Retriever Rescue

Hiya,
As some of you may have seen from my previous post, we have just recently adopted a beautiful golden retriever called Bobo.
He is settling in very well, and an absolute joy to have in our family. He LOVES his walks, and loves playing with other dogs that we meet when we're out and other dogs in our extended family.

However, Bobo is currently our only dog, and having read through a lot of posts on here, a lot of you seem to have two goldens, and they look to really enjoy each others company.
I know it is still early days for Bobo with us, so its not something we'll rush into, but I am wondering whether Bobo would be happier with another golden to join our family?

How did others here come to the decision to add a new golden to your families? Do you think your dogs are happier for having each others' company?

I've seen Bobos pictures and he is a beauty. I would be interested too in what others say about a second golden. Alan has definitely made the decision to retire next September (earlier if I had my way). When that happens I have said it would be nice to have another dog. Poppy is quite happy to plod along with others on her walks, and we often meet an 18month old goldie who seems to love being with her. I know that a younger dog can be a bit tiring for an oldie, so we would have to be careful, but it would be nice to have another one.

Hi

We have had two Goldies for many years, but it is something of an empty nest syndrome for me as I feel a huge hole is left when we lose one.

We first decided to get another when Oscar became a bit lazy and spoiled. We thought another one might perk him up no end and it is just what happened. Dudley would spur Oscar into playing with him even though there was an age gap. Sadly we lost Dudley at an early age and by that time Oscar was slowing down so we didnt get one then.

Then we found Oliver through word of mouth and rescued him, luckily we went to his breeder and she had his mother so we had two again and what a fantastic pair they were until Gillie passed. Then we had a puppy Poppy who idolised Oliver to the extent he was her favourite and we didnt get a look in.
Now Poppy and Phoebe are happy together, it was slow at first but they play nicely now and go swimming together and sit at each end of the sofa like bookends, so sweet. Poppy is eating again after pining and cross fingers it is all going well at the moment.
I like two dogs, I feel they keep each other company but Phoebe had to get used to it as we felt she was an only dog but she has coped brilliantly but Poppy is a shy timid little dog so we didnt expect any friction and none has happened.
Hope that may help a small bit, we nearly lived with a few more when we were looking for temporary accommodation when we were flooded out, we found a place and were already to take it when we asked if they minded two dogs, the lady was apologetic but said she had five Goldies and one was about to give birth so we couldnt go there with our dogs. Seven goldies, now wouldnt that have been heaven but sadly never happened.
Regards Jill

I have two and wouldnt consider anything else, they play together, chase each other, get into trouble together...just great...

Thanks so much for your replies, it is definitely something we'll consider. We'll let him settle in properly and see how we go, but I do feel that he would be very happy with another golden to play with.

We have always had two goldens, we did have three (only due to circumstances within the family) and have had as many as 5 when our friends have gone abroad, Kathryn's right they do play together. There maybe 6 or 7 years age difference between Ginnie and Cobi and they are the best two goldens we have ever had for getting on together so well, and they both came from Jan in 2000 and 2005 (Cobi came to us only a week after Abby had died, and 12 weeks after Jasmine died, so Ginnie needed a pal a.s.a.p and we needed a distraction for our grief) Many people have said to us over the years, ' I couldn't have another dog and go through all the heartache again', we respect their decision, but we are giving a dog another chance at having a good home at the time that it desperately needs one.

Two goldens = twice as much hair to clean up, twice as much mud to wipe down off the cupboards = twice as much love to share about love 'em to bits

Two goldens = twice as much hair to clean up, twice as much mud to wipe down off the cupboards = twice as much love to share about love 'em to bits

LOVE it!