Should I Get Another Dog? For Now, I’m Borrowing My Kids’

I have had a dog my entire life — honestly, I can’t remember a single day without one, at least not until this year. When we lost Oscar, my beautiful German Shepherd and the furry co-host of Fridays with Oscar, last December, I just assumed another dog would come home eventually, and the only real question was when. Lately, though, I’ve been asking myself whether I should get another dog at all, and much to my surprise, the answer, for now, is no — so this week I’m sharing that story, along with three casual fall outfits for women over 50.

Key Takeaways

• After a lifetime of dogs, I’m waiting before getting another one.
• Life between Athens and Atlanta makes the break from daily dog care especially welcome.
• Ollie and my kids’ dogs keep me well supplied with furry company.

3 Casual Fall Outfits for Women Over 50

But first, the clothes. Any one of these outfits would be just right for a long morning of dog walking — or the kind of easy, unhurried day I used to spend with Oscar — and if you loved last week’s cozy, chic fall outfits for ordinary days, think of these as their weekend cousins.

Should I Get Another Dog? Here’s Where I’ve Landed

Now, back to that question of whether I should get another dog. The short answer is not right now, Grit & Glammers. I miss Oscar, and I love dogs — I still love walking one, the company of it, getting outside, being pulled away from whatever I’m doing because someone needs to go (a dog is very good at reminding you your inbox can wait). But bringing another dog home would mean taking all of that on again, every single day, and I know exactly what’s involved, because I’ve happily done it for years.

These days I divide my time between my home in Athens and my apartment in Dunwoody, so I can be closer to my granddaughters, and I’m enjoying being able to hop in the car and head up the road without arranging dog care first. The other option, of course, would be bringing a dog along, the way Oscar would have come with me, treats, prescription dog food and all. But dog life in an apartment is a whole different story. In Athens, Oscar had his daily walk, and the rest of the time I could simply open the back door and let him sit on his hill and survey his kingdom. In an apartment, you’re leashing up and heading outside at least three times a day, minimum, rain or shine. It’s quite an adjustment for a woman who has spent her whole life wondering whether the dog has been fed and when he needs his next walk, but honestly? I’m comfortable keeping things this way for a while. That’s not a sentence I ever thought I’d write, but here we are. C’est la vie.

Oscar, My Beautiful Boy

Part of what makes this decision so tender is Oscar. If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you knew him, and so many of you watched him grow older right along with me and loved seeing him here. He was such a steady companion to me, especially after I lost Mr. Style.

I struggled quite a bit after my husband died, and what pulled me back, little by little, was the normalcy of everyday life — and Oscar was a big part of that. He needed his breakfast, he needed his walk, and there were familiar things to do every day even when so much of my life suddenly felt unfamiliar, because dogs simply don’t let you skip the day. And then there was the comfort of just having him there, which anyone who has ever loved a dog understands without my having to explain it.

I miss my beautiful boy, and I always will. Loving another dog someday would be its own experience — a whole new chapter — and for now I’m giving myself the time to decide whether that’s something I want.

Life Between Two Homes (and One Cat)

In the meantime, life has taken on a whole new shape, and I’m not exactly rattling around alone. I have Ollie, my Maine Coon, keeping me company, and there’s plenty of personality in this house even without a German Shepherd (cat people, you understand). Ollie and I have our routines, and I’m slowly getting used to a different rhythm — after a lifetime of dogs, it still feels a little strange to come and go as I please, but I’m enjoying it, too.

There are granddaughters to see, work to do and trips I want to take, and I love spending time in Atlanta and then coming home to Athens. There’s a lot I love about how my life looks these days, and I want to enjoy it.

The Good News: My Kids All Have Dogs

And on the days I do miss having a dog underfoot, I don’t have to look far. My kiddos have made sure there’s no shortage of dogs in my life — I get the greetings at the door, the company, the walks and the dog hair on my black pants (some things never change), and then I get to go home. There are definite advantages to being the grandmother, and apparently those extend to the grand-dogs, too.

Spending time with theirs has shown me I can still have dogs in my life without bringing one into my own home just yet, and make no mistake, I’m still very much a dog person — that hasn’t changed one bit. Will I feel differently a year from now? Possibly, and that door stays wide open. For now, between Ollie and the grand-dogs, I have plenty of company.

Closing Thoughts

I really thought getting another dog would be the easiest decision in the world — after all, I’d always had one. Instead, I’ve found I can miss Oscar terribly and still enjoy having a little less on my plate, and it took me a while to admit that, even to myself. Maybe someday I’ll be introducing you to a new dog right here on the blog. Until then, you’ll find me in a good jacket and comfortable shoes, happily borrowing my kids’.

Style has no expiration date — and neither do you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get another dog after losing one?

Think about whether you want the daily responsibility of a new dog and whether it fits your life right now. I assumed I’d get another after losing Oscar, simply because I’d always had dogs, but once I thought about my schedule and my time between two homes, I realized I wanted to wait.

Is it okay to wait before getting another dog?

Yes. You can love dogs, miss the one you lost, and still appreciate a break from daily dog care. I haven’t set a deadline for deciding, and for now I’m comfortable waiting.

Can you have a dog if you split your time between two homes?

Yes, as long as you can meet the dog’s needs in both places and arrange care when you need it. For me, going back and forth between Athens and Atlanta is simpler without those arrangements, which is one of the reasons I’m holding off.

How can you enjoy dogs without owning one?

Spending time with family or friends’ dogs gives you the companionship and the walks without the full-time responsibility. My kids all have dogs, so I still get plenty of dog time without one of my own.

Is a cat easier than a dog for women over 60?

It depends on how you live. A cat doesn’t need walks and keeps a more independent schedule, while a dog gives you built-in exercise and routine. For this season of my life, Ollie suits me beautifully.

Related Reading on Style at a Certain Age

• Fridays with Oscar — the drinks, recipes and good company of our Friday series
• Weekend Notes: Atlanta — Officially Moved In
• Cozy, Chic and Comfortable: Fall Outfits for Ordinary Days

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Before You Go

Have you taken a break between dogs, or did you know you wanted another one right away? I’d love to hear how you decided in the comments.

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