should you get another pet?

Our sweet German short-haired pointer Meghan passed away last February. She was a rescue dog that had grown up on a farm. We got Meg during the recession in 2008 when her owner lost her house and couldn't keep dogs in her new apartment.

We suspected Meg had been kept outside on the farm because she had an immense fear of the dark, drooled on car rides, and hated rainy days.

She was also the sweetest, most loving dog you've ever met.

She went down fast one afternoon when hubbie was out of town and our daughter was in class. I had walked Meg around the block that very morning but when we got to the vet she collapsed and her body shut down. Loads of tears!

We are dog people and planned on getting another 2 year old in May or June. Then some friends called and said they were planning on driving down to Elberta one Saturday to look at a litter of Heeler puppies. My hubbie kept asking me if I wanted to go. And I kept saying, "no."

The third or fourth time he asked, I finally got it. Oh, it's YOU who want a puppy!! You're not asking if I want one!

Well ok, let's drive down on Saturday and look then. Well, I found out that when you see a litter of puppies, there's no just LOOKING. No way possible for you to go away empty handed.

Yes, there were a couple of months of late night (hubby duty) and early morning (me) potty runs. And shots, and puppy socialization Saturdays.

And don't get me started on spaying!

Let me tell you, a heeler has a lot of energy. A lot. And can they jump! And catch a frisbee. And they don't call them "velcro dogs" for nothing.

Great companions, but a pet does change one's lifestyle.

My brother's dog passed away this summer and so far they have chosen not to get another one.

Another friend who was in her 70's at the time, wanted a puppy, but first she made sure her son would take the puppy if she became unable to care of her.

We have a friend in her 80's whose husband recently passed away and she decided to bring home a kitty to keep her company.

Pets make great companions, but they do limit freedom, and can be expensive. Puppy Preschool class is $55 for a full day and $32 for half-day. A 6 week Obedience Class is $160. And spaying Lyra ran $490. Yikes!