A dog alone is a sad sight to see--he hangs his head as you leave the house, saddened to face another long day alone. Bored and anxious, a solitary dog is likely to get into trouble. Dogs are social animals (just as much as humans if not more so), and many problems that arise from their living alone are solved when another pet is present. Since most households with pets have more than one cat but only one dog, the problem of loneliness is more serious for canines.

Many families worry that a second dog will mean twice the work and trouble of one, but that is not the case. It is just as easy to walk two, and dogs who have a companion during the day are less likely to bark excessively, dig frantically, chew destructively, and jump on you energetically. Their natural energy gets expended in playing with the other pet, and they don't get into as much trouble due to boredom.

Many SPCA adopters have written to us with their stories and told how much happier they and their pets are after adopting a second one.

Jenna was a lonely walker hound looking for love. Three months after adopting Jenna, her family discovered her brother Toby was still at the SPCA. After getting reacquainted in the petting room, Jenna begged to have her brother brought home with her. The two hounds now spend hours playing together in the backyard. The Bodenheimer family is thrilled that it has all worked out so well, "We never thought we could handle two dogs, but we are certain we made the right decision in adopting again. We can't imagine life without Toby."

Sometimes best friends are from different species. Dogs and cats can become excellent companions, though it helps if they are exposed to the other species early in life (before four months). A puppy who befriends a cat in his youth, for example, can be introduced successfully to another cat even when he is grown. It is more difficult to introduce animals of different species if they were sheltered during their impressionable early stages, though it can still be done successfully if done carefully.

Snoopy is a black lab and cocker spaniel mix adopted from the SPCA at 6 months who found true love with Loce, a 4 year old cat well established in her household. The dog and cat team love to take naps together, and Snoopy imitates Loce by grooming himself as she does. The family is able to enjoy the variety that having more than one pet brings (Snoopy likes playing tag with the kids much more than Loce does), and all three species get along well together.

If you're thinking about bringing home a second but have concerns about how to do so successfully, please come in and talk with an adoption counselor. After choosing the right dog for you, feel free to bring in your other dog to see how they do together on neutral territory. Ask at the front desk for copies of "Living with Dogs and Cats" or "Bringing Home a Second Cat" for other information.