We had two--Suzy and Shimano--sisters. Suzy died last summer--very sad. Shimano is almost 11. I don't really want another dog at this point because she's so easy. But, how can we tell if she needs a buddy? What are the signs?

I can send a dachshund she might like...

Does she mope around? Does she look depressed? Is she board, is she getting into more trouble now?
I have 3 dogs and they keep each other company especially when we all are away from home. When our first dog was about 11 we got 2 more, Devi seemed so old but she seemed to perk up a bit when Anna and Nali came along. We lost her at 14 and now Anna and Nali are 11 but we still have Kea who's 6 1/2 (going on 1)

Is she sad and mopping around?

Hmm--well no, she doesn't appear sad. She knows our routine and can be downright perky over anticipating peanut butter on her dry food or a treat. :lol: She doesn't get up to greet me in the morning, but once I get up and come into the family room where her bed is, I say "Is there a puppy in here?" I pet her for a bit, then read emails and head out for chores. Once I come in she's waiting for her peanut butter. :roll: Then she's alone all day--but I know all she does is sleep and chew on her rawhides because that's what she does on the weekends. As soon as I get home she usually heads outside for a bit. She's always wagging that tail when she comes back in. My husband will cuddle with her every evening and talk to "my pretty lady." :-D She's sleeps or rests a lot--but that's what older dogs do, right? Plus it's winter now, once it's nicer out, I'm sure she'll spend more time outside. I wonder if she'd even like a new dog who took attention away from her.

I would ask the vet if it is a good idea to add another one. All dogs are different, but what you see as a buddy, he may see as an intruder. I would take him out to a dog park or pet supply store and see how he reacts to other dogs. A friend may bring a dog to visit and again, study his reaction. He may be happy to have another dog around, but is safer to test him first before bringing another one in.

I think she's content enough, although you might leave the radio on for her during the day to keep her company a bit.

Karla,
I'd leave well-enough alone! We got Finn (the sheltie) when Brady (the mutt) was showing signs of slowing down, hoping that Gus (the schnauzer) wouldn't miss Brady when he went if there was a little friend here for him. Gus tolerated Finn when he was a puppy but after Brady died, Gus took a distinct and rather aggressive approach to Finn.

I think if your dog is happy like that I'd wait and get the new dog after she's gone.

I had an older dog that we thought would always want to be alone, but when we saw the end was coming, we took the plunge and got a puppy. It put a new lease on life for the older dog and she treated it like it was her own. She didn't seem sad before, but after we did it, we realized how lonesome she had been.

Hmmmm... it goes both ways. We haven't had a new dog for 10 years, and these dogs were outside--lived in the barn--for the first 3/4 of their lives. It was when Shimano started being terrified of lightning that they weaseled their way in. :wink: Now she's in all the time. If a dog comes near this place she goes nuts--never wants to play with another dog, but we haven't tried having one over since Suzy's been gone. It'd be a good idea to go a practice round. My son's fiancé has a dog that could come for a visit.