Is adopting two "middle aged" pugs good for our 13 year old?

[PugPop]

My wife and I have a 13 y.o. sweetheart of a pug (aren't they all?) that suffers from degenerative myelopathy and therefore is fairly wobbly on her hind legs (unless there is food involved!). The vet assures us that the condition does not cause her any pain and our perception is likewise. It is, of course, a degenerative condition and I have now started helping hold her up when she poops. Until a couple of months ago she had a lifelong companion that we lost due to a collapsed trachea. My wife and I are considering adopting a pair of pugs that are 4 and 5 years old. There are multiple reasons for the adoption including not wanting Kiwi to be lonely when we are gone for a portion of the day. These two pugs come at the recommendation of both the foster mom and the coordinator of the pug rescue organization we are working with. Our concern is that Kiwi will be "left out" or be a "third wheel", something we can do nothing about while we are out. We will be taking Kiwi to meet them tomorrow but Kiwi may not be herself at the meet and greet as she tires easily (the journey is an hour+ away). Are our concerns legitimate or am I anthropomorphizing too much? Any kind and honest input is welcomed. Please help!

[PugSavers]

I applaude you for being concerned with your 13 year old "baby". That is the sign of a true pug lover :-). In my experience, (I've been doing rescue for more than 14 years), pairs of pugs that have been together for any period of time tend to be bonded to eachother. When placed with other pugs, they continue this connection and the other pug is, in fact a "third wheel". If you do adopt them, I would keep them separate when you are not present.

Feel free to PM me if you would like. And bless you for looking for a rescue pug!!

[Rosiepug]

Personally, while my head is saying rescue the bonded couple, my heart is saying keep your 13yr old as a singleton. I know there will be many who disagree but I think your baby will be happier in long run. It takes a lot to adapt to a new member and what your proposing isn't one but two.

I would really spoil the pug you have and enjoy every moment and day that you have together and then adopt new family members.

For as much as we say one is not enough, I truly believe for some pugs, especially in the later stages of life, being a singleton and living the life of luxury is preferable to trying to adjust to new members, at a time in life where adjustments cause anxiety and depression.

Sorry if this is comes across as a negative post but it's my true feeling on the subject but I respect whatever decision you finally make.

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

Is your senior depressed after his pal died or is he enjoying the extra attention? Some dogs yearn for a companion, others would rather have their people all to themselves.

You know your dog better than any of us. he may be fine with a pair, but more than likely one middle-aged dog would be best.

Take care,
Lisa

[Bethy]

I think your concerns are legitimate. You have a lot on your plate, dealing with a special needs pug, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it won't work out. Are you gone all day? If so, I would opt not to adopt two more. If you or someone else are home all day, and can be there all the time, to make the transition flow a little more easily, I might say, try it.

This is one of those situations, where a short trial period, might be in order, for all the dogs concerned.

[Tina F]

I too do rescue for over 11 yrs now...I have found in the past that if you have a pair going to a home together it does take them a bit to integrate with the new dog and can form their own little pack...being your girl is 13 I would say if you want another pug get one for now, wait until it is settled then adopt a second in a few months.
A thought for your girl is to order a cart from Eddie's wheels..they are a great company that make wheels for dogs that can't use their back legs...they set in the cart and use their front legs to get around and the back end is on wheels...I have used them before and they are wonderful..your girl will fit right in with another pug.
Good luck and keep us posted

[crazypugmom]

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. A bonded pair will probably just hang together while your current girl continues "as is". However, that is not bad either. In the last two years, I lost my first two pug boys. They were littermates and very bonded. Five years ago, we did add a female pug to our family who happened to be one of my foster pugs. Shortly after we adopted her, we found out that Pugsly had COPD. My thoughts were that there would be another pug for Taz if his brother passed away.

Anyway, we lost Pugsly two years ago, but it was Chyna who mourned his death more then his brother. We ended up adding another rescue pug mix about 5 months after Pugsly's death then seven months later, we lost Taz.

I can say from my thoughts that if these two pugs are bonded then I would not have any trouble bringing them into my home. My biggest fear would be losing my current girl and having an empty house. While these two pugs may not bond with your girl immediately, they will have each other. You can still have plenty of love and attention for your current girl while also loving the new ones. Then, heaven forbid when the time comes, your house will not be empty. That is just my two cents!

Whatever decision you make will be the right one for you.

[Dieselsmom]

A thought for your girl is to order a cart from Eddie's wheels..they are a great company that make wheels for dogs that can't use their back legs...they set in the cart and use their front legs to get around and the back end is on wheels...I have used them before and they are wonderful..your girl will fit right in with another pug.
Good luck and keep us posted

Be careful if you get wheels for your girl that she doesn't immediately rely on her wheels and stop using those back legs. My Makayla has DM and we have wheels for her. However, when we put her in the wheels, she refuses to use her back legs and this isn't what we want. We want her to continue using her back legs for as long as possible because as soon as she stops using them, the muscle will deteriorate even faster and she'll go "down" in the back end much faster than she would if she continues using her back legs on her own, no matter how wobbly she is.

BTW, I had to laugh when you said your girl is wobbly in the back end, unless there's food involved. People who see Makayla when she's just walking about always are impressed at how well she can run when properly motivated! Last weekend, she hauled ass all over my brother's yard barking at fireworks - you'd never know from seeing her then that she normally has a very difficult time walking!!

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. A bonded pair will probably just hang together while your current girl continues "as is". However, that is not bad either. In the last two years, I lost my first two pug boys. They were littermates and very bonded. Five years ago, we did add a female pug to our family who happened to be one of my foster pugs. Shortly after we adopted her, we found out that Pugsly had COPD. My thoughts were that there would be another pug for Taz if his brother passed away.

Anyway, we lost Pugsly two years ago, but it was Chyna who mourned his death more then his brother. We ended up adding another rescue pug mix about 5 months after Pugsly's death then seven months later, we lost Taz.

I can say from my thoughts that if these two pugs are bonded then I would not have any trouble bringing them into my home. My biggest fear would be losing my current girl and having an empty house. While these two pugs may not bond with your girl immediately, they will have each other. You can still have plenty of love and attention for your current girl while also loving the new ones. Then, heaven forbid when the time comes, your house will not be empty. That is just my two cents!

Whatever decision you make will be the right one for you.

My initial reply was going to be don't do it since the pair may very well not bond with your girl. But after reading Leslye's reply, I have to agree with her. Even if the new pair doesn't bond with your girl, as long as they don't upset her, then I say go for it. Keep in mind, though, that stress can really progress the symptoms of DM, so you'll want to keep your girl's stress level as minimal as possible. And remember how difficult this journey with your girl is going to get once she goes down - they're a lot more demanding of time and attention than your healthy pugs will be.

Good luck with your decision. And if you ever want to "chat" about DM and this journey you're on, feel free to PM me or e-mail me. I've found I learn a lot from others with dogs with DM as I continue this journey with my Makayla.

[hotrod351]

i had a 16 year old that i had to say good bye to about 9 months ago. the last 4 years of his life he had back leg problems, he was happy and loved his food so i figured he was alright. anyway when he was 8 years we got another pug, puppy, they were happy together. as the older one started having his problem, about 12 years, the younger one was thought to not pick on him, must say she was good about it and all was good. well when he was about 13 years i had the opportunity to have a pug but knew it would be cruel, both to him and the new one. i felt it wasnt worth seeing if the new one would not think he could run and play with her, i wouldnt take that chance. well about a month after i said goodbye to him i found my little lucy. her and my 8 year old get along great. so i have to say no.

[ayleash]

My first thought is "not a problem, probably a nice livening up" of the place and space (many dogs brought to a kennel find it very stimulating - much more so than their regular lives are!)... and I agree - keep an eye on things as they get used to each other and learn to respect the wobbler.

and bless you.