I know this is probably a weird fear but...
 

I am planning to add a second dog to my family. Originally, I thought for sure it would be a puppy, but a breeder has offered me a beautiful 6 year old dog. She is so sweet looking, and beautiful, but is the same age as my Teddy. I know his might be strange for me to think about but...I feel worried thinking about having two dogs that are about the same age, because I know that means that they could pass away at a similar time, and I feel worried about if I can handle that, because it would make me feel so sad. I love this dog just from her picture, and she looks like such a sweetie, I just worry about attaching myself. Part of me wants two dogs that have more of an age gap so that I don't have to go through it all at the same time.

What do you guys think?

I understand your concerns because my boys are very close in age. But, don't let that you hold you back if you like this girl. Focus on the positive, like she is a good match for your Teddy, she is beautiful, and has already made an impression on you.

Life is full of uncertainty and there is nothing that says same age dogs will pass at the same time.

Idk if this will help any but my mom has a 5 year old Pom/poodle mix and was offered a yorkie who is also 5. She met him and instantly fell in LOVE with him, just had a great connection. She said it was the best decision taking him because she can't be any happier with her two babies. And the two dogs took to each other like they grew up together.

In other words, if you love her just by her picture I don't think you should let her age stop you. 6 isn't old and you could enjoy many more years with both of them. :love:

Not a weird fear at all.....actually shows great insight, I think.......when I decided I wanted to own Yorkies, I bought one, then a year later, I bought another, then less than a year later, I bought 4 more that were all within a month of age. This was back in the late 70's, and I did not give a second thought to getting these adorable pups, which were all BYB products...they had all been taken good care of, and were not abused, but their breeeding/pedigrees was not a concern for the people that were raising them....and when I started loosing them to age and senior health concerns (all at ages 8-10 yrs old), it was all within 2 years....those last 4 all passed within 6 months....I thought I was going to die with them....my heart was totally crushed.....seems like all I did for 2 years was cry my heart out and bury my little dogs.....when it comes to loosing these precious little souls, I am not a strong person, it really adversely affects me, and I would not ever set myself up for such heartache again.....true, life is unpredictable, and you never know how much time you are given with your babies....but if you play out on the freeway, you greatly increase your chances of getting hit by a car....so I just dont go there!

I totally understand your concern. Although I think it would be great for Teddy to have a friend that is close to his age. My dogs are 14, 6, and 6 months. The 6 year old and the puppy are great friends most of the time, but I think she would be happier with a dog a little less energetic.

I say if this girl has already touched your heart, go for it. Life has no guarantees. You could buy a pup and something could happen a couple of years later, or you could buy a 6 year old and have her for another 10 years. I am a great worrier about what-ifs, but we can what-if ourselves into a state of psychosis!:eek: Go with your heart.:wub:

go with your heart, stop over thinking stuff

I feel guilty, but I think that I am going to get a puppy:-/ I do think an older dog would be easier, but I want to space out the ages a little. I know that no one looks forward with losing loved ones, I just hope spacing it out a little will be good. I'm going to get a baby from Teddy's breeder. Thank you so much for all of your kind and insightful comments:)

Nothing to feel guilty about! Do what's best for you.

I understand wanting to spread out the ages a bit. I've only ever had yorkies, one at a time. When my last yorkie, Chelsea, passed away, I was completely devastated. It took me three years before I could consider another yorkie. Now I have ZoE (2 1/2 years old) and keep thinking I should get another so I'm never in that "lost my one & only dog" situation again....but I'm just not ready to make that jump yet.

When will you be getting your puppy? Are you thinking boy or girl?

You need to go with how you feel. Are you looking at a boy or girl?

I agree with YorkieMom1. Losing Minnie just ripped the heart out my chest and I just can't imagine if I lost a second yorkie in the same 1-2 year span. We briefly thought about getting a second yorkie a few years ago, but were definitely going young (before deciding against it since Minnie wasn't that good around other dogs and would probably view a second as an enemy rather than friend).

Teddy will love having a puppy to play with. Don't feel guilty. You are doing what is best for you and your furbabies. Keep us updated with pictures.

I think I will be getting the puppy in mid to late July, or beginning of August. I'd like a girl, but if she has a boy who is better suited to me, that's nice too!

A girl:)

Yes, I thought about it so much the last few days, and I just decided that I want to space out the ages. It was such a hard choice, the older dog looks like such a sweetie. I have no doubt she will find an amazing home. I put pictures of the puppies in an album. I'll be going to see them tomorrow:)