I want to get a buddy for Cooper, someone talk me down

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Last October, we got [Cooper](Photobucket | Make your memories fun! pics) from the local animal shelter, he’s now around 3 years old and a great family dog.

He’s the only dog at home, loves his people (me, Mom, Sis, Nephew, and Niece), and he has a dog friend when I drop him off at my sister’s place when I go to work

He still has a lot of puppy energy (Porties mature slowly, long puppyhood) and I’m working with him on greeting other dogs at the beach, he REALLY wants to be friends and strains at the leash to get to the new buddy.

Anyway…

I’ve been visiting the shelter website regularly, just to see what other adoptable dogs are there, just out of curiosity, and one in particular really caught my attention, her name is Ripp.

She’s a 9 year old German Shepherd, normally, I wouldn’t pay much mind, but she caught my eye for a few reasons;

1; she’s a shepherd, and I love that breed
2; her coat looks striking, I almost think there might be a little Husky in there (another favorite breed)

And most importantly;
3; she’s been at that shelter for at least a month and a half now, I’m sure she’s being passed over due to her age :frowning:

I know that I’m anthropomorphizing a bit too much, but I can’t help feeling a little sad for this gorgeous girl, being passed over as being “too old”, it’s not fair for her to spend her senior years in a shelter, passed by and passed over for being “too old”

I called the shelter, and asked about her, she is healthy, and has no medical issues, and they remarked at what a sweetheart she is, and they also expressed frustration at the ageism she’s dealing with…

I’m thinking of visiting the shelter this Saturday, bringing Cooper with me, and meeting Ripp, then seeing how Cooper reacts to her, I’m sure he’ll want to be friends, he ALWAYS wants to be friends, hasn’t met anyone or any dog he’s disliked…

I figure, if I can make Ripp’s golden years happy, that’s all she’d want, a loving family and a forever home…

She’ll also have Cooper as a buddy, a pond to swim in, 50 acres of open fields to run in, a cat friend, some chickens to play with, and down at my sister’s place, a long haired chihuahua …

And who knows, maybe she can teach Cooper to greet new dogs better and how to mellow out a bit…

So, fellow Dopers, be the cold voice of reason for me, I know 9 years old is getting old for a GSD, are there any big issues I’m not seeing here?

2

I don’t think I can talk you down, rather I think go for it because I am excellent at anthropomorphizing.

However, it does say that Ripp would be good with some animals, so make sure that will be okay, not just with Cooper, but also with your sister’s chihuahua who wouldn’t be able to defend herself at all.

3

As the owner of two dogs already, and in the process of being talked into taking a German Shepherd puppy from my breeder friend “just for a little while” (we all know how that will end, lol), I am not one to tell you not to get another dog.

Some things to consider, though. Is Cooper going to be too much for her? If she is a sedate and gentle senior girl, will his enthusiasm for life and boisterousness overwhelm her? How do the other people in your life, like your sister, feel about another canine family member?

She’s standing with her hind end under her - not sure if it’s just an awkward pose/random photo moment or something indicating her back end is not as strong as it could be. No reason not to adopt her, but if she is a little arthritic, keep in mind it may limit what she will be able to do (no weekend warrior hikes in the back country).

She’s a very sweet looking dog. I applaud you for considering a rescue dog and for wanting to offer a home to an older dog. I think you should go meet her.

4

Checked out the other dogs at the shelter, if I was closer, I’d be wanting to go meet TJ.

5

I brought a Lab puppy into my home when my terrier was about 2. The lab totally exhausted the terrier. So that’s my take care comment.

But there’s a 14 yr old poodle mix at my shelter, who looks quite a bit like my poodle mix, so I’m hardly the best person to give dog advice.

Oh, one thing. I didn’t realize until I got my dog home that he couldn’t hear. Of course, I couldn’t take him back. But if I do adopt another dog, I’ll make sure his ears work.

6

Well, since you asked for cold hard reason, the dog is 9 years old, which means you won’t have her very long, and some of the time you do have with her might not be fun, or easy.

That said, it sounds like you are in a position to give her all that any dog could possibly hope for in the latter stages of her life. Whatever time she has left will be awesome from her perspective, and Karana would smile upon your kindness.

If you can handle what you know is coming eventually, then by all means go for it.

7

Just bring her home already!

8

I’m all for rescue, but the comment about hips is a good one. If she is already dysplastic/ arthritic, she’ll be in a lot of trouble very soon. Because she’s such a big dog, it will be harder on her (more weight to carry) and harder on you (ditto). If you can get her hips x-rayed beforehand you’ll know what to expect.

Also she looks like she sheds like there’s no tomorrow so be prepared for that.

9

We just lost our beloved Sadie, so I may be more sentimental than the average Doper, but I say love is not a zero-sum game. Love expands. You should be guided by rational analysis of the pros and potential cons, blah blah blah, but you know what your heart wants.

10

All good info so far, thanks everyone, oh and the shedding thing? Since Cooper doesn’t shed, Ripp can make up for that and more :wink:

It all depends on how the meeting goes, I’ll definitely keep the arthritis/dysplasia in mind

And yes, the scientist in me wants to see how she’d react to the Sea Jerky supplement the local pet store sells, it’s made with sea cucumbers, which are supposedly a good source of chondroiton, there are testimonials where older dogs rebound impressively on the stuff, Cooper loves it as a treat mainly

I may just have to buy a bag before I go and visit her on Saturday.

11

What Brainstall said. I had the same responses both to her age, and her stance in the picture.

My sense is that although you love your current dog, Cooper is not the companion you were looking for, and Ripp might be. All well and good. But if your true purpose is as you stated, a playmate for Cooper, Ripp is probably not the right choice for that role. Ripp deserves to be rescued, of COURSE she does. I’m sure every dog deserves a forever home. But if the problem of a playmate for Cooper really needs to be solved, are you ready for three dogs?

12

I think it might just be the picture (she’s standing on a bench, partly turning). It’s not a great shot for judging her form. She does look a little over weight, but I’ll bet Cooper will help get her back in shape. :slight_smile:

Ask the shelter folks about her hips. You can also see if you notice any stiffness when she walks. Ask her to sit, and see if she sits squarely, or seems stiff doing that. Of course, anything you notice could be arthritis, given her age, which can be helped a great deal now with diet and supplements.

You may find that a new home and a younger buddy give Ripp a new lease on life. More exercise, a little weight loss, a new home and she may have more time left than you think. I think it’s awesome that you’re considering it. :smiley:

13

MacTech, I’ll give you a ride if you want!! GO GET HER!!! :smiley:

14

Just go get her. And post pics.

15

One thing I haven’t seen mentioned yet in the thread: does either dog have a dominance issue? Yes, I read that Cooper is friendly. Is that in the context of another dog in his house, or just meeting other dogs out and about? Then again, I used to have a Weimaraner, and mine was dominant even in comparison with the breed. Not dominant towards people (usually, but see below), but sometimes could be suicidally dominant towards other dogs.

Since it looks like you’re going to get Ripp (pretty dog by the way!), one other thing I’d recommend is a really good dog bed for Ripp, one with a bunch of orthopedic padding. When my Weim got to about 9 or 10, she started having hip issues. Generic Rimadyl and lots of Glucosamine/Chondroiton helped, but I think the thing that kept her around for another 3-4 years was borrowing my MiL’s high-end dog bed after her Old English Sheepdog died.

(Hilarious, the first time my Weim saw the bed. MiL, “Is [her dog’s] smell going to—” Dog steps forward, slaps a front paw on the bed, pulling it out of her hands, and proceeds to curl up in it—“bother her?” Me, “I guess she likes it.”)

16

I need to think this out, not going to make a snap decision…

It’s kinda’ a funny story on how we got Cooper…

We’d been talking about getting a dog ever since Dad passed away last year, mom and I, I’ve always been a Lab/Shepherd/Husky kinda’ guy, and that’s what I wanted

Mom seemed to be the voice of reason, recommended taking it slow, doing research and avoiding a snap decision…

Guess who made the snap decision to get Cooper? Yep, Mom, a fact I constantly remind her of…

Don’t get me wrong, Cooper’s a great dog, easily tied with Valentine, the black Lab I had as a kid, and I can’t see NOT having Cooper as part of this family, I just wasn’t the one who picked him out, who made the rash, impulsive decision to get him

That was all Mom :wink:

I should probably bring my nephew and niece along this Saturday, as well as Cooper and Lazarus (my Sis’s chihuaua) to meet Ripp (Mom’s off at a teaching conference) just to see how everyone gets along

17

I understand that Cooper Loves Ice Cream!

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Not as much as he loves cherry pie.

19

As someone who has had up to 6 dogs at one time, I personally think two is very doable. I think that dogs need the companionship of other dogs. As long as you’re financially able to take on another one, why not?

StG

20

I’m gonna second this one.

My wife got a one-eyed* Lhasa Apso when we moved up here, then later “just to keep him company” rescued a mini poodle that was too old for breeding. They mostly seemed to ignore each other, even when they slept in the same boarding cage.

But the older one died not long ago and that loss has broken the hearts of everyone – especially the Lhasa. As much as we used to coax him, he wouldn’t do it; now he has suddenly learned to howl in the mornings. It’s a very sad sound.

I told my wife she could get the Lhasa a hamster (the size difference would be like a large dog compared to a human’s height) – however, the Lhasa would have to feed and clean up after his pet.:wink: My wife says she’s learned her lesson: As much as she wants to, she says she won’t get a pet for a pet.

–G!

  • Yeah, and you should have seen what he did to the six Rottweiler’s that took the other eye…:dubious: