We call our wire haired terrier the evil demon devil dog from innermost bowels of hell. Since I obtained him from the pound in 2004, he has been a constant consternation. I can put him in a crate if I want to clean said crate and dog of dog pee. He doesn't pee because he has to go pee. He pees because he is anxious about being left alone.

Since obtaining Buster... he got his name when hubby yelled, "Cut it out Buster!" and the dog responded ... he never had a close relationship with the Jack Russell who already lived in the house. They got along sort of, but they never really cottoned up to each other.

In November of this year, at fourteen years of age, I had to have my JRT, Heidi, put to sleep. I thought Buster would have issues with some kind of grief. I'd read all about. HA! Not.

Buster is a better dog than he's ever been his entire life. He is so much more at ease being the only dog in our house. I obtained this dog because Heidi seemed to be missing our previous dog. This is absolutely the wrong reason to introduce another dog into the house.

I already know the next breed of dog I want to obtain. I will not do it until Buster goes over that Rainbow Bridge.

I'm so sorry about your loss, Chris.



You've brought up an important misconception. Lots of people seem to believe that a second dog acquired as a companion for their first dog .... "to keep him company" ... will work out great, with both dogs happy, no anxiety, no competition, just because they belong to the same species -- as if, miraculously, a dog will automatically become "friends" with another dog just because the second dog is brought into the home.

Ditto!! I know some people looking for another dog for the same reason. I hope they reconsider or be very careful!