Feeling guilty for thinking of getting a dog

Katiehound

well if you got a rescue dog rather than a purchased puppy that should cancel out feelings of guilt.

Your new dog might well become a wonderful companion for the dog that your parents own.

SensibleSarah

Katiehound said:

well if you got a rescue dog rather than a purchased puppy that should cancel out feelings of guilt.

Your new dog might well become a wonderful companion for the dog that your parents own.

Absolutely this! If you adopt another dog when you're ready and able, you're just expanding the family further, not replacing anything. You'll still see and spend time with your family dog(s). 
I got a new rescue dog 4 days after my last dog passed away. I wasn't replacing my old dog (and they are nothing alike in breed or personality), I was just offering a new dog in need a forever home because I was able and willing to provide that. 

sheramber

When you have a second child you are not replacing the first. Your heart has plenty of  love for both.

If your new dog gets on with your family dog them he gains a playmate.

In your circumstances  a rescue dog would be preferable as you should not leave a puppy alone for hours. House training for one thing needs constant attention. 

If you go down the rescue route then take your family dog along to meet the potential new dog to make sure they get on.

Please do not buy from online sources or facebook. You have no guarantee that what you are told is true. Scammers, puppy farmers and back yard breeders  will say all the right words. 

Thry do sound genuine. That is how they work.

Savvy_Sue

sheramber said:

When you have a second child you are not replacing the first. Your heart has plenty of  love for both.

Plus, I was thinking that neither of the dogs will care ... 

Mojisola

Katiehound said:

well if you got a rescue dog rather than a purchased puppy that should cancel out feelings of guilt.

Your new dog might well become a wonderful companion for the dog that your parents own.

Whenever we've brought a new dog into the family (always rehoming an unwanted dog), the resident dog had the final say.

Dogs do have likes and dislikes and it would be horrible to bring a new dog into the the family that the older dog didn't like.

A rescue centre should be happy for you to get the two dogs together to see if they get on.

elsien

I have a timeshare dog. He’s mine and I’m responsible for all the costs and decisions but he has sleepovers at my mothers twice a week and she has him when I’m in holiday. She can’t walk him so I pay for a dog walker while I’m away.

Before the cries of horror from whoever spectacularly misunderstood earlier in the thread, this works for both of us and the dog. He gets a bigger garden to run around in 4 days a week, and gets spoiled rotten, she gets the company without the responsibility and I get ;mostly) free dog sitting while I work. On the understanding that any time it gets too much, she says no and I book doggy day care. 

Wouldn’t work for all dogs but mine is perfectly happy. So do whatever suits you. And get another dog as and when you’re ready. There’s nothing to feel guilty about - lots of homes have two dogs. Yours (when you do get another) may live in 2 different places, but so what? 

ladyholly

Have you considered fostering for a rescue at least in the short term?  I know most rescues are desperate for fosterers and you could also become a failed fosterer and adopt the dog.

kimwp

08:30 til 14:30 is too long to leave a dog on it's own.

Ms_Chocaholic

During the time you lived with your parents, did you go on holiday, trips with friends, travel for work?

sheramber

Ms_Chocaholic said:

During the time you lived with your parents, did you go on holiday, trips with friends, travel for work?

The OP covered that in a previous post.