I'm conflicted. - Update Page 5 - I've got a dog!

[Feralpeg]

As many of you know, I had to have my 13 year old golden retriever, Griffin, put down last Tuesday. I have to say that it was the hardest thing I've ever done. Even though I knew there was no alternative, it broke my heart.

I spent the remainder of that day, bawling my eyes out. Then, I told myself to buck up. It isn't the first time I've lost a pet and I figured it would take a while to get past this.

The house just seems so empty. I walk into a room expecting to see him there. I miss his snoring at the foot of my bed. I HATE IT!

So, here is my conflict. I went to a Petsmart today to get some cat treats. It was a stupid thing to do. They are having national pet adoption weekend at all Petsmarts. Needless to say, I went over to look at the dogs and I found this beautiful dog. Should I adopt him? He will not be my Griffin. Am I just over reacting to missing Griffin? My sister told me I was crazy for even thinking about getting another dog so soon. My daughter told me to do whatever I want. I just don't know what to do. Griffin's not been gone a week and I'm thinking of replacing him (although I don't think that could ever happen).

Gosh, I'm really pitiful! Here is his picture. He is only a year old. His name is Bandit.

 

[JessicaR]

I'm so sorry to hear about Griffin. I don't think you should think of another dog as a replacement because we all know that isn't possible. I think you should view it as giving another dog a chance at a wonderful life that is filled with love. We have enough love to go around and this fur baby would be so grateful.

Bandit is a very handsome boy.

 

[AshleyW]

As many of you know, I had to have my 13 year old golden retriever, Griffin, put down last Tuesday. I have to say that it was the hardest thing I've ever done. Even though I knew there was no alternative, it broke my heart.

I spent the remainder of that day, bawling my eyes out. Then, I told myself to buck up. It isn't the first time I've lost a pet and I figured it would take a while to get past this.

The house just seems so empty. I walk into a room expecting to see him there. I miss his snoring at the foot of my bed. I HATE IT!

So, here is my conflict. I went to a Petsmart today to get some cat treats. It was a stupid thing to do. They are having national pet adoption weekend at all Petsmarts. Needless to say, I went over to look at the dogs and I found this beautiful dog. Should I adopt him? He will not be my Griffin. Am I just over reacting to missing Griffin? My sister told me I was crazy for even thinking about getting another dog so soon. My daughter told me to do whatever I want. I just don't know what to do. Griffin's not been gone a week and I'm thinking of replacing him (although I don't think that could ever happen).

Gosh, I'm really pitiful! Here is his picture. He is only a year old. His name is Bandit.

First, I'm sorry for the loss of your dog. My family dog is 13 and having a lot of health problems, so I feel like it won't be long before my parents have to put him down. He's been our first and only dog, so it's so sad to think about.

Secondly, Bandit is adorable. I think you should do whatever will help you grieve for Griffin. If you'd rather not do it alone, then adopting Bandit might be a good idea. If you don't like the idea of "replacing" Griffin, it might be best to wait.

My parents' cat Rudy died when he was only a year old - the vet thought he might have had a heart condition. My mom was in the kitchen making coffee one morning before work, and Rudy walked in the kitchen and started breathing really heavy and then just fell over and died. She was so heartbroken. She left 2 days later to go out of town with my brother for a bowling tournament, and I adopted a farm kitty from a neighbor for her while she was gone. He was so cute - gray and white striped, and only 8 or 9 weeks old. I remember my mom was so mad at me when she got home - I stopped by their house and dropped off the cat. She felt like I was trying to replace Rudy for her, but after a few days she fell madly in love with this kitty. She said she felt like Emmitt (the new kitty) knew she was still upset over Rudy and was trying to comfort her.

No matter what you decide, I hope you're able to feel better soon.

 

[3jsmommy]

Sorry about your Griffin, I'm sure that you'll grieve him for a long, long time.
I don't see a reason why you can't grieve him with Bandit in your life.
If you're up for the new dog challenge I say do it, he's a beauty!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

I'm so sorry to hear about Griffin. I don't think you should think of another dog as a replacement because we all know that isn't possible. I think you should view it as giving another dog a chance at a wonderful life that is filled with love. We have enough love to go around and this fur baby would be so grateful.

Bandit is a very handsome boy.

Well said...I agree.

I am so sorry about Griffin...

 

[lisajl]

I have lost many pets over my lifetime. You can never, ever replace the one you lost, but a new one can help heal your heart. It will also help Bandit.
I know he will get a loving, caring home. Listen to your heart.
BTW-post a photo of him when you get him home!

 

[HERSEY]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

Only you know when it is time for a new pet. Sometime is months,years or just days. As long as you know it is not a replacement for Griffin and you are going to be Bandits forever home.

Best wishes and hugs for what ever decision you make

 

[KNJWDW]

I am so sorry for the loss of your dog. Unfortunately, as pet owners that is something we will all have to deal with at some point in time. However, there is nothing wrong with getting another pet. We have a golden retriever that looks almost identical to Bandit! He was a rescue dog that we adopted a couple of years ago. He is such a sweetheart. Do what your heart tells you.

Amy

 

[Feralpeg]

This is a picture of my Griffin with my daughter, Kendall, a few years back. He was a very handsome dog!

 

[Nolcrest]

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."

Author Unknown

Sorry for your loss.....Lauri

 

[LoriKay]

I'm so sorry about Griffin. It's so hard. After we lost our first greyhound we thought we'd take some time without a pet so we could travel without worrying about a petsitter/boarding and things like that. We quickly found out that our house is not a home without a pet and several weeks after we lost Chloe we adopted another greyhound. We never considered her as a replacement for Chloe and we are happy to have given another dog that needed a good home just that. We still missed Chloe terribly but Rori provided us with great joy as we watched her adjust to "the good life"!

Edit to add: I forgot to say how adorable Bandit is!!

 

[cabanafrau]

Really think about it & do what your heart tells you to do. For me, it's nearly 8 years & I long ago made the decision never again. I have the realization I'd resent another dog merely because he isn't him. I've seen lots of great dogs & can totally see them being fantastic to live with -- for someone else. When I really sit down and think about them coming into our home, just can't do it because it seems so wrong.

Last year my very elderly neighbor lost her beloved dog after almost 17 years. Understandably she was devastated. I believe she said it was within 2 weeks that there was a story on the local news where they went into a home and removed many, many dogs and even had to put some down because of the neglectful conditions they had lived in. Something compelled her to go and see the dogs at the shelter. It was several months before we realized she had a different dog. They were the same breed, looked nearly identical and it was cold weather when she got her. We realized something was up when we were out in the yard & she came out, ran to the fence & barked an actual hello rather than snarling. Neighbor came out, told us about the loss of her dog and adoption of the new one. The little sweetie had been in such hard conditions she was quite timid and very grateful for her new home. They are happy as clams.

As much as I loved my little prince, I know she didn't love hers any less & yet she was able to happily make room for another & I can't bear it. It all depends on the person and their situation. Whatever you decide is right for you, or at least right for this particular time, I hope peace & happiness find their way to you.

 

[JessicaR]

This is a picture of my Griffin with my daughter, Kendall, a few years back. He was a very handsome dog!

Thanks for sharing Griffin with us, I agree, very handsome.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

It depends. Are you ready for a new pet, training and all that jazz? Are there things that you want to do like travel? Obviously now would be a good time to do that.

My sister lost her last cat recently and she had to get more cats right away. She has 4 now. So be careful...

Here they are...

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

He's not a replacement, he's a successor. What a wonderful legacy Griffin will have left if the time he spent with you makes you that much more able and willing to let another dog into your heart.

I firmly believe that every time we lost a beloved pet (and we've lost more than our fair share of dogs... they just don't live long enough... ), they helped us find their successor in one way or another. Sometimes we let another pup into our hearts and home right away, sometimes it took a little while.

Follow your heart. If that empty paw-shaped hole in your heart is begging to be filled with another dog's love, then let Bandit in. When you've got a lot of love to share, there's no reason to let it go to waste while you work through your grief. Sometimes it helps to have a furry buddy to cry on.

Griffin may be nudging you to get another pup as he knows you need a furry friend and he may have picked just the right one for you.

We lost our beloved 14 year old Boston Terrier, Maggie, just a few months ago to kidney failure and we believe she helped lead us to her successor, Daisy, an Aussie mix rescue, in June. There were too many signs that pointed to the hand of fate to ignore so home with us she came. She's a perfect fit and she's getting to enjoy the benefits of all the work Maggie did to train us to be good doggie parents.

Best of luck to you and hopefully pictures and memories of Griffin will soon bring more smiles than tears.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

I'm so sorry to hear about Griffin. I don't think you should think of another dog as a replacement because we all know that isn't possible. I think you should view it as giving another dog a chance at a wonderful life that is filled with love. We have enough love to go around and this fur baby would be so grateful.

Bandit is a very handsome boy.

Absolutely!!!

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."

Author Unknown

This is awesome!!

 

[anniemae]

I think it is a wonderful way to honor Griffin by opening your heart and your home to Bandit, but only if you are ready.

 

[Serena]

Sounds to me that you have a lot of love to give and a dog that needs it.

Nothing will ever replace Griffin, you already know that. So don't feel bad about bringing home another dog that needs you.

 

[PlutoPony]

We caved and got another yellow lab when our beloved old guy died. At the time I was very apprehensive.... Pluto (the old yellow) was in my mind the best dog I'd ever have. And while we knew we wanted another dog, we really struggled with whether to get the same breed or not. Would having another of the same breed cause us to make direct and critical comparisons of the "new" dog to our favorite old guy?

It worked out fine for us. The 2nd lab is completely different in temperament and personality. He's goofy and definitely not as intelligent as his predecessor, but that's OK. He's a good pet and we enjoy having him around (most of the time : - that's the bottom line.

Oh - and getting a dog (especially a retriever) that's out of the worst of puppyhood is

Good luck!

 

[minkydog]

I'm sorry you lost your Griffin. No dog could ever take his place. But Bandit can be the new Bandit, if you're ready to bring a new pet into your life. Give yourself a little time to decide. It wouldn't be the worst thing you ever did to adopt a new dog.