With Charly getting older and older, it keeps coming up... should we get a puppy? I've always heard that the best puppy trainer is an old dog...they can teach the boundaries, rules of the household, and the alpha order much better than humans.
Charly certainly did an awesome job with Max. But...I still hesitate getting a puppy right now. For one thing, Charly is SO old - I think a puppy would just put too much of a strain on him.
Second, there's no such thing as a FREE puppy. Even if it doesn't cost anything up front (and we never pay for dogs - we only get mutts), there's no telling what kind of problem they might have that will end up costing BIG BUCKS! Case in point...Max wandered up to our house. Didn't cost a thing, even gas money to go get him! But because of the German Shepherd gene, he has a congenital joint problem and has to eat special food and take special supplements that cost...well, let's just say a big chunk of my salary every month. Between his "special" needs, Charly's thyroid medicine, and the usual flea and heartworm prevention, I'm in the vet's office at least once a week, picking up something. When we get a pet, we get them for life, "through sickness and health, till death do us part." They are part of our family from day one - there are no 'returns.'
And third - I'm working now! And writing more. Puppies are a LOT of work. They need a LOT of attention. There's the playtime, and the neutering time, and the "living inside for a few days and walking on leashes after surgery so they don't jump in the pond" time.
But...they're so cute. When Charly's gone, Max will be so lonely. Sure, he's got Frankie and they're big buddies, but it's just not the same. Not like him and Charly.
Well, I'll keep thinking about it, weighing the pros and cons. I wouldn't be surprised if one just shows up on our porch one day, just like Max and Frankie. Then the decision will be made for me.
One thing's for sure - my morning walks just won't be the same when Charly's gone, new puppy or not ...
