Hurting after loss & need a new lab

[kassabella]

I would like to thank everyone for the advice, I would also like to clear up issues I should have hit on when I started. First yes we both are 58yo with disability, but we are ambulatory and yes we cant afford to outright buy a pup because we are on a fixed income and I was looking through the ad's in this site and 2K? 3K? for a pup. Perhaps $500 we could afford. And before Ginger died we had 2 labs now down to one but we managed to feed and vet them both, back to our disabilities my wife cant walk very good however our labs were a big part of my exercise, they get me up at 4am for our morning walk. We dont have a big yard but enough for a dog run. We are looking localy for a breeder and intend to ask to make payments.

Oh my 2k for a puppy. A lot of poeple could not afford that, or be prepared to pay that.We have a huge yard and the dogs prefer to stay inside or sleep on the deck. I can understand Labs being part of your excersise. I have missed not being able to take Erns on my long walks as he has joint issues, and feel bad for him. I enjoyed taking Tessa last week.
Pup or older dog there is nothing like a dog in the house to make you feel alive each day.

Look forward to seeing your new dog.

[dweck]

And again I'll state that pricing for Labs is HIGHLY regional, with the East Coast being high-end. Shop around. Your $800 can go far, even factoring in travel expenses.......

[Tanya]

And again I'll state that pricing for Labs is HIGHLY regional, with the East Coast being high-end. Shop around. Your $800 can go far, even factoring in travel expenses.......

x10
Are you at all able to drive to Ontario (depending where you are it may not be a terrible drive)? The prices here seem to be closer to the $1000

How many breeders have you spoken/e-mail with prices of $2000? Prices are regional but those seem high. but IF that is the going rate where you are, go abit farther away. Or look at rescues.

But please, don't find a breeder that is cheaper because they cut corners (do a few or none of the clearances, don't compete with their dogs).

I adopted a dog because at the time I did not want to pay $1000 for a dog and I didn't want to deal with a puppy. Best decision I could have made, he's an amazing lab. I have also fostered really great labs. and though this pup is abit farther out it gives you an idea of what you can find in rescue:

Mia the Chocolate Lab

[Owned_by_Titus]

Im very sorry for your loss. Our animals become our children in a sense, and losing them is very difficult. Titus is our first lab pup, we have always had Great Danes, and the amount of energy this little guy has is so much more than a Dane pup! Maybe an older dog is the way to go? Also, you just lost your pal not very long ago, sometimes getting another pup right away doesnt always work out. When we lost our Fergus ( GD) last July, I took it very hard. I so missed him that I thought having another puppy to love would be the answer, to get my mind of losing him. So I went out and rescued a pup from the pound. I couldnt "attach" to this puppy. Kept comparing him to my Fergus. After a few months, I had to rehome him ( with a very nice family). He needed what I couldnt give him, because I was still greiving for my Fergus. It took me 11 months to be ready for another dog. Again, I am very sorry for the loss of your friend.

[BigBrownDog]

I would like to thank everyone for the advice, I would also like to clear up issues I should have hit on when I started. First yes we both are 58yo with disability, but we are ambulatory and yes we cant afford to outright buy a pup because we are on a fixed income and I was looking through the ad's in this site and 2K? 3K? for a pup. Perhaps $500 we could afford. And before Ginger died we had 2 labs now down to one but we managed to feed and vet them both, back to our disabilities my wife cant walk very good however our labs were a big part of my exercise, they get me up at 4am for our morning walk. We dont have a big yard but enough for a dog run. We are looking localy for a breeder and intend to ask to make payments.

2-3K is exorbitant even for the NYC metro area. I don't know where you found prices like that but I bet it was with a broker selling "rare" colors.

[windycanyon]

Look into breeders into your area who may want to place a young (or older) adult. I just placed my first here, not due to need on my part, but for more attention for her. She is 7.5, very puppyish, has multiple titles, is spayed w/ current bloodwork, vaccinations, etc.. This was a family w/ 2 young boys, who knew they needed to get a mellower dog and had already waited for the right pup for over a year. No training needed, got a healthy dog that is reliable off leash, etc--- and she's having the time of her life. Opportunities are out there but you may need to be patient.

[dweck]

2-3K is exorbitant even for the NYC metro area. I don't know where you found prices like that but I bet it was with a broker selling "rare" colors.

Not necessarily. One of the litters we were tracking in the Phila area -- a first-time litter, no goofy colors or hypoallergenic coats -- was asking $2,300 for a pup. All the clearances were there and Mom & Dad were titled on both ends, but still......

[Labmom2Sun]

Another option would be to check out a local guide dog organization. They often have waiting lists to adopt their "career change" dogs, but it could be well worth the wait. Some dogs don't make the cut to be guides because of their personalities or or minor health issues, but they're great pets. We adopted Sundance through one, and when he came to us at eight months old, he was very well trained, and even then, low energy and low maintenance for a Lab. The adoption fee was $500. Probably the best $500 I've ever spent.

Sometimes older dogs are returned to the organizations when they retire as guides, or because their adopters can't keep them anymore. When I was going through the adoption process, dogs of various ages were being placed.

I'm sorry for the loss of your beloved pet. Good luck on finding your new best friend, whatever you decide.