04 August 2012

Greyhound #2?

It's a question floating around our house. Should we adopt another greyhound? As far as dogs go, they're pretty low maintenance. Short fur, no drool, very little (if any) barking. Our current pet has peculiarities, though. She's super, super hyper during parts of the day. She's a love sponge (read: climbs into your lap at every available opportunity). She freaks out whenever we come back after leaving her alone. Rampaging, jumping, head-butting.

There are three possible outcomes to getting a second one. The problem is, we don't know which one is probable. We'd ask for a calm one (they usually come that way, but we didn't want a boring dog; we picked the most excited one in the kennel).


Scenario 1: Dog 2 Calms Dog 1 Down
Sometimes dogs can have a calming influence on each other. One gets riled up, but sees that the other one isn't joining in the romp and settles back down with its buddy. Maybe Dog 1 could learn some manners from her new friend.


Scenario 2: Dog 2 Has NO Influence on Dog 1
If we get an aloof dog, it's completely possible that Dog 2 won't be involved in Dog 1's life at all. He could just sleep all the time, maybe watch Dog 1 rampage, but Dog 1 and Dog 2 wouldn't have any common activity. Dog 1 would go her way, Dog 2 would go his. No added chaos, but no less chaos either.

Scenario 3: Dog 1 Gets Dog 2 Wound Up
Knowing Dog 1, it's entirely possible that she'd rub off on a new acquisition. Dog 2 might start out aloof and calm, but see the fun and join in. We'd have two big dogs, full of energy, and lacking in manners. And that sounds overwhelming. Someone (like, one of the people) would get killed in the mayhem.

You see our predicament.

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