Question about Grief.

[wolfy dog]

Originally Posted by Magwart

Having a new dog-friend sometimes helps ease the loss--at least it did in my experience.

That has at least helped me. WD brought everyone back into the real dog world, which is a great thing.

[Shaolin]

I am grateful for all of you and your advice through this. My hubby has read through this thread a few times and it has helped him grieve. He had her well before I came along and his heart is still hurting, but he is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you, everyone.

As for the new pup. We had been discussing new puppies for several months. We knew she wouldn't make it to her next birthday, but we thought we had more time. My husband may be getting a job back in our hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. Initially, we might have to live in an apartment and that's where we are running into trouble. A lot of apartment buildings have very strict rules against (in their words) "attack breeds" unfortunately, that includes our favorite breed, GSDs. The hubby and I would love another SAR/Agility/Obedience dog (especially from a specific breeder I found on this forum!), but we can't make plans until we know where we are moving.

Our house seems empty. Even though Chey was an old girl, she filled our house with such love. Every night, she'd meet my husband at the door letting lose her sharp, Collie bark. This particular exchange happened every time my husband walked in the door:

Chey: *barkbarkbarkbarkbark!!!*
Hubby: "Hey! I live here!"
Chey: *barkbarkbarkbark!!!* until he could get to her and give her a scratch behind the ears.

We were going to go to the beach today, but the FD needed him for a few events today. Finn is slowly coming around, but his appetite isn't where it's supposed to be. He hung out with his best buddy, Layla, this morning after the hubby had to go to the station for an emergency and he had Finn with him. Layla's owner, our cheif engineer at the FD and a very good friend of ours, said Finn didn't really want to be bothered. They usually play tug with an old section of fire hose, but today he just didn't want to play like he usually did.

I decided to enroll him into CGC classes in October. Is now a good time to start training or should I wait until he's back to normal?

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

Shaolin ,Lucky should start training w/ an individual trainer as soon as I get my work schedule and kid schedule straightened out. Lucky seems back ,he actually was his silly self yesterday and today. hadnt seen that in a while.So as to the training Im not sure. Lucky when Id try different stuff to spark his interest would just lay down. Ill let you know how Luck does. You and your hubby take care.
Maggi