How soon for a new dog?

[Ness2289]

I recently put my loyal and beloved cocker spaniel down at the age of 12 and a half. It has been very difficult over the last week or so, to say the least. My DD7 has already asked when we will get another dog. I told her that Mommy is very sad right now and that I wasn't ready. I do know, however, that we will get another one as I love dogs and their companionship. For those of you who have lost and moved on to a new furry friend, how long did you wait?

 

[Honu]

I'm so sorry.

I've never made it more than 2 weeks before we had a new one.

I admit to being abnormally devastated when my dogs pass and I continue to mourn all of them, even writing that made we tear up, having the companionship of a new little fur ball really helps me remember all the wonderful times I had with the other dog though and it's always helped me to move on. Do whatever feels right for you.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

It actually took me 8 months from when Babe died that I decided to get Mabel. I am still VERY upset over Babe....some nights it is just unbearable...but Mabel is a good dog too.....

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I don't think that there's a magic length of time. So far we've only had cats get old and die and we've always had more cats than the old one, so I've never been without a pet, but we do have an old dog (and a youngish one). Some people want to get another pet right away, like Honu said. Friends of mine lost their dog probably a year ago and they want to get another dog, but haven't yet. They were waiting until after a trip, for practical reasons, and are now deciding when they want to get another dog and what kind. No right answer and as long as you are able to show love to another dog, the new dog is not going to know that you are still grieving.

Sorry about the loss of your dog!

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

I have lost two geriatric dogs this month from two unrelated illnesses . It was horrible, but I have a new Golden Retriever puppy coming this August. I should be ready by then.

 

[disneyfanatic60]

First, I am so sorry for the loss of your precious furbaby. I lost my beloved dog Coco to lymphomia in early October at just 8 years old. He was my dog and to this day I miss him more than words could say.

At first, I thought I would not want another dog. My children are now 22 and 18 and I wasn't sure at all how I felt about it. However, the emptiness I felt was so overwhelming and my children felt the same way. After two weeks my children started looking for another dog to rescue. We adopted a lab-mix just 3 weeks after losing my furbaby.

You will know when the time is right. Just trust your instinct.

 

[MossMan]

For those of you who have lost and moved on to a new furry friend, how long did you wait?

When I was 12, my companion since birth, my best friend ever, my shadow every moment I was not at school, got cancer. With a heavy heart, my Dad eventually had to make an appointment to have my beloved dog put down.

When the day arrived, I didn't think I could go. It hurt too much to think of Breezy being put down. But my Dad insisted, telling me that she had been there for my whole life and I needed to be there for the end of hers. On the way home (to my surprise) we stopped by an animal shelter and picked up a new puppy.

There were some family members who argued that this was "too soon" and somehow showed "disrespect" for Breezy.

All I know is that I loved my Dad for doing that.

 

[PrincessPatty]

My best friend past away in August 2003, I thought that I needed a new furbaby to fill the void so we got Nikeisha in September 2003. She didnt fill the void, I feel so bad saying this, but it took us the first year to warm up to her, not that we treated her badly, but she wasnt Kasey

3 years later, I couldnt imagine life without her, she is my new best friend, but that first year was tough on us.

ETA: So sorry for your loss, it is so hard

 

[Snowysmom]

I think it really depends on the person. Some people want the companionship of another pet right away and others cannot think of another pet for quite a while. I lost my dog last month and while I have been looking on petfinder I really can't think of another pet right now. I just know I would like to rescue one if and when I get another dog. You have to do what you are comfortable with.

 

[DVC Sadie]

We have always had more than one dog at a time. When the time is right for you and your family to get a new pet, you will just know.

So sorry for your loss.

 

[KathyTX]

Bring a new friend home as soon as you think you're ready. I think that bringing home a new dog to love and to love you is a great tribute to the furbaby who's gone.

Your new friend will never take the place of your old friend. Your heart and your home are big enough for a new love.

We brought a new furbaby into our home when our sweet Sambuca was a very senior citizen. A few months later, we lost Sambuca, and the new addition was a great comfort to us and helped to heal our broken hearts.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I don't know that I have an answer for you, but I wanted to send some My family lost our beloved cocker spaniel a few years ago too. She was such a part of our family (we bought her when my dad was diagnosed with cancer and she outlived him by 10 years.) She was like our last link to him. We waited a year before we got my mom another cocker spaniel (we had all moved out for college and graduated from college through those 10 years.) She really needed that companionship. I, however, cannot bring myself to get another dog. She was really MY baby. Out of our whole family I was the closest to her and I don't know if I can go through another loss like that. Hugs and wishes to your family that things will work out and be ok. Just wanted you to know you're not alone.

 

[Ness2289]

Thanks for all of your advice. I am hoping that I will be ready by the summer so my daughter and I can bond with our new friend while we are off from school. If not, it will happen when the time is right. I appreciate all of the hugs! You guys are great!

 

[Lilo's Mom]

My 17 year old LhasaPoo, Skittles passed away 11/17/05. Skittles was originally supposed to belong to my DD, and although they loved each other very much, I was Skittles' person. Skittles had been with me through the loss of both of my parents, my grandmother, two cats and the end of my marriage. Although I wasn't faced with the decision to put her down, (she never actually got sick, but passed away in her sleep) it was extremely hard for me, I cried every day for three months.

In early February DD and I started to go to shelters looking for a dog. Although we saw some really beautiful and loveable dogs, none of them even made me smile. One day my DD, came home school and said she wanted to take me for a ride. Apparently DD had been to the pet store the day before and had checked out the puppies....she felt she had found "THE ONE", so she brought me there to see. They put us in a play area and brought in the cutest little ball of fur who promptly ran up to me and started kissing my face. I know it sounds crazy, but I knew right there, this was the time and this was the puppy. I love Lilo with all my heart, she will never be Skittles. and I don't want her to be. It's like children, you love them for who they are, and they are all different and unique in their own way. Trust me, when you are ready you will know!