My mom needs some advice. She walks dogs at the animal shelter sometimes on Sundays. And now she thinks she found me a little brother there. My dad does not think I need a little brother.
This is Eddy Rocket - his picture from petfinder.com. He is a rough-coated Jack Russell/toy fox terrier mix. He is one and a half years old and was found as a stray. He is about half my size. He is an excellent digger and has an impressive vertical jump.So my mom likes this dog so much that she was crying all week and couldn't sleep, and my reluctant dad finally went to the shelter on Saturday (without telling her) to meet Eddy Rocket. He told her that he went and then later that afternoon we all went over to hang out with him and see what I thought. Eddy is just like me. He's aloof, independent, likes to pee on stuff, and does his own thing. We barely paid any attention to each other because there was plenty to sniff, inside and outside.
I am definitely the alpha dog and Eddy was cool with that. He has a lot of energy but he didn't seem super-crazy like a lot of Jack Russells. He didn't jump up on people and he was even kind of laid back, but not timid.
When I hang out with my friend Rosie, we pretty much ignore each other too, and then flop down and take a nap together. My people always considered me an "only dog" and my dad is very reluctant to change that. My mom only wants a second dog because she loves Eddy Rocket so much. My dad is not crazy about him. (He thinks he's a "fu-fu" dog (no offense to our beloved hamsterrier friend) and not manly enough or something.) He also says his back legs look weird. They kind of look like frog legs because they are long and thin. My dad knows that this means a lot to my mom, which is why he went to the shelter, but he doesn't really want to adopt him. They both know that it would be a really big time investment to train him and give him enough exercise - they had to go through it with me! My dad would have to help a lot because right now my mom's schedule is pretty busy. My mom adores Eddy so much that it maybe clouds her judgment, and she wants to do the right thing, and she wants to be fair to me. After all, she has loved me for five years.
My dad brings me to work with him a lot, which is great, but he doesn't think he could do that with two dogs, and he doesn't want to leave Eddy crated at home.
Do I want a Mini-Me? What do you two-dog families think? Is my mom being disloyal to me and to wire fox terriers in general?
29 comments:
It sounds like you and Eddy Rocket seem to get along fine so that is a "pro" vs. con. My mom has always had "pairs" and would not have it any other way. As in her email to your mom one does have to be careful with two terriers especially two male terriers but so far things look good. I think it is hard for me to be partial b/c mom loves JRTs so much - if your dad is worried about having a FUFU dog I can attest that the JRT or JRT miss certainly not fufu in ANY way!
I hope you get a new bro!
xo
OK...Teka is a JRT. In some ways, she is the bestest thing that ever happened to me. In other ways, well......she is a pain in the patoooie.
Tell your dad the legs are normal for JRTs. Watching Teka from behind (and in our family, she is ALPHA, so I am usually behind her) her froggy legs are pretty funny. But if you look closer, you can see how well defined her muscles are, and those muscles make the vertical jump possible.
Teka also keeps me company when muzzer and dad are gone. Now that she is older, she doesn't have to stay crated any more, and we cuddle up on the sofa together for naps and stuff. And, she makes sure I get enough exercise, because she loves to play chase.
Those are the good parts. Here are the problems. She is very jealous, and tries to get between me and muzzer in the bed. She tries to steal my food and treats. Sometimes when we are playing, she gets rough and bites my ears.
We think Eddy Rocket is a cutie. But your mom and dad need to agree. When Teka came to stay with us, Dad was all ready to keep her forever. Muzzer was not so sure. It has taken almost a year for muzzer to get over that problem, and even now, she likes me better. But how could she not. I am, after all, the Gussiemeister!
Gus Dagger Wft
Ok, you know my girl wanted to get me a little brother and she asked my breeder for another male Irish and my breeder said NO WAY. She said that although she knows I'm super wonderful in every way, that there was no way she could be sure of another male once he was all grown up. She said no responsible terrier breeder would place 2 males with the same family because she said when the 2nd male was somewhere between 10 months to 2 years old that we would just look at each other wrong and then we could never be trusted alone ever again and that we'd have to have completely different areas of the house and so on. However, I get along great with my buddy Romare. We even take naps together sometimes. The only time Romare ever gets mad at me is if I have to ride in the back of his car with him (too crowded). So I was wondering how old Eddy Rocket is? I know you get along fine now, but what if he goes bonkers when he gets older? My girl still wants to get me a little sister, but that's not going to happen until she finds a new job. What do you think about getting a sister instead? My breeder says that when I do get a sister that she will be alpha over me but I'm okay with that. I'd just like having another dog around. Sorry no actual advise based on experience to offer since I'm still an only fur-child. This is just the stuff that I've been told on the same topic.
Woof,
Keeley
Lenny, our pawrents used to always have only 1 dog at a time. Then they found out how much more fun it is to have more than 1. For almost 8 years, it was just me (Poppy) and Penny. We kept each other company when our pawrents were gone and we played zoomies and bitey face when they were home. Just think...if Eddy Rocket comes to live with you, you will have company in the closet when all the spring storms start!
Right now, there is a PetSmart commercial with a JRT in a shopping cart and our mom says if she ever saw that dog, she would HAVE to take him home!
Aire-hugs,
Poppy, Penny & Patches
I think it was very nice for you... A new brother in your life can be very stimulant...
Paws
Yogui
Hi, Lenny!
Sounds pawesome that you can bring home Eddy. I know it will take time and effort to "educate" him but then things will be easier.
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
Gosh Lenny, what a dilemma for your pinkies. Mine always thought I'd be a solo dog. After a while they thought a little sister would do me good so I got Willow. Then things got out of hand hahaha and now I have 3 sisters as you know. They now know that I don't need company at all but they love my sissies as much as me so for us all is good.
I don't really have an answer for you after all that except having more than one dog does change things and that is being honest.
tailwags
Noah
My Mommy would love to get me a sibling but Daddy says no way. Mommy thinks as long as y'all get along & your pawrents agree on it then it's a great idea. Sorry I can't give you any better advice.
Hugs & Snugs,
Eduardo the Snuggle Puggle
Hi Lenny,
I think I understand your concern -- after all, I was an only dog for four years before Mom learned of Just Harry's need to be rescued. I remember she and Dogdad had long long conversations about what to do. All the pros and cons you can imagine. Basically they decided that -- if we got along when we met on neutral territory, which we did -- that they would adopt me. Their primary reason -- other than feeling such concern for my situation -- was that it would be good for me to have another dog to hang out with. And that has turned out to be true. JH can be a pain -- he's more outgoing than I am, and always wants to play or tease me or steal my toys (not my food, thank dOG). But we have tons of fun together and, according to Mom and Dogdad, two are not really much more effort than one.
We've heard the myth that two males don't do well together -- but we don't think that is borne out in real life. Not to disrespect our female friends, but it seems that females can be more trouble than males. Ooops!!!
As for being "fufu" -- there's nothing fufu about any terrier -- so I'll give your dad a loud terrier growl on that one.
We don't think any dog should be left alone in a crate for more than a short time, if at all -- so your mom and dad will have to work that one out. But we're left alone together for several hours, free to roam, and other than a few unexpected incidents -- a chewed book or pencil shavings or things like that -- nothing unseemly happens.
I hope this helps! Let us know what you decide. (And if you want to know how it all unrolled for two male wires, check out our earliest posts.)
Wirey wire love,
Jake
Hi Lenny,I'm an only dog too and I know I want to stay that way even though Mom gets broody for a rescue wiry sibbyfor me but Dad says no way!!
I guess I would say it's really important both legeddeds agree as Dad will be the one looking after Eddy most of the time and maybe Mom's schedule might get more hectic with 2 dogs?!!! But I'm sure you will decide the right thing for you all.Sorry,not
very helpful.
Wiry wags, Eric xx
Wow, tough one. Mom and Dad are hoping to buy a house this year and have pondered getting me a sibling too, but ultimately for the short term at least, Mom has squashed the idea mainly becos of time investment and cost. She prefers to foster more often like the time Boo came over. Dad wants a big dog like a Rottie. Mom is not into it at all. I'll be watching what transpires here with interest...as it sounds like Dad will have to be with Eddy a lot more than Mom, doesn't sound fair to adopt him if he's not very into it....eek. I'm sure Eddy can find a lovely home elswehere and is not in danger of being put down...that would be a whole different story...
Good luck!!
Ax
It took me awhile to adjust to Mitch, Lenny, and you and I are the same age! Sometimes it's not easy having a much younger brother because they want to play a lot and we like to sleep a lot but I do love my little brother - a lot!
Love ya lots,
Maggie
Well dearest boy there are certainly pros and cons!!! The company is great but you have to make sure you really get along otherwise it can be a bit of a problem( not of course that we would know anything about that) and there is the jealousy thing like Gussie said....There is the other factor of cost....2 is more expensive than 1!! Having said all of that it is alot of fun and we keep each other company,but we agree with whomever said it above..your Dad and Mom have to agree.... Good luck!! Love and a thousand kisses A+A
Well, my mama's a social worker and she says that if both pawrents don't fully agree it's not the best thing. If your pa is still hemming and hawing, perhaps your ma can help Eddy Rocket by sponsoring him? Do they have a program like that, where people pay a set amount every month to a dog or cat in a shelter to help defray the costs of caring for the pet? Perhaps that's a way your ma can assure that Eddy Rocket continues to get good care while he's there: She'll not only help Eddy Rocket, she'll help the rescue owners which in turn helps all the other doggies! She should ask if they have a sponsor program like that until both she and her hubby agree one way or another!
The quality of life of the first dog (you) will increase a lot. This is what my vet told me and this is true. My little brother Dyos is the best "energizer" for me....
But the other doggies are right : 2 is more expensive than only 1. But you are small dogs you don't eat a lot do you ????
Kisses, Faya & Dyos
we aren't very good influences on your mom & dad because we live in a family of 4 dogs! so of course we are going to say GET EDDY ROCKET! we know that we love to play with each other and we keep each other occupied and out of trouble. we don't chew on the house because we chew on each other. and when mom goes to work (when she used to have a job) and leaves us home alone, we are just fine because we have each other to play with.
again, being poodles, we are probably the extreme foofoo dogs, but our mom is a chick, so we gues that's okay. foofoo is cool, doncha know. we know lots and lots of MANLY MEN who have poodles. so we MANLY MEN can have poodles, we think your dad can have a JRT.
if your mom loves Eddy Rocket so much, and Eddy Rocket needs a home, and you all get along together, then we say GET HIM!
just our opinion - cuz you asked.
woofs.
A drooly advice: DON'T!
Your Dad can only bring one dog with him. Your Mom is super busy. You enjoy being spoiled and you deserve it.
Your Mom can still walk and visit Eddy in her spare time. You and your Dad can do that too. But to have Eddy there and later pose problems might not be fair to Eddy.
Eddy deserves his own special care and he deserves it too.
Isn't life simple?
Now, don't say I did not warn you.
Hey Lenny, what a dilemma! J1 would have a house full of rescue dogs if I let her but J2 and I prefer a one-dog only household. I agree that your humans both need to be behind this idea or it won't work. But what do I know? I'm just a grumpy old dog. J x
I hope your mom is enjoying walking th dogs. I would say this. Obviously my ma ape is NOT good at saying no. That's how I got my brudder. But she has learned that, unfortunately, great shelter dogs are in endless supply. She falls in love a LOT and cries a lot when a dog she loves gets adopted. (Our shelter is--in practice--no kill). But there will always be more wonderful dogs.
That said, my ma ape loves having a multiple dog household because each of us has our own personality and we keep each other company.
There are pros and cons (I'd say the biggest con is probably the other ape who is uncertain--if he's unhappy the new guy will probably sense it). Is there any way you could foster him for a few weeks first?
wally t.
Hey, Lenny!
I totally understand why your mama's interested in Eddy Rocket. It's obvious he's got her attention.
All of the other pups have given you good things to think about. Overall I agree with Wally. If you could foster him for a few weeks to see how it would be, then you'd know if you two really got along and how it would affect your peeps. The fact that your dad isn't too excited about Eddy is something to think about, especially since he'll be the hooman most responsible for him.
I wish we could give you something more helpful to go on. I think most dogs do like to be in a pack, even if it is just one other dog. But, I also think there are some dogs who do better as the only dog in the family.
Let us know what you all decide. We'll do whatever we can to back you up, man.
Goober love,
Stanley
There are three of us, and we wouldn't have it any other way. We get along great and keep each other company when the family is at work or school. Yeah, it's a juggling act, but worth it. :)
Happy Tails,
William Tell, Cap and Glynn
I joke about it a lot, but I honestly do not like Tanner. BUT Tanner doesn't seem to care and I don't really seem too upset about him living in my house. We just do our own stuff and every once in a while I might play with him for like one minute and then the rest of the time I totally ignore him. I think 2 dogs can live together, but separate. Tanner and I do it!
Hmm....
Well...Lenny,
We terriers can't imagine life without the others. Our bruvver said after seein' the three of us play that he'd always want another doggie...Scruffy's breeder said the best thing you can get a dog is a tiny wadin' pool and another dog to keep company.
That said, two are more expensive...specially if ya own Lacie;...(her middle name at the vets is KA CHING...like the cash register...) we highly recommend pet insurance! Even the very basic plan...
Will two boyz fight? It totally depends on the dogs....Scruffy and Stanny would never fight...Scruffy is scrappy but he's afraid of Stan...now if ya brought in another girlie dog??? HAHAHAHAHAHA! Stan's real sissy was here visitin' one day...um we got into a ginormous fight...but I AM ALL OVER THE ALPHA ROLE!! Evidently so is she.
As for our dad..well...mumsie told him bout me the day before she drove to Philly to pick me up. Stanny well...they almost got a DEE VORCE over Stanny...the funny thing is Daddy adores him...he holds him on his lappers like a 55lb baby watchin' tv...it's hilarious...
Mumsie said two was less work than one...three is more work than she likes to think about...somethin' bout the mud on Stan's big Dale paws...(plus she's never had a dog she couldn't lift...makes it harder to toss em in the sink...he doesn't fit in a sink!)
Good luck on ur decision...we hope this helps!!! That Eddy is such a cutie...trust me JRT's are NOT fufu dogs...we watched one bolt over a 5 foot fence at the dog park...we were soooooo jelly!!!
Barkin' at ya Lenster!!
Laciegirlie...XXOOXXOO
Yes yes yes!
The more the merrier!
yes, so you will have a mete to share all your doggy knowledge.
I recently acquired a sister from rescue. I quite like having the company and I knew there was enough love to share.
I'll get her to drop by and you can read about our introduction to each other.
Good luck with your decision and paws crossed that you mum will influence your Dad and give another nice dog a good home.
George
Hallo Lenny, my big brudder George told me to stop by and advocate rescuing a good companion for you. I am very grateful that George let me into his home to become one of the family, I've been here for 4 months and feel like I've always been here.
Good luck!
Velvety Kissies
Sophie
Well I'd do anything to have a little bro, I'm stuck with 3 little sisters and they drive me nuts.
My Mama always says that people don't "pick their pets, their pets pick them," and it sounds like Eddy Rocket picked your mom.
Tell your dad to suck it up and make your mom happy!
C-ya,
Murphy Dogg
OK..Lenny...ya gotta let us know what the consensus is...inquirin' dogs wanna know!!
Love and kisses...Laciegirl
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