Thanks so much to everyone who has weighed in! All of you have given us stuff to think about. Those of you who've had more than two are crazy, brave, or both. Any more than two and I'm pretty sure I'd end up in a crate while they help themselves to my dinner.
I think you are wise to think really hard about why you want to add in another dog to your home. Do you want another dog? Do you think your current dog would be happier with another dog in the home?
Both. We think we have enough love and other resources to give another dog a happy home, and we think our current dog gets a little lonely sometimes. We have two cats that she really wants to be friends with, and one is receptive in bursts but the other thinks she's a philistine. She has tried to befriend the neighbor's dog, who's a bit too aggressive for my liking and lacks our dog's silly streak.
As much as I think she'd enjoy the company of another pup, I worry about the period of adjustment that she SheWhoWalks mentioned. She has thrived as an only dog. She was one of six in her foster home and having our undivided attention thrills her. Then again, she's 14 months old. A leaf blowing in the wind, or the sound of a freezer bag opening, is almost unbearably exciting to her.
She currently accompanies me to work (we're typically alone together all day) and it works pretty well, which complicates things since the goal would be for her to eventually stay home with a second dog instead. That would be a big transition. There's a chance I'll be working from home next year, which might present the best opportunity for expanding the brood. But her trainer recommended adopting sooner than that if possible since she's still in full possession of her foster home manners.
I know you said finances aren't a concern but we spend a fortune on boarding when we travel. Actually we spend a lot on our pets in general. Way more than most MMM people would agree with.
That's good to keep in mind about boarding costs. It's something we could afford, though it would be great to have two that my parents or siblings could keep up with while we're out of town. My in-laws adopted a second dog impulsively and have found it cramps their travel style because the second dog's kind of a jerk, unlike the first, and wore out his welcome with their friends.
I love the fostering suggestion. It seems like it would be very rewarding, but my wife's worried it would be difficult to let go. Her pragmatic side would agree it's a low-risk way to get a sense of whether we're cut out for double-dog duty while helping a dog in need. If she has a change of heart, I'm definitely up for it.