My beloved yellow lab, Biko, is now ten years old; while I love how mellow he has become as he spends most of his time lying by my feet, thumping his tail madly if I even glance his way, I am nostalgic for the old Biko. The old Biko was scarily similar to the famous Marley of “Marley and Me” (my husband I and I were recently walking him in the park and some boys pointed at him, shouting to their mom, “It’s Marley!”) - he jumped, he ate foods off of counters (with a stomach of steel - he once devoured 20 chicken wings, bones and all, with no repercussions - slept like a baby), he pulled me to a full on sprint while he was on a leash to chase a rabbit half a block away. And this is the dog who was the star of his puppy obedience class (although no one who knows him seems to believe me on this). It was a class based on food rewards. Enough said, and you know what I mean if you have a lab.
Article continues below...
In a weird way I miss the old Biko although this sweet, calm, old version is easier. Two years ago he tore his ACL (isn’t this an injury reserved for NFL football players?) and the surgery (with a long sad recovery complete with PT by my husband and me) really slowed him down. Whereas we used to run him five miles a day or throw the chuck-it for him for half an hour, he is now content with a 20 minute walk - it’s all he can handle. All this said, our sweet dog can’t live forever and I would love to clone him if I could. I have tried to talk my husband into getting a puppy now, as company for old man Biko, while he is adamant it would drive our finally mellowed dog crazy. What do you think? Should we get a puppy now while Biko is still with us? (Please say yes!)
08.07.09 @ 11:18 am
I am in a similar situation. We have an 11 year old mini poodle and I would love to clone her. She is the sweetest dog I have ever known and smart as a whip. Here name is Jezebel and there is a picture of her in the pet galleries. My husband keeps talking about us getting another dog, but he and I both know that it must be a hypo-allergenic dog like Jez due to his allergies and they are not the easiest to find at shelters and I am not in the position mindset to buy a dog. I think a puppy for our senior dogs is a good idea as it will breathe new life into theirs. Not to mention these “old” dogs can teach the “young’ins” a few of their tricks. If I could have another Jezebel that would be the best!!!
08.07.09 @ 12:21 pm
I think that it is totally acceptable, we got a new puppy when our Husky was 10 and she perked up and played with the puppy. I think it has given her more life, she now is almost 15 and is now probably on her last year.
08.08.09 @ 11:58 am
I can’t disagree more, based on our personal experience. My husband and I have a 12+ year old lab/doberman mix that we adopted from a shelter 10.5 yrs ago. About 3 years ago, we started noticing how she was “mellowing” and slowing down and thought adopting a rescue from a local group would help us deal with our Coco getting older, but also would give her a “buddy” to hang out with. We did everything we were supposed to - looked at about 12 different dogs - bringing Coco along with us to see if they had chemistry, etc. We knew a puppy would be too much - but thought an older puppy - about 9-10 mos. - would work. We finally adopted a 10 month old girl dobie - and almost immediately, Coco’s demeanor changed. She had been the only “child” for 7 years and although she liked doggie visitors - she didn’t take well to one that shared our attention - and she didn’t want to “baby” the other dog either. After a tumultuous week, my husband and I were torn. The puppy bullied Coco a bit and Coco withdrew. The last straw was when Coco started getting sick - really bad diarrhea and not eating. We took her to the vet and after lots of tests for worms, etc. the vet’s diagnosis was that she had “stress colitis” - which is basically a fancy way to say she was so stressed out by the situation - she made herself sick - severely sick. :o( She was on medication and IVs for a few days. We called the rescue group and they were great about understanding our dilemma and said we could return the puppy - it was such a rough week. We decided that we didn’t need a “replacement” for the young Coco - and that we want to focus on spoiling her in her golden years! She’s now much older and much more spoiled! ;o) But - we wouldn’t have it any other way. We really value spending time with her in her golden years, and although she doesn’t act the same she did when younger, she’s still the same dog we have loved for over 10.5 years! Some of those fun amusing things she did when she was younger have been replaced with new quirky behaviors - such as being more vocal by grunting. She’s also an even better cuddler! ;o) Our vet says she’s “in remarkably good shape for her age” - and has no health problems. I’m sure everyone’s situation is different, but for us - enjoying your first “puppy” and watching her grow into an older dog is rewarding. We’re cherishing all the time we have left with her as we grow up and grow older together! :o) Coco is the only “child” and gets 100% of our attention because that’s the way she likes it - and with all she’s given us through the years, she’s earned the right to spend her “retirement” the way she wants! So, that’s the way it will be until we one day have to say good-bye.
08.08.09 @ 5:35 pm
I just brought home a 2 yr. old rescue dog (male)who is learning so much from my 13 yr. old Cocker Spaniel(female)–he gets her to run & play more & she is teaching him “the ropes” — and some manners!
I love having 2 dogs @ a time. Hope you will have good luck as well!
08.09.09 @ 1:48 pm
YES! Get a younger dog asap…labs LOVE friends! Check petfinder.com! We have several rescues…one of which is a purebred black lab! Our old dogs teach the young ones (and me) so much! Good Luck!
08.10.09 @ 10:34 am
We have a 8 year old Schnauzer and now a 8 month old Sheltie and they do not get along. The Sheltie ( a female ) Bella seems to want all the attention and seems to be nipping constantly at the old Schnauzer when he is getting attention. We are in Dog training but they say it’s Puppy play. The good news is the older dog, Bob, does seem to have more energy. When the Sheltie gets too much I put her in Timeout. (5 min. in her crate) It seems to work
Hopefully they will be friends soon. I love them both!
08.11.09 @ 9:41 am
We had a Marley too - and it was soo hard when she finally passed at 12- when I watched Marley and me my hubby and I balled our eyes out because honestly we could have written the book - we got Mandi when we first got married- pre-kids. We also had a obediance school winner - complete with trophy that no one could believe - she also had a stomach of steel and would shred beer cans - and whatever else she could fine - she was soooo onery She was there when we brought each of our 3 babies home over a span of 10 years - and also when our parents were sick and dying she was there to comfort - guess I am saying she was part of our history and family - when she died the house seemed so empty it made it so much harder - we immediately went out and got a puppy - totally different - he is a bearded collie - and we love him to death - but when he was 7 we decided he was slowing down some and needed a friend - we got Lucy last summer and it has been fun ever since - I will always have 2 dogs now -they are buddies - although Lucy is so rotten to him sometimes- but when he has had enough he lets her know - they are such fun to watch together - and I think when the time comes Lucy will be there to help comfort us -and us her - it sure has put the spunk back in Oliver! Anne
08.11.09 @ 2:47 pm
We have a 9 1/2 year old standard poodle, Rosie, and she was the most mellow dog around. She has no health problems so that is no excuse for her inactivity. She is our 4th standard poodle and very different from any other we had. She basically lays around all day and never has played but loves people and just wants to hang out, go for walks or for rides in the car. We recently decided to get a new standard poodle puppy (the older dog’s great niece)and it is the best thing we have done for Rosie. Maisie is now 13 weeks old and Rosie is more active than she has been in years. They were running together and playing in the yard this last weekend. We got our first standard poodle when our Old English Sheepdog was 9 and we were told to put her down due to hip dysplasia. She lived to 13 and loved having a friend. She then became active and moved around. She was put down for reasons other than arthritis. I would highly suggest a puppy. It has worked for us both times!
08.13.09 @ 9:53 am
Hi, we have a red nose pitbull terrier,Madison, who is a gr8 dog, loves people,parties,& children, but not other dogs, my son lives upstairs for the past 6mos and Maddy was once his dog, nnow with wife & 2kids they r gettin a new 3mo,male pitbull..I have concerns for this animal as Maddy has never ben with aniother dog , ever, anyone have some pointers?? My husband says to put her muzzle on and wait. I love my Maddy just like everyone who loves their pet and i dont want harm to either dogs, thank-you for all yr input..Maddy & Chris
08.16.09 @ 12:57 pm
We have a lab and had a terrier mix. The lab was rescued as a pup when we had the terrier and after about a week, they were best friends. The older dog is always the teacher and the pup went out and squatted when the older one did therefore house training was easy. The terrier died a few years later and Bella was the queen for a few years but we saw her slowing down and relying too much on us for entertainment. I was at a Feeders Supply during an adoption and happened to see another black lab in a cage looking like he lost his best friend which, I suppose he did. He was 2 years old and was going to be put down in a few days because no one wanted an older dog. Our grandson was born a few weeks before and how ironic was it that the previous owner gave up the dog because she was pregnant. Well, I could not leave this beautiful soul there, so we took him home and Bella after about a week of turning her head at him, gave up and let him in as her own. Bailey loves our grandson and they are best buds. Bella is protective of her boy and they run so much together that Bella lost 26 extra pounds she gained from being unhappy and just lying around. I think if you don’t want to go through the puppy stage, look for a nice older dog that needs a good home and deserves a good life. We have never had trouble with Bailey chewing anything but dog toys and he leaves the baby’s toys alone. Somehow he knows not to touch. He did take some food off the kitchen counter once, but a good stern “No, bad boy,” solved that problem. Give it a try with an older dog.
08.17.09 @ 12:32 pm
I have had dogs all my life and have always found that getting a younger one before the older dies is really a good idea. The puppy learns everything faster from following the older one. It is easier to house train a puppy when it follows the older one. And it seems to help the older one feel young again. I now have three dogs. Last November, I had to put down my nine year old Dobie because she had arthritis in her hips and couldn’t get around any more. Her buddy, Chance was so depressed he wouldn’t play with Sophie. He just layed around. In January, I found a Dobie in at the pound. She’s about two years old and very puppy-ish. At first, neither Chance or Sophie liked her. But Chance now plays with her and he seems to feel better. Sophie doesn’t like her, but She’s a shitzu and I think she doesn’t like any big dogs. All three are ranch dogs and like being with each other outside roaming around. It just takes time.
08.17.09 @ 4:06 pm
If you get a new puppy or even a older dog for Biko just remember one thing————-take Biko to the new addititon to his home. NEVER-NEVER bring one home to invade his space..Trust me it really works if the new member of the family all meet and return home together………..Good luck
08.19.09 @ 6:50 pm
My sister has a 4 year old AmStaff (female)and I wanted to get a puppy, her dog can be very jealous and territorial. Cordy likes being the only dog in the house. What we ended up doing is taking her to meet the different puppies that I was looking at adopting. We noticed that she did not get along with certain breeds or any other female dogs, so with this knowledge I narrowed down the types of male puppies that I could adopt. I ended up rescuing a male German Shep mix that was about 3 months old. When I brought him home I had my sister bring Cordy out to the front yard on her leash, so that she could see me pull up in my truck with my new puppy. This way she could see that he was mine, they could smell each other in neutral territory, and then finally go into the yard together. This seemed to work. I also stayed outside for about 2-3 hours and watched their interactions and during this time I did not acknowledge one over the other. I just let her and him work out the proper way to greet each other.It was so funny my new pup just kept wanting to jump up in her face and play and she kept slamming him down with her paw and nipping at his but, until he understood what she was teaching him. He eventual understood and walked up to her bowed his head down with his but up in the air and wagged his tail. She then verbalized an ok to him and she pounced on him and they began to play. It’s been about 8 weeks and they are the best of friends now. Cordy will take a rope toy and smack Permethious in the head to initiate a tug of war game.
I would absolutely suggest getting your dog a pup to play with but just research with your dog what kind they get along with the best.
08.28.09 @ 5:11 am
I have a 14 year old husky and recently my son brought a 2 year old jug. we werent sure how my baby girl would handle it. she came around to her second puppyhood. I already knew I was bringing home an 8 week old puppy and that also worked well because the two little boys have each other to rough house with none stop. She can play when she wants. To my household everyone benifited. My baby girl is in her second puppyhood (makes me feel better) The two little boys were recues so they have a great home and life long freindship. I also feel like if your housetraining one (not just potty training but also teaching obedience and socializing) two is no different. Yes it is work but you have the older one that does help model what your household expects
09.03.09 @ 11:04 pm
I contemplated the pros and cons of adopting a 1 year old rescue dog briefly a year ago. At the time my 15 year old German shorthaired pointer. springer cross, “Buddy” had slowed down to almost a crawl. His ACL’s bilaterally in the rear were unpredictable and he often needed assistance getting up or managing stairs. He’d been on medication for years along with supplements for arthritis and longevity. He is my best friend. He adopted me when he was a year and a half and living in a very stressful environment. His owner had 14 citations that year because no matter what he tried Buddy would escape. He’d visit me occasionally until one afternoon when he needed more. I had just come home from a grueling day at nursing school. My daughter and I had had an argument and I was feeling overwhelmed. When I saw Buddy sitting in the driveway staring at my door I went out to say hello and give him his customary treat. I don’t know why but when I looked into his eyes that day something was different. We really connected. Maybe he saw something in mine as well. He stayed longer than usual that day before heading home. The next day he returned, only with urgency. I was sitting at my kitchen table having a cup of tea. It was a beautiful August day and my door was open. All of a sudden Buddy ran into the house and hid under the table at my feet. He was shaking. I heard a car pull up. An angry woman got out and yelled about her dog being here? I stated very calmly that yes he was inside and she could not go in and that I would not bring him out. Do you want him was her response, I said sure, under the circumstances how could I not, even though the last thing I wanted at that point in my life was a dog. Anyway after talking for a bit, we both calmed dowmn. I ended up bring Buddy out and put him in her car.
He returned 3 days later. I put him in my car and drove to the store where I purchased a collar, leish, bowls, and dog food. He has been with me ever since. I have not gotten any citations as I can’t get him to leave my side!
Anyway last July I went to Craigslist as I always do and happened to scan the pet section. There was an urgent post about dogs in the local pound. When I saw her picture it broke my heart. A 1 year old brindle pit was found tied out behind an abandoned building. She was still full with milk from having puppies. She was emaciated and had dry patchy spots and small scars everywhere. Someone had used her to get her pups and tossed her out like garbage. I called. I took Bud to meet her the next day which was her last. Both dogs were basically disinterested in each other. Bud has had altercations with 4 other dogs in his life so I was concerned. I knew right then and there what I had to do, for me. I made the arrangements to pick her up the following day.
Buddy is now 16 and Bella is 2. They are inseperable.
I never would have considered introducing another dog before. Now, I wish I had done so sooner.
09.06.09 @ 2:52 pm
We have always had 2 dogs, I couldn’t imagine it any other way. Our Maxine (sheepdod lab) was 15 when she passed away, leaving our 11 yr old Cleo (black lab) despondent. Cleo had been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer; given just a few months. We were taking Cleo for chemo treatments when our vet asked us to take on Jake (a Golden) who needed a home THAT DAY. I thought our vet was crazy; we were spending our last months with Cleo and he wanted us to take on a 2 yr old rambunctious Golden. We did and it was the best thing we ever did. Cleo’s spirits were lifted, Jake some how knew she was sick and always took special care not to rough house with her. Cleo lived beyond her expected 3 months. When she passed away Jake fell into a deep depression. We made countless visits to the Whisker Wagon and SPCA but no dog interested him… until we met Hannah, a 6 1/2 yr old black lab whose number was up at a high kill shelter in Ohio and a Rescue Group brought her to NYS. They warned us that Hannah was shy and “funny” around strangers. When I saw those eyes in the cage, I sank to my knees and began to cry. When Hannah came out of the cage, she leaned against me and let out the biggest sigh. It was love at first sight for Jake as well. The adoption coordinator couldn’t believe his eyes as Jake and Hannah met like 2 old friends. My advice, don’t be drawn to the puppies. Check out dogs 2, 3, 4 years old and up. They are wonderful and loving and in great need of a home. Good luck, that special dog is out there!
09.07.09 @ 1:40 am
If you have a happy dog, no matter its age I would say absolutely get another puppy. I have always overlapped and had 2 dogs at a time. I am now down to 1 tho and don’t know if I will be able to afford another one. I just had to put my senior golden ret. female to sleep 3 days ago and her constant companion, a year old female border collie/chow mix misses her desperately. She is glued to me and won’t even go outside to potty alone. She sleeps with Zoes blanket on my bed. I am going to give it some time and see how it goes. It is sad but the cost of vet care is so high I don’t know if I could take on another dog, especially if it was as sick as Zoe was with allergies. I spent literally thousands of dollars on her over a 10 year period. But the answer to your question is probably yes. It keeps the older dog young.
09.08.09 @ 8:14 pm
Definitely, there are so many rescue dogs out there that need a home, maybe a dog a year or older would give your dog life and love. I got Abbey a Katrina rescue when my Nugget( lab/Rhodesian) was 12, and Nick a Wheaten Terrier a rescue was 13. Abbey was very independent and shy aggressive but she bonded with Nugget, who disciplined her and tolerated her attitude. Nick hated her so they agreed to dislike each other and Abbey stayed clear. We had Abbey for 7 months when Nugget got sick and died within a month. Abbey became very depressed, so 2 months later we got Lucy Lu a Humane Society rescue, her and Abbey took awhile to get along, but now are great friends and won’t go anywhere even the Vet without the each other. I would love another dog, but my husband says no, so I keep trying. I love to take them to doggie day care to play and socialize, which helped Abbey alot. They love it there and know where they are going when we get near.
09.21.09 @ 1:30 pm
Our dog of sixteen years just passed. Sissy was a mutt and we loved her. We got a new puppy a year before we had to put Sissy down. Most difficult thing we ever had to do. I believe that naughty puppy helped us as well as Sissy through the tough times of her illness. She was my best friend and i miss her every day. Bubba is a lhasa opso breed and they need attention constantly. I know bubba misses his sissy.
10.02.09 @ 11:52 pm
Personally, I would not get a puppy while you still have Biko. While this may seem right for you and for the puppy, you need to ask yourself is it really the best for Biko? Yes, Biko may have some initial energy trying to keep up with a new puppy, but it will be hard on him in the long run.
I have done both, I have adopted a puppy in advance and I have waited. I currently have a chocolate lab, who is 10 1/2 yrs. old and getting slower every day. My son has adopted a yellow lab puppy last year and she visits on weekends. While my lab loves the initial visit, by the end of the weekend she is completely spent and needs to rest for a few days to get back to her old self. Labs can be very jealous and compete for owner attention. Have you ever noticed when there is more than one dog and one is getting the attention, the other one’s will try to push that one out and put themselves in their place? Check it out, pet one dog while another is in the room. (they should know each other) The one not getting the attention will push the other dog out and get in there themselves to be pet, too.
While yes, Biko may teach a new puppy some manners and where to go potty, be honest and ask yourself, should this really be “Biko’s” job? In my opinion, no. Labs are very social dogs and if Biko was younger, I might have said, yes, that’s great. But he is old. I’ve got the impression the idea of a new puppy is more for your pain of seeing Biko grow old and for the help of training a new pup. The other thing about this, is if Biko teaches a new puppy the potty routine, the new puppy may not acquire his own way of telling you he has to go out, like cry or bark, because Biko did the work for him. I’m sorry if you do not like my answer, but it is my humble opinion.
10.07.09 @ 8:19 pm
I LOST MY 16 YEAR OLD DOG TO CHF AT AGE OF 17 .I HAD A 3YR OLD RESCUE DOG WHO BECAME VERY DEPRESSED AND WOULD NOT EAT,WE ALSO LOST A 16 YR OLD CAT 3 MONTHS BEFORE THAT. I ADOPTED A 10 YR OLD CAT THEY. GOT ALONG WELL BUT THE DOG STILL WAS DEPRESSED4 MONTHS AGO WE RESCUED A 17 YR OLD MIX BREED AND THE BOTH OF THEM GET ALONG WELL IF ONES GOES OUT THE OTHER FOLLOWS. I WOULD RECOMMENDED ANOTHER ANIMAL IF ONLY FOR COMPANY.GOOD LUCK
10.09.09 @ 2:15 pm
I have a eight yr old mid size mix, who is the love of my life. This year my vet titled him senior….oh how I can’t think of my baby being old but he is.I often think of getting another dog but question if he would not hate lossing part of my attention, each situation is different. My mother still has our beagle mix whom is turning ~18 this year, I know that when I adopted my dog he gave Betsy the beagle another spring to her step, but we only visit so much, but two yeares ago my mom rescued another beagle and I believe this dog has given my family the last two additional years with our old girl….believe this is going to be her last Halloween. Every situation is going to be different, much like every dog is different and one of a kind. Good luck with what ever you decide to do ;o)
10.09.09 @ 6:17 pm
We too have gone through this problem. We had two boxers, one a rescue and the other we got as a puppy.
When our Blair got sick this summer, we decided we were too old to get another dog, but worried, Lacy would be lonely. We decided if we did, it had to be, another boxer, and an adult. We made the mistake of going to the animal shelter. Not only did we not get
an adult, but we ended up with a rottweiler mix. We think he’s mixed with boxer though. Jett has diffently changed our lives. He too was the star pupil in his puppy class, and now is a ornery cuss, but the he looks at you with his beautiful brown eyes, and cocks his head in the most comical way, and our hearts just melts. He keeps Lacy on the move, but when she has had a enough, she lets him know.
Even with all the suggestions, you have to decide. Think it over carefully. I have to admit, there are days, when we wonder.
10.17.09 @ 12:52 pm
We’re in the same boat. I have a 10-yr. old Weim who isn’t slowing down, but is the “baby” and a 14 yr. old cat. My Weim’s niece is due to have puppies and we are torn. Will she be jealous? Will she live longer with a pup? She’s not fond of all puppies, but some. HELP
10.21.09 @ 11:49 am
I have a son who was 21, married for 14 months, in the U.S. Coast guard 17 months. He was on his way to his base riding his motorcycle when someone ran into him and killed him instantly. I have his Lab dog, Fenix who is 9 years old now. I know that if and when that Fenix joins Joey, it will be like losing Joey all over again. I went to a shelter and rescued an 8 week old lab puppy a year ago. I’m so glad that I did, Max plays with Fenix and Fenix seems a little bit younger. I love my dogs so much, I’m not ready for Fenix to visit Joey, but maybe that I have another Lab, it might be a little easier, (yea right).
10.26.09 @ 9:17 pm
I have a 10 yr old dog and 4 yrs ago we got a puppy and he is happier and more active now than I swear before. He torn his ACL and he was down for awhile but he was sooo happy to have his Daisy around to play with when he got back to his old self. I wish i could clone my Max myself, I flew him home from Hawaii when I left there. It kills me that he is getting so old and has slowed down but there are days that I see his old self and that makes me happy and know that he has lead a great happy fullfilled life…
11.16.09 @ 4:03 pm
Hi,we have a dog.Duchess,and is a yellow lab just like yours. I love her to death and she loves other dogs. Dogs actually seem to live a happier, fuller, and longer life with other dogs.