Hi! I posted a bunch as soon as I got my dog, and never knew there was an introductions area, so here goes!
I am a single woman who cannot imagine life without a dog. My old boy, Kramer (hence the KramersMom ID) was a shelter rescue (thrown from a moving car as an emaciated, sick puppy) who was the light of my life!
He was 12, and declining rapidly. He had a large nerve sheath tumor on his side. The vet said it would cost "at least" $6,000 to remove and treat it, and it would probably come back anyway, so I elected not to put him through that (not that I have $6,000 anyway).
When it became clear he was no longer enjoying life, I had him put down. That was in April. Because I knew he was not going to be around much longer, I had gotten pre-approved to adopt a Greyhound. I researched Greyhound adoption for over a year before taking the plunge.
Just days after Kramer died, I went to look at one of the dogs that my choosen rescue group said might be a match for me--I had NO INTENTION of adopting the first dog I met, but when he smiled at me, I had no choice!
Driven by Chile is his name. They called him Chile at the track. Adoption group gave him a new nickname. Foster Mom gave him a TOTALLY different nickname--but I hated them both, so I decided to name him George in keeping with Kramer (from Seinfeld). Also my mother told me a hysterically funny story about a time when she was in college (sometime around the middle ages!) and she and a fellow got to laughing about the funniest name they could think of for a dog, and it was George.
So George it is!
We had a rough start, but things SEEM to be going really, really well now! He is just beautiful, and I really think had I not gotten a new dog right away, I might have just curled up in a ball and never left my condo again.
While I enjoy living without other PEOPLE in my life, I could barely stand the few days I was dog-less. Is it hard living alone, in an apartment with no fenced yard, and keeping a dog healthy, fit, and happy? You bet! Is it worth it? Totally!
People tried to talk me out of getting another dog. They had a fantasy that I might start up a busy social life (my mother still hopes that I'm going to turn out to be like her some day--but at 46, I think that ship has sailed!) and perhaps join the Junior League or some such.
I know I'm not the only one who can't imagine life without that special four legged someone waiting at home to tell me I am the center of his universe every time I come home. You just can't get that from PEOPLE!
There you have it! Thanks to those of you who have had good advice to share. And also thanks to the rest of you !