I always said I would adopt my next Dobe and still intend to but not straight away. My next doesn't need Jazzies shadow over him/her. I know my heart will mend but it's ripped up right now.
I guess you could say I have adopted 2 dogs so far in my lifetime.
Both at right about 2 yrs of age.
The first was a Great Pyrnese (mostly) mix and a nightmare. Dog came with every single type of worm and parasite known to doggie kind + a wide spectrum of mental / behavioral problems that I spent a good few years trying to help her overcome before finally tossing in the towel. There was a long, long list of very valid reasons her owner wanted that dog GONE and I was dumb enough to take her in. If I could go back in time I would have ran away from that dog and her owner and never looked back.
I would not wish that dog and its problems on my worst enemy is how bad it was...
Agatha (my new Dober girl) came from a home where there was one other female Doberman there that she simply could not get along with and she was getting tore up every time she would start crap with her. Agatha is lucky she did not get hurt a LOT worse than she did...
She has been nothing short of an absolute blessing here in my home so far. Zero issues with her health OR her getting along with my older girl and zero issues with her in my home as far as house behavior stuff is concerned. Previous owner lady obviously did a lot of training with her and about all I have to do is polish the rough edges...
I am absolutely NOT missing any of the puppy garbage!
I would not worry about the other dogs shadow and go ahead and start your search knowing that NO dog will ever replace the one you lost or ever be exactly the same. Doesn't work that way as every dog is going to have their own individual personality and their own strengths and weaknesses.
I was seriously considering getting another Doberman puppy (or two) after I lost Patience but lucked up and found Agatha and decided to take a chance on her instead of the puppy thing.
Was VERY hesitant because of the previous 'rescue' experience I had but...
Did I mention what a blessing this girl has been?
I doubt I will ever have another Doberman that comes close to being like Patience was - That girl was special in a bunch of different ways.
I will never forget Patience and for sure will never find another dog just like her but it most definitely helped me get over my loss having Agatha here now. Pretty sure adding her to the family helped Dystopia as well.
As much as I love Dystopia there is some stuff that I is not willing to do for her that Agatha WILL gladly do.
Tongue down the ear hole being one of those things -
