Hello Everyone!!!

I am not a frequent poster...but i need your unbiased opinion. This past weekend i "rescued" a black lab from the streets. She is currently in a local shelter waiting for her owner to claim her. I currently have an 8 month old yellow lab, Bella. SHe is truly the love of my life. I already visited "Blackie" (i nick named her) at the shelter to see if she is doing ok. I was told after 7 days she is available for adoption (assuming her owner does not claim her).

Blackie is sooo darn lovable. She couldnt stop kissing me. When she saw me at the shelter that tale was wagging a mile a minute. Maybe Bella will like a sister???

Now on the flip side, having Bella is a handful alone. I dont have kids so its me and my boyfreind who care for her. WHat should i consider before adpoting Blackie??? Will Bella get jealous?? Am i crazy for falling in love and wanting another lab???

For those dog owners who have more than 1 dogs, i would love to hear about the good and bad experiences.

Thanks!!

You know what my answer's gonna be... ;)

I think you need to be sure that you lab would get along with Blackie before bringing him into your house. Take you dog down to do a meet and greet first.
IMHO adding a second to the house isn't that much more work. You do need to think about the cost involved...vet, food, toys etc.

Definitely make sure that they get along & consider the additional expense of a second dog. It will cost you twice as much -- food, vet bills, necessaries (crates, dishes, leashes, collars, tags, dog licenses). You will have to go for twice as many walks. But, at the end of the day, I think that labs are better in multiples. :) When they do get along (which is not always, which is why it is good to have them meet first), they play and have a good time, keep each other out of trouble, and bring twice as much love to your life. There is a thread in Fire Hydrant by Boochky right now wondering the same thing about adding a second dog, except that hers would be a puppy. That might be of interest to you to see what everyone has posted about having a second dog. Housebreaking an adult, if it is not already housebroken, is much easier than housebreaking a puppy because an adult has the bladder capacity to wait. So in that respect, you would have it a bit easier.

Honestly - we have a love/hate relationship with having two. It's a LOT more work - especially since our second is a wild child.

Yes - twice the love, twice the expense, and twice the work.

I sometimes think that having two is easier. I don't have two right now but when my inlaws dog is over I don't feel as guilty about not walking Aowyn. they are playing like crazy all day.

Now they are a bit more from a bathing, feeding, and poop detail perspective, but I think it so fun to get attacked by tounges from two dogs.

I do agree, take Bella with you and introduce her to Blackie, My suggestion is bring Blackie out where Bella and Blackie are in neutral ground, not in the pen.

It always depends on the dogs. If you have 2 that are well suited for each other, then 2 can be delightful. If your 2 are mismatched in temperament - even if they get along well, it can be exhausting. In this case - you should add a 3rd :D

Our 1st two love each other but are polar opposites. Number 2 and number 3 are best buds and our number 1 is very greatful that we got #3.

So, again...it all depends on the dogs.