males actually than two females.. so I've heard anyway.. But you know each dog is different and you may have different responses from different people.  I know once you see those puppies you're not going to be able to resist.  Not to mention before you even had this option you were wishing you could have two.. You're so getting another puppy! 

[Mai Tai]

I have also read that two males are better than two females.  Females will fight forever and never get along if they don't like each other at first.  Sounds like human females too.  I am only soooo getting a puppy if my husband agrees.  I can pretty much get my way in most things, but I don't want to pressure him into it and make it a bone of contention for years to come.  He was totally on board with Mai Tai (though not initially), and now he is so happy we have him.  I am hoping for the same with a second pup.  I am just not sure if I want to go through it all again.   I can deal with the extra work, but if it makes Mai Tai unhappy in any way, then I will feel like I did the wrong thing.  Still lots to think about.

[Cash]

I hear you.  And you just never know what kind of bad behavior a new dog might have as well.  I can't wait to see how you will decide.

[Mai Tai]

I can't wait either.  My heart really wants one, but my head is saying, be very very careful.  Hmm, tough one.

[Ann]

Hi Karen,
Good luck with your choice. I think having to males are better too. I hope your friend and her baby are ok!!!

I have been away looking after my perants.They have been ill lately so I went over there to give their place a spring clean and make some meals for them so they only have to heat them up. Unfortunatly they live in a rented place and are not allowed pets otherwise I would get them a dog just like Toby to keep them company and give them some fun in their lives.

[Mai Tai]

Ann,

I am sorry your parents have been ill.  It would be great if you could get them a dog.  I read that older people who have pets live longer. I think it is because they have something to take care of.  Too bad they won't allow dogs in the rental.

I will let you know what I decide about the puppy.  I have pretty much decided I want one, but I do have to wait for my husbands decision too.  It would not be fair to make such an important decision alone.

My friend's baby is home on oxygen and a pulse/ox monitor.  We are all praying that his lungs heal and mature so he no longer needs the oxygen.  Thanks for asking about her.

Talk to you soon,
Karen

[codysmom]

Ann- I'm sorry your parents are ill. That stinks they can't get a pet
 Mai Tai-Good luck with you decision. Hopefully Hubby is on board with you.

[tons_911]

I say go for it!

It's actually very rare for a male dog to not except a female. I think worrying that they won't get a long is a concern, but one that is pretty rare. Give them time and they will do everything together, the puppy will follow Mai Tai EVERYWHERE!

So, Mai Tai may get a little annoyed butt hat's normal, as lnog as you still keep Mai Tai, as the dominant dog at this point it should be fine. Make sure that you give Mai Tai, in the first few months a little more attention and he should be fine. It will be nice for him to have a sister or brother, they would keep each other busy and occupied while you are away. Also training your 2nd is soooooooo much easier then your first because the new puppy follows EVERYTHING Mai Tai will do, including food and potty.

Enjoy, I will get a second Shorkie as soon as I can.

[Mai Tai]

Thanks Tons for the encouragement.  I think Mai Tai would get along with a female, I am just worried that he may not get along with a male.  My friend thinks she has 4 male puppies.  She could not get a good look the day they were born because they were so tiny, and the mom would not really let them near the puppies.  With her new baby home fromt he Nicu, I have not had a chance to discuss it much further with her.  I will let you know what I decide as I really do want another one.

[Cash]

It's too bad that we do not live in the same area.  We had a family gathering this weekend with my husband's side of the family.  Most of them have never heard of a Shorkie before and they all fell in love with Cash, At least 4 of them asked me for the # of my breeder.  Your friend would have a home for all her new babies with members of my family alone.    How cute would that be at the next family gathering... all of us with our shorkies in tow.

[tons_911]

Anytime... even boys get along. At first maybe not so much but in time for sure. I have a friend who has a big lab and 2 cats. His huge lab and 2 cats all sleep together every night in the dogs bed and kiss and lick one another all the time... Hey, if cats and dogs can get a long and sleep together, I think Mai Tai will be just fine with any dog.

Shorkie's are really good breeds with other dogs, they are dominant dogs but very loving.

Thanks Tons for the encouragement.  I think Mai Tai would get along with a female, I am just worried that he may not get along with a male.  My friend thinks she has 4 male puppies.  She could not get a good look the day they were born because they were so tiny, and the mom would not really let them near the puppies.  With her new baby home fromt he Nicu, I have not had a chance to discuss it much further with her.  I will let you know what I decide as I really do want another one.