Have you considered volunteering to be a dog Walker at a shelter? One of my kids did that…and really loved it.
5 Likes
This thread is very salient to me. I’m sorry for eveyone who is missing a dog, whether the loss was some time ago or recent.
My husband and I downsized to a condo over two years ago, along with our dear beagle. She adapted to our new digs and the elevator to go outside pretty well, but she got sick shortly thereafter and we lost her in October. DH was her chief feeder, walker, and meds dispenser, so the loss hit him especially hard.
This is the first time we’ve been without a dog for well over 20 years; we lost our first dog, a Saint Bernard, the same week our Only was born, and we waited until she was 8 to find another. This is the first time in decades we’re “free” to take off without arranging care for our dog, although we haven’t really done much. I really think that DH would enjoy another dog, but he isn’t responding to my gentle hints.
We’d definitely want an older dog, house-trained, and ideally one who has lived in or can adapt to apartment living. I’m hoping hubby will come around.
3 Likes
I’ve had two friends that have always opted older dogs with great outcomes. One adopted older dogs from a local rescue but the other works with an agency that works with seniors who are transitioning to nursing homes and can no longer keep their pets.
4 Likes
I have to share something cool. We have a local friend who takes in older dogs. This man created a non-profit to take care of them. He just put on a large addition to his house to accommodate the dogs. He gets each of them a memory foam mattress. Lucky dogs to get all that love.
17 Likes
These pictures and stories!
Lots two dogs recently and it has been so hard. Trying to limit the idea of another dog in the near future (as need to travel in next few months). But wow, there is nothing like having a pup in your home. 
Um no apartments in my area accept pets. Nor do condos. I am taking care of an elderly parent and when I am no longer needed for that, moving to a place where I can have a dog is a priority. In the meantime, I dog sit and talk to dogs on the street, usually ignoring the owners 
3 Likes
Not during COVID.
1 Like
My comment was meant as a joke. (Hence the emoji). I am sorry if it didn’t come across that way. I certainly realize that not everyone has a living and/or life situation allows them to have a dog. I am a caregiver for an elderly parent as well, so I completely understand.
5 Likes
We have had two sets of two dogs.
The first two were siblings that we raised from 8 weeks old until 16 & 18 years old.
The second pair are a bit more than one year difference in age. The female is older than the male. They are very close and very playful with one another.
Both pairs were / are mixed breed labs adopted from shelters. Both pairs were, & are, happy and active.
When raising more than one at a time, they get to enjoy both the animal world & the human world. Also, they entertain one another. The only downside is that I am often out-voted 2 to 1.
4 Likes
I walk my brother’s Husky. Convenient as he lives across the street. This dog is 15, has always had ‘sibling’ dogs, and couldn’t care less about them. The other dogs chase balls and ropes and like bones, but not Mr. Husky. He buries bones, like a cartoon dog. He has no interest in other dogs and doesn’t want to walk with them. I can’t walk the other dogs together as they are too big to handle two at once (they are huge, at least 20 lbs overweight, each), so I don’t think it is easier to have two dogs than one.
The husky was pretty fascinated by the radio controlled car buzzing around the park yesterday, but doesn’t play with other dogs.
1 Like
I know you’re not looking for an answer, but I can’t help myself 
…consider fostering!
4 Likes
Aren’t they the greatest? We couldn’t have imagined a better dog for our family.
1 Like
My daughter just sent me this photo, the friend I mentioned above who rescues Saint Bernard’s and fosters puppies year round has some company coming tonight.
10 Likes
Pet-friendly apartments are pretty common in this area. My daughter’s rental allows pets, and lots of the residents (lots of millennials) have them. Our condo is in a 55+ community and many of our neighbors have dogs and/or cats. We miss our sweetie every day when we run into them walking their doggies (several have pairs of siblings).
2 Likes
Oh my, 3 cuties! What a great thing she is doing!
1 Like
Yes, it’s funny (poignant, I mean) how tied down we always were, at least from spur-of-the-moment travel,and now that we are not, we don’t really have a desire to go anywhere. Although I guess Covid didn’t help.
2 Likes
I lost my heart to a military macaw when we lived in LA, but a macaw wasn’t practical for us because we live mostly in apartments. Instead we acquired a (quieter, smaller) dusky pionus, who is now 30 years old. Similar to your bird, our pionus has no doubts regarding her status as senior animal in the family. She generally ignores the dogs but will give them a quick bop on the nose if they venture into territory she regards as hers. I am sure you will reach the right decision and find the right dog to join your flock.
1 Like
A dog thread, I love dog threads/pics.
Seriously though, since this is a college forum. I sent my DD dog with her to college when she moved off campus. Dog woke up at two in the morning and ran to the back door growling and barking, scared whomever the person was off trying to break in. IMO small dogs are much better alert dogs than say a Lab or Golden.
9 Likes
Is this a Coton @CU123?