Latchkey Lab

Question
Hi, I just recently lost my 10 yr old lab to a brain tumor and was thinking of getting another lab.  My only concern is that my children are now all grown and have moved out so during the weekday there will be no one home until 5PM. Also, some Sundays my husband and I may go off for the day and not be able to take the new dog with us.  I was thinking of doggie daycare at least 1 day a week and I am usually home on Saturdays.  Do you think that we would be spending enough time with a new dog?

Answer
I am afraid a new puppy would need more time than that.  They need a mid day break to eat and relieve themselves every day.  There is also no guarantee that a new Lab will accept what worked for the old one in day time arrangements.  No problem.  There are plenty of adult labs available that would fit into your life very well.  One of the best sources for dogs with a predictable personality is the rescue dogs.  These are dogs that lost their home, but were taken into a foster home to be retrained as necessary and placed in the right home for them.  You may find a rescue near you starting at
http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm  The rescues charge a fee to help cover their expenses, but is much less than the price of a puppy plus all its medical expenses the first year.