When we first had Baruska it seemed to me she was unhappy and bored and would like another dog to play with, so we got Rianna. But what has actually happened is that Bara has become the dominant dog and only rarely plays with Rianna. It's the one thing which saddens me because Rianna loves to play and we can't give her the time she wants (Which is just about 100% of her waking hours )

I agree that Georgie has now settled well and truly with you so if you did get another it should be a girl and one who is willing to be the junior in the pack, even then Georgie might from time to time have a ding dong with her, just to show he's the top dog

A few pages back I thought I was up to speed on this but you're racing ahead of me the ol' brain is beginning to suffer information overload

Totally agree with this. I think most GSDs are happy to be a single dog, or a member of a team, however the most important thing to them is spending time with YOU. They are real people dogs. If you feel Georgie is the happiest he has ever been now that he has you to himself, then there is your answer

Somehow H, I really don't think a bitch is capable of letting that happen!

That's quite sad to read what has happened in your household to poor Rianna, and I'd hate for that to be the case here if I got another

You could well be right there Kirsty, especially as he's taken to "purring" his happiness to me now! That's quite a new trait to me in a gsd, the loud purring/groaning that he does when I get down for a cuddle,never heard this before from any others, maybe that's his pure ecstasy voice?! I'll never know will I!



Thanks Jackie! Fate I think, it'll be pure fate!xxxxx Thanks for my wags and licks from my cybergirl, at least I have one of those!!xxxxx

Thanks Jackie! Fate I think, it'll be pure fate!xxxxx Thanks for my wags and licks from my cybergirl, at least I have one of those!!xxxxx[/quote]

You will ALWAYS have your Cyber Cass!xxxxx

oh Aitch, gotta tell you what happened tonight!

Paul came back from his late night lecture and he told me one of his students had a phone call in the class. At break time he asked him what was so important his phone should be on? The boy said its my friend, together we run a rescue and he was wondering where I was as he needs help cleaning out the kennels, cos no-one turned up.
So Paul talked to him more, he asked what dog we had, Paul told him about Missy and what's the next thing he said? Does Missy want a boyfriend? We've got an 8 week old jack puppy we just saved from death row.
I told Paul I don't believe it, have been talking to a lady who has been umming and ahhing about getting a friend for her only dog ! And how we always think about it whenever a boy jack needs a home.
and tonight that's what you tell me a lad at college has!

Would you credit it?

sooooooooooo are you tempted Miss E?????

we've talked about it already, before I posted and it will be a "no"

Missy's nearly 11, we think, and I don't think a puppy would be fair.
Given too - as I was talking of observing - Missy isn't that bothered by other dogs. Once she gets used to them she's ok, as she was in training - but she was always glad to be leaving them behind. She did have a "boyfriend" she was fond of, and Akita called Leo- but as soon as I gave him a treat, she was jealous.
Whenever I make a fuss of another dog she is jealous and makes a dreadful screeching noise as if someone was murdering her.
She is much happier in human company than in the company of dogs.

Now, I am home with her all day and I see how many times she sneaks off to the spare bed for a sleep, and I know when I take her for a walk, after half hour she's had enough and wants to come home. Then she goes and has another nap.

A younger dog that might pester her to play - well, I don't think it would be long before she got ratty with him. And heavens, what she'd do if I made a fuss of him
Right now she has all my attention, and she has blossomed because of it. You wouldn't know her from the dog we picked up, now.
Now whereas I don't believe dogs live in the moment completely, I also don't think they hold on to the past, except in extreme circumstances ( my first rescue to the end of her days would pee uncontrollably when she smelled a certain after shave, Missy was petrified of black dogs after one bit her - and though we worked lots with it she is still wary though no longer immediately aggressive)
But I do believe my observations show Missy's temperament. And that is happier with humans than dogs.

For all those reasons, no.
For the fact I also think anyone would rescue a puppy, no.
When we went to rescue we deliberately wanted an older jack who might have been overlooked.
Get another young 'un and I might never be able to help an older one again. That's another reason for a no.

So you haven't thought it through very well then?!!!! (Joking )
You sound VERY responsible...your doggy is lucky to have you.

Well Pat, you have more than opened my eyes with all of your posts in here, I've read each one twice, and I think my mind is made up now, BECAUSE, I just happened to mention all of this to my dog walking friends up on the green this morning, and they ALL said to leave him alone, he's a different dog now, he's very, very happy and that could be that he's loving the 100% attention he's getting now that he feels so much better without his itching skin. Then when I came home and talked to my carer lady who has an old gsd of 14, but lost her 5 yr. old bernese through illness which she had only got as company for her older dog, she told me that quite honestly, her gsd is far happier now, without the other dog, because the playing together didn't last very long, he seemed a bit "put out" after a while, and she wouldn't consider getting another now until her old girl had passed on. She looked at Georgie who was slapping his tail on the floor coz he knew we were talking about him, and said to me "look at him, do you honestly think that dog needs anybody else but YOU in his life right now?" Decision made I think!

I'm still having my homecheck done, and that way if something does come up via a foster home request, than we could give it a go, but quite honestly, that's FOUR people this morning who have told me not to, and of course, they know Georgie well, plus I've had a pm from someone on here with a little bit of advice, and that's helped me make this decision. Quite honestly, I don't think Georgie will make old bones because of his steroid over-use and the vet thinks that too, so at least this way, I can give him the best possible sunset years any dog would be happy to live out, just me and him, together, and Dave of course, but he's only here in the evenings, Georgie has me all to himself all day and I think he likes it now!

I still believe in fate though and if something comes along, some way, some how, then I won't hesitate to at least give it a try. Thanks guys, the support on here has been great as usual, and such interesting posts too!

Thank you *hugs*

When hubby and I took Missy on, we wanted to give her a good life.
Now if that meant getting her a playmate believe me we would.

But, she's had two and a half years of training and socialising and I now believe we are seeing her true temperament - and she's really not fussed to be friends with dogs.
If she loved them, I would get her a friend. No question.
Still not a pup, because of energy level differences, probably one just a couple of years younger.


I know Aitch will do the best by Georgie, whatever decision that is.
I'm glad if I've helped you Aitch to see the whole picture *hugs*