add another boxer to the fam? (long)

[Kali's Mom]

Two of course!!!!

BE Marley...you and I actually live in the same city. If you're ever wanting to get together just let me know. Then you could see how my 2 girls can't possibly live without each other. My husband was the one that needed convincing. Even tho Kali was getting on his nerves with the constant need of attention, he wasn't two sure about getting another one. We weighed the pro's and cons and well, we adopted Gia this past Feb. Kali is 2yrs old and Gia will be 2 in Dec. Let me tell you, they are the best of friends. In fact, hubby said just the other day, if something was to happen to one of them the other would be totally lost. Kali still adores me and cuddles with me but she doesn't always crave my attention. We have a terribly small house also but they are not Great Danes. If you take them for walks and let them play, there will be enough room in the house to move around. But it also helps that we have a 1/2 acre lot too. You can only know what is right for you, but I think everyone that has 2 has thought about...what if it didn't work. Then after they had the 2nd one join their family they have no idea how they lived without him/her. Even tho we adopted Gia in Feb. it literally feels like we've had her forever. She just fits in so perfectly. Friends of ours got a Boxer back in Oct. and they bring him over to play with my girls maybe once a week. He's now considering getting a 2nd one just because he feels it would be a better fit for his Boxer (and of course he loves the breed). Once again you are more then welcome to PM me and we can hook up. I love to meet new Boxer owners! :D

Melaina-Kali and Gia

 

[busters mum]

Hi BEMarley
I think you sound a bit like me. When Im feeling emotional etc I always consider a second dog...'great for the kids, great for Buster,all the fun a new baby for mommy and daddy etc. We would make it work, and work around the financial emotional and practical problems.

But this feeling always wears off when I realise my house is much to small So is my garden. I dont have enough time or money for our family as it is.
I always quickly realise I simply wouldnt cope.

But I am happy in the knowledge that it wont be like this forever and maybe one day I could have the lifestyle of my dreams, there is no rush.

It is this doubt in you, seeking reasurance, wanting some one to tell you it will be fine that tells me it is not the right thing. You should have no doubts and be telling all of us how great it will be and how much you want it to happen and will have no regrets at all, but I dont think you can , can you?

It is o.k to ask for this reassurance but at the end of the day the people who can have 2 or more dogs wont be there in your home going through it with you. It will just be you faced with all that responsibility, care etc, (read the lists that 2 dog owners have written) Bye for now.

 

[VTbxrFan]

I went through the same debate about a month ago. I have fostered several times in the past and always enjoyed, but was also always glad to see the fosters go to forever homes so I could have "peace and order" at home again. Then we took in another foster and my husband - who swore that if we ever had a second dog it would not be a boxer and it would be a puppy - absolutely fell in love with the adult rescued boxer and wanted to keeper. I was hesitant for a lot of the reasons you are - our house and yard are tiny, and we are hoping to have a baby in the next year or so - I just felt like it might be too much all at once. But then I really started to pay attention to Dallas (my first dog), and I noticed how much happier he seemed to be having a playmate, and how he didn't need me so much. At first that made me a little sad, but then I realized it wasn't a bad thing. Now I think it will be great when we do have children - that will be another demand on our time, and at least I know Dallas won't be bored and lonely. I do still think it will be hard to walk two dogs and a baby at the same time, but if my husband isn't home, I can always rotate and take one dog at a time, which would be good because it would give me one-on-one time with each dog.

So in the end, we decided to adopt Gracie, and now I'm so glad we did. The house is louder, messier, and crazier, but Dallas and Gracie are so happy together, and that makes me happier. I will say that one of the biggest factors behind my decision is that these two get along so well - I think that's what has made it easier than some of my other fosters. As far as cost, the biggest shocker I had was boarding them. We went away for 4th of July and I'm still in a bit of shock over how much we ended up paying the kennel to board them for three nights. Fortunately I have a friend who pet sits and is really a great bargain, so usually it's not so expensive, but of course she's not always available - especially at holidays.

I'm not sure I agree with the people who say if you are questioning whether it's right, it's not. Try doing a search for my old posts and you'll see how uncertain I was. To me, it just means that you realize it's a big decision and you are thinking it through and being cautious. That's not a bad thing. But I do agree with the comments that in the end, it's a decision only you can make.

Have you ever considered fostering for a rescue? I'm the first to admit that it's not the same as owning as two, but it at least gives you a feel for what it will be like to have two in your house...and if the rescue is one that will allow foster homes to potentially adopt a foster dog, it's a great way to find the right dog for your family, and to help a dog in need when it's not the right one. I have to say I don't know that I would have permanently adopted a second dog yet had it not been for already having Gracie in our home and seeing how well she fit with our family. (Some rescues are really strict about not allowing foster homes to adopt, though. I understand the theory behind it because they don't want to lose foster homes after investing time and energy in them, but I'm glad the rescue I volunteer with isn't that way - we've had quite a few foster families end up adopting. If it's a positive experience, that just helps people who have fostered for us before recruit new foster homes.)

 

[busters mum]

I think thats a brilliant idea.

 

[Chula's Moms]

I think it's great that you're giving it so much thought. Personally, I can't imagine having two. As much as we love Chula, it's a lot of work. Sure, she'd have someone else to play with, but that's what we're here for.

Whatever your decision is, at least you'll know that you truly thought it through. Good luck!

 

[Marley's Mom]

I have two pups, Marley (how funny) and Irie. I love having the both of them since they are always occupied! It is a stress though since when one is behaving badly, the other always is as well... They are both so special to us though that I couldn't imagine only having one! The decision depends on if you can handle the added reponsibility in your life right now! By the way, how did you decide on the name Marley? We named our dogs Marley and Irie because they were a wedding present to each other and we were married in Jamaica!

 

[Barb_IA]

Having 2 is a lot of fun..BUT, a lot of work. We thought getting Loki would give Lacey a playmate to keep her busy. Well, he did play with Lacey....but, he was just as persistent about my husband and I playing with him as Lacey was. So, then we had 2 of the little stinkers pestering us....which, by the way, we didn't mind a bit.
Don't forget the added expense of having a second boxer. With all the health problems that boxers can have... would be something to consider. There are pro's and con's when having 2...just think it through before jumping into it.

Barb

 

[JennieWI]

I saw a picture of Liesel on the rescue website. She's a pretty girl. I, too, am considering getting a rescue. I'm not yet looking, though. Good luck in your decision. I'd be interested to know if you do get Liesel.

 

[BEMarley]

update....

after much thought....lots and lots of thought...we've decided to meet adorable little Liesel and see how that goes. (of course we'd bring Marley to make sure they get along....that's most important) We'll talk to the foster mom about all our concerns. And, luckily, she was the foster mom to Marley, so she knows what he's like! (to answer a previous question, Marley was his name when we adopted him...as in "bob marley" we were told)

I'll continue to keep you posted! But all this is really stressful....this might be the biggest decision I've ever made. (or so it seems right now) What will I be like when we decide to have skin babies?!

I truly appreciate all the kind words from everyone. They really have helped us out alot!

 

[Roxymyboxy]

Love having "Two furbabies"

We adopted "Trooper" 4yrs ago and he is our heart! Always thinking though how he would enjoy another his "kind" to play with.
We were blessed to adopt "Roxy" last Feb (our 1st boxer) and of course have fallen head over heels for her.....Troop is a Tibetan Terrier and is already smaller than our "big" 6mo old but they get along sooooo well I can't imagine either one without the other! They keep eachother company and sleep together...
The expense? Well, we just accept it like every other expense ggrrrrrrrrrr.
Love our babies and the enjoyment totally outwieghs the cost!
Good Luck,
Trish