I thanked her but advised we weren’t ready for another furry family member.īetty enjoyed our summer hikes and backpacks but we didn’t see a bounce in her step or ours. But did she need a friend? I thought so and had quietly told a couple of breeder friends at the June match to keep an eye out for us for a young yellow male Lab, just in case.Ī breeder called in July- she had a young black female available and maybe a four-year-old yellow male that she just couldn’t handle anymore. But she just didn’t have her former bounce in her step.īy July, the rainy weather and smoke from the California wildfires had dissipated, so Dave and I knew we had to hit the trail with Betty even though those hikes would remind us of Ranger. Here she supervises Dave as he prepares dinner on our backpack to South Colony lakes. At our local training sessions, she’d perked up a bit when she mingled with some of the other dogs but right before the match, she seemed to forget the meaning of “come.” Betty had some fun time as a solo dog this past summer. Her heart wasn’t into performing, with or without treats. I entered her in novice obedience and she acted as if she knew nothing about heeling even with lots of cajoling. But sleeping on our sleeping bags was more comfortable than the blue foam pad Dave carried for both dogs!Ī month after Ranger’s passing, friends at a Labrador Retriever Club of Greater Denver match show also thought Betty was depressed. He also introduced her to the delicacy of marmot poop! She enjoyed retrieving and swimming with him in alpine lakes and decided a pack on her back was okay for backpacking. He taught her much about which furniture was comfy and not to chase deer, elk, and marmots. When Betty first arrived, she’d looked to Ranger to see what was acceptable and what was not. She’d always lived with a group of dogs before she joined our family three years ago after Ranger’s Auntie Layla died. His passing left Betty as our sole canine family member. The sweet expression of Callie at 10 months of age. Ranger lived only four-plus months after his diagnosis. We looked for answers but received none from his cardiologist or our vets. How could this happen to our nine-plus-year-old boy who’d climbed 48 mountains? Nothing could save him. On January 2, 2021, Ranger was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. That was fine with me although I wondered if that was a good idea because we’d never find another dog as special as our yellow boy Ranger. And if so, would an eight-week-old puppy, an older puppy, or a young adult work for all of us including Betty? Dave’s preference was for a yellow male. The post may also raise some questions for breeders to ask prospective clients.įor months, Dave and I discussed whether we wanted and were ready for a Betty companion after we lost Ranger last spring. I’m sharing our thought process and search in hopes of helping others evaluate whether they are ready for a new four-footed family member. But we didn’t know the adventure we’d have in finding our next family member. Who couldn’t fall in love with this pup, our Ranger at four months of age?įortunately, my husband and I didn’t encounter any adverse consideration when we searched for a companion for Betty. Of course, it’s easier for a breeder to predict the compatibility if he/she is familiar with the prospective buyer. Some 40-year-olds are couch potatoes and some 70-plus individuals are very active and can easily meet the needs of an energetic puppy. The puppy and the prospective new owners need to be a good match for each other. The decision should be made on a case-by-case decision, no matter the prospective buyer’s age. Should a Labrador breeder sell to a 40-year-old? It depends! Just ask Auntie Layla who is glad wee Ranger is tired! But little puppies are so adorable!!Ī couple of months ago, I read a Facebook post that questioned whether Labrador Retriever breeders should sell young puppies to individuals 70 years and over.
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