there is a vet hospital near me with 20+ vets in their practice. It's a huge beautiful building with lots of employees and their prices are very high. They boast "walk-in" weekend appointments, but they don't mention walk-in's cost $88 rather than $68 if you call first.

I once took one of my dogs there for something minor and I asked the vet to look at her ears while we were there. She got out a cotton swab and slide and said she'd need to do a culture. I told her I just wanted her to look in the dog's ears and she said she couldn't tell anything by just looking. I got out of there fast.

Regarding rescue dogs and skin conditions-- It's amazing what a bath, some antibiotics, and good quality food for a week or two can do. Rescue dogs are rehabilitated, or at least diagnosed and set up with a treatment plan, and spayed or neutered before placement.


I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

Often times, we make assumptions as to why so many dogs end up in Rescue so it is always great to get the info straight from the horses mouth, so to speak.

At least Andrew can look at the pros and cons of a second bully, especially if a wee baby is planned for the near future.

The thing that distresses me about Bulldogs being sent to Rescue is that a huge percentage appear to have health issues that cost so much to resolve. Of course, in an ideal world people would educate themselves about these expenses but in practice, that is not the case. It also makes me peeved at the never ending price increases that some vets charge. I am fortunate with my vet who I drive an hour to see....extremely reasonably priced on surgeries, but in my immediate area, the costs almost double.

In a perfect world two dogs would entertain each other and play together while mom tends to the baby. Unfortunately there are no guarantees it will go that way.

I had an owner surrender one of her two bitches because they were fighting with each other over resources and she was afraid her toddler would end up in the middle of it.


I just want this couple to be aware. There is a lot to think about and consider before making a lifetime commitment to a second dog.












I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

The idea of having a pair sounds good in theory but we too in rescue have the same situation. A baby is a lot of work and TWO dogs, wow, I can tell you it's twice the amount.

And if money isn't an issue great. But we've had a few surrenders lately because folks cannot afford a new baby AND the medical costs of an english bulldog which run thousands a year for many.

www.midatlanticbulldogrescue.com

Usually it is one dog that was previously thought of as "their baby" until the human baby came along. All the reasons you mentioned are given--

not enough time to give the dog the attention he/she deserves
dog is jealous
dog is too rough
dog is intolerant

Dogs generally love kids IF people take the time to introduce them properly. Teaching the child to be respectful of the dog is as important as teaching the dog to be gentle with the child.

I once had someone tell me they wanted to surrender their dog because it snapped at their child when the kid "just wanted to ride him like a horsey!" Imagine that!!







I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

Your comments made me think (which is always a good thing lol). From your experience, do you find it is individual dogs that new parents surrender (as opposed to surrendering all of their pets) and are a lot of these because the dog is unpredictable and/or jealous of the new family member or just that having a pet(s) are too much work in addition to having a baby.

I do not have children, so I have no clue how family pets generally react to the new addition. I thought that having two dogs (regardless of breed) would actually help in that, as a single dog the dog may very well feel the affects of not having the same amount of attention/doting lavished on them as opposed to when there are two where they have to share attention anyway.

Thanks in advance!

a new baby in itself is going to have you soooooooooo busy.

'Twas not my lips you kissed
But my soul ~ Judy Garland
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As a rescue volunteer, I see way too many owner surrenders because of a new baby in the house. Why not wait until you have the baby and then think about adding a second dog? Your commitment to your dogs is for their lifetime and that can be 12+ years. Really think this through and talk to people with two dogs. Two dogs are fun, but they are three times the work of one and a baby is a 24 hour job in itself.


I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

He makes me laugh with his silly antics and can be quite a handful lol but he has the sweetest personality and loves the role of the Man of the House

I don't think I've seen pics of Sid all grown up. What a gorgeous boy!

I got Mabel first and then added Sid to the family a year later. I highly recommend having two as they do bond and become bully brothers or sisters. I don't believe it would matter what the gender of the second dog is but I really enjoy the differences between my 'reserved, cautious, loyal Mabel' and my 'sweet, loving and scared of nothing' boy Sid.

It goes without saying, that neutering and spaying should be part of the package.

Yea, an itty bitty bruvver to bully



Hmmmm....he'z got bigger....sheesh



But we'z love each other very much

is your bully boy neutered? A female pup should also be spayed after her second heat or so. On the plus side, they will be able to play together and "entertain" each other while you're doing something else. We have Lily and Chunk and they are best buds. There's no problem when we're away because they have each other. A single pup would feel lonely. And hey, it's probably good training for you and your wife, taking care of them, because it actually does lend itself to taking care of a newborn, when that day arrives. Also, if you do it now, the pups ages won't be separated as much and it would be prudent to do it now instead of later (baby) at the same time. Plus, you could get your sleeping patterns down for both 2-leggers and 4-leggers, because a newborn will certainly unsettle your schedule. And who snoozes better than bullies? Good luck!

I have two males. The oldest was 4 when I got the puppy. The puppy learned the way of the world quickly, following the older dog. I love that they have each other. We have our moments, but I wouldn't hesitate again to have more than one dog. Good luck!