Regalis
Notable member
Sound advice, thank you!
I'm just unsure about jumping in with two front feet with my emotions being the way they are.
As for his name, it would have to change. As confusing as it would be at the beginning, they quickly learn.
The empty home and not being greeted with a wagging tail and nose poke is hard, really hard.
But why are you unsure, that's what you have to ask yourself. Really, you don't need to give me an answer just think about it.
If you stuck with a name that has a rhyming end sound (Toby or Moby, fir example) the pup.would likely pick it up super quick. For whatever reason, dogs seem to focus on the end sound of a word - Kaizer will come just as readily to Killer, for instance.
At the end of the day, it's a decision only you and your family can make. I missed the nose pokes, wiggly butt, cuddles, etc too much to live without multiple dogs. Having one just didn't seem "right" as we have always had 2+. I truly think it helped my emotions, it gave me something new to focus my time and energy into and the reward was getting all the cool dog quirks back. I won't lie, there were days where I questioned myself and thought I couldn't love a new dog as much as I loved the one before - but then I'd get puppy kisses and all my doubts went away.