For those of you who have a senior dog and a very young dog have you gotten a third dog that is maybe in the middle range, playful for the young one, but able to settle easily for the older dog. Jesse, our 15 year old, is in pretty good health, but is becoming grumpier with Tayla because, at a year old, she just wants to play. It’s causing some issues because Tayla just doesn’t get the rather obvious signs of “I don’t want to play with you….ever.” signals Jesse is giving. Our thought was to look for a rescue after the first of the year that might be around 3 to 4 years old that would be a good playmate for Tayla, but would also be able to settle down and just lay at times so as not to be so annoying and burn off some energy from Tayla. What are your thoughts?

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Barb, Rick and Tayla (STAR Puppy)



Cheyenne (CGC) and Jesse (CGC) who will be always loved and never forgotten.

That might be a good option for you, or you could arrange play dates for Tayla with another dog or take her to doggy day care maybe so Jesse could get a break and Tayla could work off some of her energy.

I think if you feel that you can handle a 3rd dog go for it! I would suggest that you start now by becoming acquainted with all of the rescues in your area. Fill out an app, get approved by several of them and develop a relationship with them.
Don't limit yourself to just GR rescue groups. Look on pet finder ect for local groups too. I know in my area there are several small rescue groups that take in all breeds of dogs but they're not well known, work on a shoe string budget but do great work. I found my Lady (GR) from a basset hound rescue because I had developed a relationship with them a year earlier so they called me when they found Lady.
That's how I've always rescued. Explain to them exactly what you're looking for and your time frame. Most rescues are fostered in homes and they get to know everything about these dogs, in fact they fall in love with them too.
I've done this with several of my past dogs, I've also had dogs come to me in mysterious ways. I believe our dog finds us if we make our-self available.
Just as the breeders on this forum know which puppy should go to which family, the fosters are great at this too and they always want to find the perfect family for every dog.
If this is what you want to do I think it's wonderful for all involved! Be patient, sometimes it can take quite awhile to happen but it will happen. Good luck whatever you decide. (personally I'm hoping you do )

EDIT: not sure if I made sense but sometimes a GR slips through the cracks and ends up with a different rescue group.

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I have tried the day care thing, but was not happy with the only one in my area. We had some issues of submissive urination every time they would get her to go and put a leash on her. Since it's nothing that has ever happened with us it lead me to believe something going on there was not making her feel comfortable. I would love to find a doggy play date for her, but right now I don't have any dogs availabe. We have friends with dogs, mostly Goldens but one couple is retired and traveling for 6 months with their 4 goldens and the other one lives farther away can only do it during the week and I work. That's why we were thinking of adopting sometime next year.

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Barb, Rick and Tayla (STAR Puppy)



Cheyenne (CGC) and Jesse (CGC) who will be always loved and never forgotten.

Since you are considering adopting, check with the GR Rescue in your area to see if they have Play Dates. The Group I was with had them frequently and were open to everyone, not just Adoptees.

Fostering for a GR Rescue might be a great option too.

If you can handle three dogs, and you have the space, I say go for it.

I remember my senior dog that I had while Brady was a puppy. As much as Brady gave him entertainment, there were times he just wanted to be by himself. I always had to be aware of when to separate them for a little while. I am sure a young dog pouncing on one's old joints is not enjoyable.

Not only that, but Brady was very lonely when my senior dog passed on.

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Having 3 dogs would not be my first choice and if we were talking 3 young dogs I'd say no. However, with Jesse's age we would only have three for a couple years at most. We are blessed with a 15 year old golden, but one that would live past 17 or 18 would be pretty rare (although if one could do it I'd put my money on her).

We are actually approved for adoption and have lots of friends with one of the local Aussie rescue groups (my husband's first choice) and Tayla was supposed to be an Aussie, but when we were looking they had no rescues suitable. We have done a lot of volunteer work with GRRMF in the past and know a lot of people there (my first choice). We will probably go with an Aussie because Rick is looking for a frisbee dog and our last dog was an Aussie/BC mix and we like the breed and size. I would have another golden, but size wise we would like to keep it to about 45 lbs.

It's just something we are tossing around right now.

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Barb, Rick and Tayla (STAR Puppy)



Cheyenne (CGC) and Jesse (CGC) who will be always loved and never forgotten.

My other thought was to foster? That way if it didn't work out for Jesse having another dog on top of Tayla we could stop after the first one. Have any of you fostered? I've been a foster failure once and I could see it happening again, but that might be a better option.

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Barb, Rick and Tayla (STAR Puppy)



Cheyenne (CGC) and Jesse (CGC) who will be always loved and never forgotten.

Fostering is a great option. I fostered for four years, it was tough letting them go, but it was fostering that brought 'THE' rescued dog to me. 'THE ONE I couldn't let go from the minute he arrived. It is an amazing experience, and there is no better gift than giving a dog who has nothing a chance at a better life. It is not always 'easy', some rescues do have 'problems' but for the most part it was super rewarding, the majority of dogs I fostered (60 over 4 years) more than anything, needed someone to care about and for them.

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Until there are none, rescue one.

Our second dog was a foster from our Humane Society. She was the dog that I just couldn't let go. We had her for 12 wonderful years. I go back and forth on adoption or fostering. All of our dogs, even Tayla have come from unwanted situations before we got them.

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Barb, Rick and Tayla (STAR Puppy)



Cheyenne (CGC) and Jesse (CGC) who will be always loved and never forgotten.