exactly! And I can work outside when it is warmer.

All this puppy talk is making me jelly, people!

I should have added that I still say yes after spending 5 hours (and eventually almost $2000 for tests, meds and an overnight) because my idiot dog scarfed down a gob of seaweed at the beach yesterday. Ironic that her cancer-ridden sister was happy at home while this was going on.

Lesson, seaweed can be very bad for dogs.

And yet I’ve signed on for another puppy this summer.

After you return from your trip sounds like the perfect time. That way you won't have to leave a new dog that is adjusting to a new home behind and it will give you time to plan for the addition of a dog to your home.

Funky is getting a puppy! Imagine that in a singing voice! haha

AKT, I heard it in a singsong voice even before you gave directions!

Well, I have to say that, imho, a house is not a home without a pup. April is perfect timing.I am a big dog person and have never had a small one and we always adopt. We are down from three to one now -a 90-lb lab mix who is a digustingly drooly rotten 5-year-old who chews up anything he can get that he knows he shouldn't and will actually make sure we see he has whatever forbidden thing, piece of clothing, child's toy so we will give him a treat to drop it and I hope he lives forever. He is asleep on the couch next to me, but I have no doubt that he agrees with everyone that you should give some lucky pup a home.

You do know that pictures will be required, don't you?

Rescues "need" a person like you. I'm glad your even considering opening up to another dog. Lucky dog!

You will be the best dog mom! I think you have your bases covered and you will really love having a new puppy to love on.

Sueb, I am sure you know this - but watch dogs carefully at the beach. Eating sand can be deadly as even a small amount can form an obstruction. I call mine bottom feeders anyway as they spend most of their time outside snuffling on the ground. I do not take them to the beach as I don't trust them.

Love, your resident beach dweller who sees way too much doggy sadness from sand.

Although we try our best to prevent it, my daughter's dog will try to eat seaweed and it gives him diarrhea for days. Not good.

A birthday dog - perfect! The right size dog will magically enter your life - I'm a believer!

Get a dog. From the time of Molly's birth until she was maybe around 14 and I was forced to start driving again due to having kids who needed activities, I never ever drove a car myself. Everyone was always willing to take us to the vet as needed, and once it was created, I Ubered with her numerous times as well. I only had one driver ever give me the stink-eye but he did end up taking her anyway. I just gave good tips and brought a blanket.

May I humbly suggest a beagle :) Compact, easy to carry, but can still do all the exercise/outdoor stuff you can do with a lab/golden. Never worked w/ this organization since I haven't gotten a dog for 16 years but I have it bookmarked for when we eventually get Molly a friend: https://www.sosbeagles.org/ 

GO FOR IT!!!!!

I love this thread. ❤️

You should know what my vote would be @Funkyart! I love dogs period but have to say my golden was my boy 🐾. We were ”dog less for 10yrs after losing two …until the labradoodle came up for adoption and then when my sister passed away we gladly took her labradoodle. They do get groomed every 6 wks -dropped off @ 8:30 and then I receive text when the girls are ready for pick up.

Looking forward to puppy pictures Funky.

You will be a GREAT dog mom 🐾❤️

Thank you all for your sweet comments and encouragement!

I hadn't planned on adopting when I got each of my last two dogs so who knows what will happen in the coming months. There is so much reward in rescuing a dog ... and of course to raise one from puppy. I will know the right choice when it comes along .. but in the meantime, I have started looking at breeders just to know my options.

I could absolutely postpone my trip -- or move it forward -- we'll see how things evolve but there are no set dates or deposits made as yet.

I'm excited for you, Funky! You sound like you would make a great dog mom and I think your idea of spring is a great one. We've always had Miniature Poodles or Miniature Schnauzers, but goldens are real sweethearts. Can't wait to meet your new love!

I agree that a small dog and a carrier for trips is a good solution if you're yearning for a pet.

Well, I have nothing to add except now I will be inpatiently waiting for your puppy pics!! 😊🙌

While you wait, check out good.boy.ollie on TikTok and elliegoldenlife on IG. Absolutely darling doggie content!! 🐶💕

I am in the middle of some slight work/life insanity and could not read the comments.

Get the dog! Take up your family on their kind offer to help with vetrenarian appointments.

There is no reason to give up any doggo joy.

Poodles are aweesome, easy to train, non shedding, smart and come in all sizes.

With Lulu at my side, you know my vote. I would consider an older pup or young adult in your situation -- one with a good rescue that will help you screen for the right temperament and energy levels, health issues and possibly have potty training, leash walking and some other basic behaviors more settled so you don't start at zero. Doodles are very smart and tend to be higher energy and need a lot of play and exercise when young. A healthy pup should only need annual vet appts until a senior. Grooming will be the more frequent need -- daily brushing and eye wiping and bathing/grooming every 3-4 or 4-6 weeks on average from what I am told (at 4wks with Lulu we aren't there yet but she was shaved bare and pink). Look for a mobile groomer who will come to you and make sure they will take the size of dog you expect to have.

But yes -- a hundred times, yes.

Yes get a dog, maybe a rescue under 2 years? Can’t help with breed cuz my dog requirement is that their poops fit in a sandwich bag!

While I adore poodles, Goldens are pracrically pre-trained at birth.

Dog!

We had a poodle when I was growing up-- I didn't bond with her as much as my little sisters did but she was a great dog! We didn't clip her like a poodle so she was a little moppy which I love.

So many great breeds ... as of now, I am not committed to puppy or rescue or to any one breed. I do want to see how niece's mini goldendoodle develops. The whole litter was *very* calm for their ages ... that is definitely a plus for me. They are tentatively planning for another litter in fall but with a different mother.

So many of you recommend a small dog I can carry in a carrier -- I am wondering what you see as the draw. Are you small dog lovers or are you thinking there's a benefit to me? I am definitely a big dog girl but there are some small and medium size dogs with more of a big dog personality.

Beau, my golden-lab mix was just easy .. he was my velcro dog and the sensitive one. His only issue was he had a strong prey drive and even when old and slow, he was a runner. Grace was my challenge, she needed a lot of training but was very smart. She needed to be acclimated to a home and she especially needed to learn self-control. One of our favorite rituals was that I taught her to sit, lift her nose and wait for me to say, "bon appetit" and kiss her nose before she could eat her food. The kids looooved that but I trained her because she was a wild woman when I put her food down. I was safe but I was concerned about her knocking over one of the nieces/nephews/neighbor kids who were often around. She took to the training well and was truly great around young kids. She was also very communicative and very funny. I adored her but I don't think I want to take on the work of a rottweiler this time around. I learned so much with Grace and I adore the breed but we also went through so much with her health issues. I know that is a lot of the reason why I waited so long to bring another dog into my life.

I definitely have a strong pull to the goldens .. LOL Zalco, yes, funny-- they are just about pre-trained at birth! I didn't think I liked the "designer" breeds but I was definitely impressed with the mini goldendoodles' temperaments and they are adorable and sweet. Hypoallergenic and non-shedding are also big plusses. I would consider waiting until fall for another litter ... but with a different mama, I can't be sure they'd be the same.

And then I feel so strongly about the need to rescue the alarming number of pets in shelters ... I have donated lots and adopted 3 shelter dogs in the past so I am committed ... but I feel like now is the time if I want to raise a puppy. I'll be less likely to go that route when I am 70 or 80.

It's exciting ... and I am just happy to know THIS will be the year I bring a dog home again.

Thank you all ❤️❤️❤️

Question: What about small dogs do you love?

Me:

One of my draws is that they're easy to carry and bathe - and they have tiny poop 😄

My current dog is the only small dog I've ever had. I don't own a carrier for her. I just carry her or she walks. I can see more pros with her size, especially for myself at this stage of life. Also, living out of state from family, she is an easy travel companion..

Other dogs were large with a couple of medium. If anything my comments are for you to consider possiblities. I've seen older (elderly) people and couples come into the vet office with a dog they could not get out of the car or cannot control. I remember one lady that had her shoulder dislocated, requiring surgery, because her dog jerked her arm when he got excited.

So cute, Spanish.

We regret the things we don't do, not the things we do.

If your sister and niece are urging you and offering to be helpful, I'd have one 'let's get real' conversation with them about what that committment would look like, and then I'd go for it. Honestly, reading between the lines, I think you would really love a dog.

Are you certain there is not a mobile vet near you? Our oldest daughter is a mobile vet in Calif. and was just here in Houston to train some new vets at their new operation. She said they are expanding like crazy.

Heck yes, get a dog. With friends and family offering transportation help, and Uber as a backup, don't let that deter you. When my legally blind non-driver son needed to rush his dog to the vet while his wife was out of town, he just called an Uber.

You are right that there are so many great breeds and mixes. Even though I love the big ones and really miss my 130 lb Pyr, over the years I "downsized" to a 90 lb and now a 40 lb all american mutt who is a wonderful dog. You might find that a dog in the 25-40 lb range would be big enough to feel like a "real" dog to you but be easier to manage. Now don't all you tiny dog lovers get agitated! I think pocket beagles and mini doxies and toy poodles are all cute and loveable. But it's a big change from an 80 lb golden. Bottom line for all of us dog lovers is to look for one with a personality that meshes with yours and be a bit flexible about the rest.

Nini...LOL on "sheds like it's her job and she's gunning for a raise". That cracks me up and describes my dog to a T. The shedding adds a ton of daily work if you want your home and clothing to be presentable (sometimes I do, sometimes I don't care).

My son has a greyhound...very minimal shedding and she is mostly a very chill dog. I am thinking whippet (like a greyhound but smaller) for my next dog.

nini804- we have a shedder who is gunning for a raise too! I recently bought one of those robot vacuums. I had resisted because Savannah is petrified of my regular vacuum, and because the ones I'd seen previously were more annoying than anything. Turns out she isn't bothered by this one at all. This thing is amazing. Works out of the box (once charged). No programming, no learning, nada. Also, won't go down stairs, so no guard needed. Goes under all my sofas, buffets, etc. Lamp cords, area rugs, etc. are not a problem. The ONLY problem I've had is we had a nest of those tiny little speaker wires under an armoire that it didn't like. Here's the part that has really shocked me: because the dog hair is cleaned up every day now, ALL of my surfaces are finally clean. Even the stairs (which I have to do myself) only need doing every few days rather than every day. I'm honestly stunned. One of my best friends got this, then I got it, and now two more of our friends have it, all with dogs, and we are in love!

@Bestyears, which robot vacuum did you get?

I got the Eufy 11S from Amazon, and only paid $119. I think it is selling there now for about $139.

While I loved both my dogs ..,. and loved that they "coordinated" lol, I did not consider that they would shed in different colors. There was no masking the dog hair. It was a constant effort to clean .. from the floors, the walls, the furniture, the keyboard ...

Beau in his elder years

The Princess, Grace

awww love

I do have a roomba, and a good vacuum but this is my go to tool. it is easier than getting the vacuum out, quieter than the robot and truly effective.Most of my space is wood floor. it even works to some degree on my jute style rug.

i am all for you getting a dog! i am itching for another one for a companion for our Leo.. DDs' each have a dog who we see often. but still want another!

i just hope you reach out to a rescue group or shelter instead of a breeder. so many awesome dogs get timestamped simply b/c of overcrowding. Rescues and shelters do have pupppies all the time!! AdoptDon'tShop!

Do it! Dogs add so much joy to our lives. You have enough of a background with dogs a new addition should go well for you.

I am wanting another dog myself, our last dog passed in May at age 17 from cancer. I so miss having a pup. My husband says he is not ready for another one yet, although he lost his heart to a cutie that was up for adoption. Someone else took it in before he could talk to me about it. This dog was before my 85 y.o. MIL moved in with us. Now we are a bit worried she might trip over a dog, she trips over her own feet as it is. So another pup is on the backburner.

@nini804 - My dog that passed away last year, looked just like your cute white dog. Ours was a rescue, she was with us for 15 years. She was so sweet.

We have a big goldendoodle! She acts 80% poodle, sometimes I wish she had a more giving/people pleasing personality. But she is heaps of fun and great with Emmett. She did not enjoy the extensive combing needed to keep her very curly fur tangle free (i was hand feeding her supper every night just to get her combed) so we take her to be shaved down every six weeks. On the plus side she sheds way less than anyone in the house. We have started contemplating getting a mini/medium. About 20-30 lbs is perfect I think - no worries about tripping over them but they can’t counter surf.

Keeping her shaved down helps with the forest and park adventures as well!

One last comment about doodles - both poodles and retrievers are working breeds and I find doodles need quite a bit of exercise. When I go to the park on rainy miserable days, it’s 80 percent doodle owners out there with me. Penny is in the woods every day even at age 6. So I think in general they are a good match for someone who likes to spend quite a bit of time outdoors and walking (or has a dog walker). Penny goes on wilderness group walks twice a week with a dog walker and loves it.

Hi Robo! Yes, I remember that you have a goldendoodle! I am used to working dogs -- and how to work with them. Also familiar with their activity level which I think is a good match of active and relaxed. Uptime and downtime.

My niece brought her mini home on Friday ... she's about 11/12lb now and will be about 25 at full size.

I am still thinking I want a golden but will be watching Luna (LuLu for short) as she grows. I haven't closed the door on a goldendoodle.

Yes, go get yourself a dog - and get the breed or mutt YOU want. Some of the larger breeds are actually more mellow than the little ones - but you've had dogs before; you'd know what works for you.

Funky, this just came up in my FB feed and I thought of you. (Turn down your sound, it's a little loud.)

SO cute.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1048622609861260/?s=ifu

LOL.. so adorable (but totally not 4lb!)

Before our last vet retired and a new one took over his practice, he'd come out and give all our pets their vaccines. He even brought home my deceased dog so I could bury her. One time he aired up my tire. Well, I did work for him for a long time, but he would have done it for anyone.

I asked our new vet if he'd come to the house and he firmly said no. It's a five minute drive. What you could do is call a vet close to you and tell them your vision problem and see if he/she/or assistant could come to you at an extra charge to do the vaccinations and discuss possible emergency situations. I bet they would do it under those circumstances.

All we've had are hunting/working dogs, and I wouldn't recommend a large dog, OR a black dog which we have two of, because they are so easy to trip over in the dark. Ask how we know. :)

Oh you must have been sad when your old vet retired -- what great service he provided. I loved my mobile vet -- she was great with my animals and her mobile unit was large enough and equipped to do xrays and perform a limited range of surgeries.

Vet offices are being run more like businesses these days-- I would be very surprised if there are any that will offer home care. I am hearing that it is hard to even find a vet taking on new patients. I have a number of friends who are vets ... but none are local to me.

As for tripping over large dogs -- sure, I've done it but mostly when they are underfoot not so much because I didn't see them. I don't really walk around in the dark and I think I am more aware of the larger dogs but that is a guess. I haven't had even a medium sized dog in 50 yr -- and I've never had a small dog!