We don’t usually talk about collecting animals, and yet many people are drawn to the same breed every time they’re looking for a pet. I’m not talking about keeping large amounts of animals confined in a small space, which isn’t healthy for the animals, but having two or three, or going for the same breed time after time. I can think of several people off the top of my head who are Golden Retriever people, or Lab people, or English Setter people.
I’ve been thinking about this, because our very spoiled and pampered Siberian Husky passed very suddenly just recently. After the initial shock wore off, we’ve begun tentatively thinking about a new dog, and all I can think of is another Husky. Now, while I loved this dog to pieces, Huskies have some very annoying traits. They love to dig, and our backyard is full of the holes to prove it. They hate to be alone, and as a pup she’d start destroying things around the house to express her displeasure. But the major drawback is that they were bred to be sled dogs racing across the tundra, so whenever they get the opportunity they will run and run and not come back until they are good and ready. So when she managed to escape our fenced yard, she had me running around the neighborhood after her like a fool, hoping to keep her from taking out one of the neighbors’ cats. As far as she was concerned a small furry animal was a snack. But they are very sweet, friendly dogs, and great with kids and other dogs. And they are SO beautiful. So logically I know that I should get a breed that will stay in the yard, not flip out when I leave the house and not be nicknamed “The Bunny Slayer,” but I want another Husky.
Okay, so I’ve gone on and on about my dog enough. I’d be interested to hear what other people think about this – is this a common thing – being drawn to same type of pet time after time?
Siberian Husky Rescue – Lots of dedicated people are working hard to find homes for Huskies whose original owners couldn’t deal with their, uh, less admirable traits.
February 2nd, 2007 at 11:08 AM
I believe it is a common phenomenon. We grew up with black and grey tiger cats in my family and when it was time to get a pet when we were adults both my brother and I separately got cats that looked just like the one we grew up with when we were young. Truthfully, at this point it would be hard to think of another type without feeling like I was missing out somehow.
February 2nd, 2007 at 10:43 PM
It’s both true and un-true. I loved my Great Dane so that I still can’t bear to get another for fear of comparing the new one to the Grand one… it wouldn’t be fair to the new dog. I have other dogs (2 now) but no Danes.
Also, on a related note, I did animal rescue for years and ended up with 36 critters in a townhouse
So I do know how easy it is to ‘collect’ them too lol
February 4th, 2007 at 5:59 PM
I know what you mean – on one level I’m afraid I’m looking for a little Sasha (my old dog), but I just can’t get excited about any other breed. We’re going to give it a few months before we get another dog, though.
That’s great that you did animal rescue – I had my hands full with one, much less 36 animals!