I am a firm believer in the fact that the Universe doesn't give us the dog that we want - it gives us the dog that we NEED. Jim may not want a dog, but for whatever reason, the Universe is giving him Jazz. The bond between them is meant to be, who are we to question it?

I have never in my life gone looking for a dog. I have never in my life been without a dog. The Universe has seen fit to give me some of the greatest moments in life, as well as some of the toughest moments - all wrapped up in dog fur.

The Universe gave you Dot for a short time. In that time, you loved her, and you gave her the best moments of her life. She needed that, and you needed to give it to her. She taught you a LOT in those few short days... lessons that you will never forget.

Another dog will come into your life - of that there is no doubt. Perhaps the Universe has something special planned for you...

Kel

We all have our own way of working through the loss of one of our beloved dogs. I've been through it many times in my 71 yrs and will do it again.

"For ME" I want another pup asap!

I have never expected or tried to replace the dogs I've lost but I've never been without one or two or three since I was a small child.

A new puppy, "for ME" takes a lot out of the sorrow of loosing one love so much but that love is now transferred onto my other GSD who will be ten in a couple of months.

Obviously I hated losing all of my dogs over the yrs but there is always that ONE special dog that somehow reaches us in a way no other one has

Of my 20 odd dogs in 71 yrs I've had three of what I would call a "once in a lifetime dog".

The dog I lost this past summer went to the top of that list within 5-6 months after I got him at 6 wks old.

I was never looking for that but always pleasantly surprised when I realized what I had.

Did that take away how I felt about all the other dogs? Absolutely NOT.

Each and every one has their own special memories that will always be in my heart with fond memories.

We can never know or predict when out heart will again be taken over so powerfully by the next pup or dog but I'll always be looking to open my heart for it again.

Thank you Kelly, he agreed to take over Jazz. I didn't think he would, as he was not wanting a dog, at all period. But it was that or rehome him. I wouldn't want him living in a home where his needs were not fullfilled, and Jim dod not want him rehomed. I am sad, as I have lost 2 dogs, but happy to see that I do not have to deal with him anymore. Working with Dot was bringing all the pleasures into having a dog, and looking back at working with Jazz, there was no longer pleasure in it.
I think I will get another pup, something north worthy, but not a husky. Either that or I am going to get a job, as I am not one to sit and do nothing. I crave that companionship that I used to have with previous dogs, and without it life is pretty darn lonely working outside alone.

Kelly and Bob, I immensely loved your way how you answered to Becky. I'm sure it will support her, to read such loving words and positive atitude. I'm also convinced that in some at the moment seemingly weird incidentes is a certain sense.

Becky this already gives to me the impression, that your Jim has got the dog he needed, how Kelly said, although he didn't want a dog. He said yes to keep him and I guess this means over time he will like him more and more. It is great you intend to get another puppy you can have pleasure with. And knows, perhaps this puppy will bring a lot of enrichment in your life and perhaps be of encouraging influence for Jazz too, how Dot was. I still believe he will change towards you too. Life is full of surprises.

 Quote: Bob Scott

We all have our own way of working through the loss of one of our beloved dogs. I've been through it many times in my 71 yrs and will do it again.

"For ME" I want another pup asap!

I have never expected or tried to replace the dogs I've lost but I've never been without one or two or three since I was a small child.

A new puppy, "for ME" takes a lot out of the sorrow of loosing one love so much but that love is now transferred onto my other GSD who will be ten in a couple of months.

Obviously I hated losing all of my dogs over the yrs but there is always that ONE special dog that somehow reaches us in a way no other one has

Of my 20 odd dogs in 71 yrs I've had three of what I would call a "once in a lifetime dog".

The dog I lost this past summer went to the top of that list within 5-6 months after I got him at 6 wks old.

I was never looking for that but always pleasantly surprised when I realized what I had.

Did that take away how I felt about all the other dogs? Absolutely NOT.

Each and every one has their own special memories that will always be in my heart with fond memories.

We can never know or predict when out heart will again be taken over so powerfully by the next pup or dog but I'll always be looking to open my heart for it again.

Oh Bob, so perfectly put, as ALWAYS

Whenever one of my dogs passes away, unless I already have a 2nd one at home to bridge the interim period, then I have to get another IMMEDIATELY -- I simply cannot live without a K9 companion ... No way I could ever come home to a Cold, Dark, Empty, LONELY house each evening !!!!

Though I do NOT discredit Kelly's philosophy (?if I understood her correctly?) of NOT purposefully seeking out our Next Dog because the one we need will automatically enter our world, I personally take a much more Pro-Active approach to my own choices in life -- I always have some Particular Breed to look for (whether buying a puppy or rescuing an adult dog) and I know the Specific Temperament traits that mesh with my personality & fit my individual Living Situation ... IMHO, there is really no reason for ME to try "putting a square peg in a round hole" at nearly 70 years of age, and I frankly don't have the time, Energy or PATIENCE to exhaust my limited emotional resources through wrestling with a Bad Fit (and here I am NOT referring to a "project dog" at all, but rather to one that will Never Suit my personal QUIRKS, for want of a better word)

I have never looked for the "perfect" dog because the "perfect dog" has always found me - that's just my own experience.

I don't go looking for something specific, because I may be overlooking what is perfect and right in front of me... Even though I currently have 4 dogs with specific personalities, I have never had a problem with whatever dog shows up not fitting into the pack...

Again, just my experiences... the Universe provides.... what we need, vs what we want... forget I said anything, it's just my own personal beliefs - perhaps it's nonsense to some..

Kel

It was perfect Kelly. All true. All my previous dogs minus a border terrier were rescues of some sort. I did not have "the perfect" dog with them all, but we fit. The border terrier did not, temperatures were much too cold for him to fit at all. I sucked up that loss (he was purchased fully from a breeder) and rehomed him, to now where he is a truckers little companion, and living the high life, going throughout Canada and the US.
One will catch my eye. I will be waiting for that.
(Edited to reword)

 Quote: Becky Niedbalka

Thank you Kelly, he agreed to take over Jazz. I didn't think he would, as he was not wanting a dog, at all period. But it was that or rehome him. I wouldn't want him living in a home where his needs were not fullfilled, and Jim dod not want him rehomed. I am sad, as I have lost 2 dogs, but happy to see that I do not have to deal with him anymore. Working with Dot was bringing all the pleasures into having a dog, and looking back at working with Jazz, there was no longer pleasure in it.
I think I will get another pup, something north worthy, but not a husky. Either that or I am going to get a job, as I am not one to sit and do nothing. I crave that companionship that I used to have with previous dogs, and without it life is pretty darn lonely working outside alone.

This is GREAT news, Becky, so you get to keep "both" of them Kudos to Jim for rising to the occasion !!!

Would you consider an AKITA as a north-worthy breed to research ??? They definitely THRIVE in the Snow -- If you ever saw the movie, "Eight Below" about a sled-dog team that was abandoned to over-winter ALONE on the ice in Antarctica, it was based on the True story about a Japanese team of AKITAS who Survived that Ordeal ... Although these dogs are NOT for Everyone, they are PERFECT for the right people with an Akita-compatible Lifestyle

If you have questions on Akitas, please ask Me, as I had my dearly beloved "shock & awe" Shaka for 10 years...

 Quote: Candi Campbell

 Quote: Bob Scott

We all have our own way of working through the loss of one of our beloved dogs. I've been through it many times in my 71 yrs and will do it again.

"For ME" I want another pup asap!

I have never expected or tried to replace the dogs I've lost but I've never been without one or two or three since I was a small child.

A new puppy, "for ME" takes a lot out of the sorrow of loosing one love so much but that love is now transferred onto my other GSD who will be ten in a couple of months.

Obviously I hated losing all of my dogs over the yrs but there is always that ONE special dog that somehow reaches us in a way no other one has

Of my 20 odd dogs in 71 yrs I've had three of what I would call a "once in a lifetime dog".

The dog I lost this past summer went to the top of that list within 5-6 months after I got him at 6 wks old.

I was never looking for that but always pleasantly surprised when I realized what I had.

Did that take away how I felt about all the other dogs? Absolutely NOT.

Each and every one has their own special memories that will always be in my heart with fond memories.

We can never know or predict when out heart will again be taken over so powerfully by the next pup or dog but I'll always be looking to open my heart for it again.

Oh Bob, so perfectly put, as ALWAYS

Whenever one of my dogs passes away, unless I already have a 2nd one at home to bridge the interim period, then I have to get another IMMEDIATELY -- I simply cannot live without a K9 companion ... No way I could ever come home to a Cold, Dark, Empty, LONELY house each evening !!!!

Though I do NOT discredit Kelly's philosophy (?if I understood her correctly?) of Not purposefully seeking out our next dog, because the one we need will automatically enter our world, I personally take a much more Pro-Active approach to my own choices in life...

Dear Kelly, no one here EVER considers Your views as "nonsense", least of all myself -- If I somehow gave you that False Impression in my previous post, it was absolutely UN-intentional I believe in the old saying of, "Different Strokes for Different Folks", as being TRUE in the majority of cases ... So sorry for any Misunderstanding !!!

Candi, I thought Akita's were very head strong? I admit I have not thought about the breed in a long time, I knew someone who had one, and could not handle its bouncy pushy attitude and rehomed it south (tho I would not have allowed half the things she let that dog do go on period!) Mind you the dog was very young, a year I think, and she had no clue on training anything..
Up here you don't just "get" a dog. You have to research south, and make double sure you are not getting ripped off. My best animals have come from farms, and unwanted litter leftovers. They were awesome. My favorite was the pyrenese/golden mix. She was much like Dot, and died way to soon.
I will def look up the breed tho! Heavy winter coat would be an asset for me!
Everyone's opinions matter to me, different views are what I want, no one will ever have a poor opinion in my book. In my chats with you all, I value all and every opinion and story!