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I'm not sure if I've mentioned this on here or not, but until a couple of weeks ago, my Charley had a brother named Buddy. Buddy was a Shih-tsu who wandered up at my parents house last November and after not locating an owner, I adopted him. His owner came to claim him a couple of weeks ago, thus Charley is an only child once again. (He was for the first year of his life.)
When Buddy left I was sad, yet a little bit relieved. Buddy took a lot more effort than Charley. He had to be groomed daily, washed weekly, and needed haircuts all the time. Charley needs a bath every 2 weeks or so, and his nails trimmed. That's it.
However, Charley is very lonely without his brother. I'm gone to work for 9-12 hours a day. When I get home he's a little bundle of energy and wants lots of attention ... which I have no problem giving him, but I can tell he's starting to get bored during the day because he's starting to act out by tearing things up. This had previously been a problem, until Buddy came along. I've been contemplating adopting another brother or sister for Charley. But I'm not sure.
"Everything happens for a reason" is the philosophy I took when Buddy left. I didn't know what that reason was then, but I think I do now.
Shortly after Buddy left, I started working longer than normal hours due to a project we started at work. Charley is piddle-pad trained, so this isn't really a problem for him ... but if I still had Buddy, it would be mean of me to expect him to hold it that long every day!
Anyway, my question to you guys is this: Do you think it would be mean of me to adopt a sibling for Charley, knowing my current work schedule (which will not change for a couple of months) and knowing I wouldn't have time to potty train a puppy right now? OR Do you think I should let Charley continue to be an only child for the time being?
I would appreciate any thoughts you have on this topic. I've always been of the opinion that if you are going to have one pet, you should have two because they can keep each other company when you are not around. But I don't know if that's wise for me at the moment.
Sorry this is so long ... I tend to ramble.
When Buddy left I was sad, yet a little bit relieved. Buddy took a lot more effort than Charley. He had to be groomed daily, washed weekly, and needed haircuts all the time. Charley needs a bath every 2 weeks or so, and his nails trimmed. That's it.
However, Charley is very lonely without his brother. I'm gone to work for 9-12 hours a day. When I get home he's a little bundle of energy and wants lots of attention ... which I have no problem giving him, but I can tell he's starting to get bored during the day because he's starting to act out by tearing things up. This had previously been a problem, until Buddy came along. I've been contemplating adopting another brother or sister for Charley. But I'm not sure.
"Everything happens for a reason" is the philosophy I took when Buddy left. I didn't know what that reason was then, but I think I do now.
Shortly after Buddy left, I started working longer than normal hours due to a project we started at work. Charley is piddle-pad trained, so this isn't really a problem for him ... but if I still had Buddy, it would be mean of me to expect him to hold it that long every day!
Anyway, my question to you guys is this: Do you think it would be mean of me to adopt a sibling for Charley, knowing my current work schedule (which will not change for a couple of months) and knowing I wouldn't have time to potty train a puppy right now? OR Do you think I should let Charley continue to be an only child for the time being?
I would appreciate any thoughts you have on this topic. I've always been of the opinion that if you are going to have one pet, you should have two because they can keep each other company when you are not around. But I don't know if that's wise for me at the moment.
Sorry this is so long ... I tend to ramble.
