Saying Goodbye is never easy

Thanks for your wonderful advice and comment loverbear. You know.. it really helps me feel sure of what I've done. What is a doxie.. what kind of breed is that? I've never heard of that sort of dog before? Yes I think a smaller dog would be better, something as small as a cat or not much bigger!

A doxie is actually a Dashund. I was given two mini dashunds by a breeder who took pity on me after she heard about the horrible events that happened on December 21st. I had read about mini dashunds and they seemed like the answer. They are WONDERFUL!!!! They are around 6 inches at the shoulder (they are smaller than my Lynx point Siamese female!!! She makes them look like a gnome.) and weigh around 9 to 12 pounds. They are very smart and absolute clown that make me smile at least 20 times a day. Little Bit, the male, was busily fishing in my teddy bear work bag when we were on our way home from a day trip. I couldn't figure out what he was after. Finally I watched him for a while and realized that he was sorting the items out of the bag. He would get a small box out and put it in one area, get a scissors out and put it in another area and then get another box out and put it with the other one. This went on for quite awhile, and then he proceeded to bury them with their blanket. I laughed myself silly over that. He didn't chew anything, he just sorted. They are very gentle and love to be with people. My two hate for me to leave them behind. They will bark for a couple of minutes and then settle down and sleep until I come home. They are crate trained and sleep in a large dog crate at night. In the morning, if I decide to go back to bed after I let them out to go to the bathroom, they will crawl in bed with me and go to sleep at my side. I'll wake up with the two dogs and four cats sleeping with me. The mini dashunds don't get over 15 pounds in weight (that is the maximum) and are between 5 and 11 inches at the shoulder. They are healthy and very strong (they were originally bred for hunting badgers, and badgers are MEAN! We have them around our place and they are well known for being left alone as they fight dirty. So any dog that will hunt them is a strong breed and has to be healthy.) I was informed that the only draw back to the breed is that they have a long back and can have back problems. But, many owners that I know have had doxies and haven't had the problems with the dogs back. Part of the trick is keeping the weight within a certain boundary and not letting the dog get overweight. What I love about the pair I have is that they aren't a nervous barker. Some breeds will bark constantly and drive you nuts. My two will bark when there is a strange noise or someone in the yard. Also, the mini dashund is adaptable to apartments or country homes. I live at a lake in California and my two love the place. I take them for a walk by the water and they are in heaven! They are just as comfortable walking with me in the city with the city noises. I have a special pen for them in the yard if I am going to do major housework and can put them out in the pen to enjoy the spring weather. Also, I bathe the dogs every other week and they are so easy to bathe and dry in no time! Plus they are a riot after their bath, they prance and dance and race around the house showing off how good they feel about having their bath. The best thing I can recommend is that you do a little research before you get another dog. There are a lot of small breed dogs that are suitable for apartment living. I am in love with this pair because each day is a new discovery into their personality and the fun things that they can think up to keep me entertained. Right down to Monica (the little girl) fishing my wallet out of my purse and bringing it to me. I hope this has helped a little bit. I read your posting and felt badly for you. I have had dogs and cats and it is always a heart wrenching ordeal when you have to give up a dog or cat for various reasons. (I have a post about my having to give up my Rottie. It is a letter to my daughter.) When a dog or cat has personality conflicts with a family it is so much better to find a family that will welcome the dog or cat and very very often it works out that the dog really belongs with that family. It is like a poodle we had gotten when I was growing up. She never got the hang of riding in the car, she always got car sick, even in a parked car. We found a lady that fell in love with the dog the minute she saw her. The two of them were inseparable and loved each other dearly. It was the best thing we could do for the dog, as she was very happy in her new home. Be proud of the fact that you put the dog first, rather than taking Chester to the shelter you did the work of finding him a new home.

Wow that's quite the story and thank you once again for helping me through this time. I'm not sure if you know you're helping me? You are! I love the sounds of what doxies are! They sound so cute, I'm going to do a goodle search to see what they look like thank you gain loverbear

Wow firebug I'm sorry you're going through that right now. My discussion is probably the last thing you want to read about especually if you are the type that loves dogs. Sorry you had to stumble across my thoughts. I"m not going to tell you it's going to be an easy experience that you're going to have to go through because I've had to deal with long life friendship of my mom's cat when he passed away at the old cat age of 17. That was very difficult for me and he was indeed my best pal I"ve ever had. The tattoo will be a great way to have good memories of your dog, and everytime you look at it, you're going to remember your best friend. That's so sad firebug, but he's going to be in a good place soon. Thanks for sharing your thoughts

Hi luvstochat, That is so sad about your dog, and it was very hard to say goodbye to Chester. When I find myself still thinking about him I get upset but I can only think it will get better. My hubby wanted to do something when we sold him to remind him of Chester so he got a tattoo done and he said he didn't want to use the money from Chester where it would waste away like on food or something that would be used up. He got this tattoo done and now everytime he looks at it.. it will remind him of Chester. I would've got one done too but I chickened out. Thank you for your comment it's very nice