Offshoot from another thread: How do you know when you are ready for a new fur baby?

[Robindianne]

After reading about wonderful fur parents letting go of their babies, and since my 13 year old sweet collie mutt died of metastatic lung cancer recently, I'm wondering how to know when to get another dog? I miss her awfully, and our other pup has never known life without her and still cries for her every so often.

 

[sunnyday123]

We lost our dog a little over 2 years ago, and I don't think we would've ever got another if we had waited for the "right time." But DD was so upset about it she needed another dog. She went back and forth with wanting one and not wanting one, and it was a little over a year when we got our new puppy. She wanted something opposite of a Lab, so we ended up with a Newf-and they are ironically similar breeds. It was the best thing we could have done, because she filled that spot that was missing.

 

[walden]

After reading about wonderful fur parents letting go of their babies, and since my 13 year old sweet collie mutt died of metastatic lung cancer recently, I'm wondering how to know when to get another dog? I miss her awfully, and our other pup has never known life without her and still cries for her every so often.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my 12 year boy very suddenly in July and still miss him too.

As to how soon to get another dog? It depends on the individual situation, but I think when you start asking yourself the question then it is probably time to start looking for the right match for your family!

I think of getting a new dog as the ultimate tribute to the late dog's love and companionship, but never as a "replacement" for him, and it never feels disloyal. I was also guided by the surviving dog who really pined for her brother so we waited only 3 weeks.

So, in our case, a very sweet mellow old boy is still missed, but training a mischievious but loving 3 year old "teenager" takes up a lot of energy and helps us deal with the sadness. Good luck, whatever your decision.

 

[Jockaroo]

I am so sorry for your loss. It hurts so much. Time varies for each person and even can vary given the type of loss. My neighbors rescued a new Cocker less than two weeks after they lost their sweet girl to a very long, hard-fought illness. This dog is wonderful and has healed their hearts and given their other dog his youth back.

In my case, we lost our first dog to a lengthy illness (also hard-fought). She wasn't really old, but had been sick for a while. Our older dog missed her. He was nearly deaf and the only thing he could hear was her barks. We brought a young adult dog home three months after she passed. When our geriatric dog (14 1/2) passed last fall, we knew we wanted another dog, but it needed to be the right time. We asked our breeder to try to help find a dog compatible with our current dog. She contacted us before Christmas last year and told us that she was planning a breeding late spring/early summer and were we interested. The pup would be a 1/2 sibling to our dog. We took a spot on her list for a pup. He came home two weeks ago. So we waited over a year. It allowed us to have time to mourn our old dog, but also have some joy and anticipation for bringing home this new little guy. Our dog also had some time to adjust to losing her companion and being the top dog for a year. So, even in one family, we had two different ways to mourn.

Take time to mourn your beloved collie mix, but know that your heart is large enough to love again.

Added: I used this quote for my dog's memorial cards. I think it is appropriate to share with you:
"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." ~Unknown

 

[SandrA9810]

Although I don't ever want to replace Kiani, I'm missing that companionship of a dog. And I always knew that I wanted more than one dog, I just wish Kiani was around to be part of a bigger doggie family.

I had to put her to sleep in mid December. It took me about 4-5 months to want a new dog.

 

[Robindianne]

Thank you for all the wonderful replies. I know that I am in good company and I appreciate all your thoughts. It warms me hearing your stories. I also especially love the heart poem. I'm going to put that on my wall.
Thank you all.
Robin

 

[MM27]

I had a dog that had to be put down when I was about 19. I was working retail and I had called out that day because I was so upset. That weekend I had off and my sister and I had gone to the North Shore Animal League in NY and adopted a new puppy. I was so excited that I shared the news with my coworkers when I went back to work. My manager said, "Wow, didn't take you long at all to replace the dead dog, did it?" I wanted to punch the idiot.

By no means was I trying to replace my dog. I just love dogs and the house felt so empty without one. We figured a new pup would help ease the pain a bit and it did.

You do it when you are ready. Nobody can make that decision for you.

 

[Rora]

I guess I handle the death of a furbaby differently then most.

When my cat of 17 years died, I was at the pound the very next day and adopted two baby kitties.

I truly was mourning the loss of my 17yo cat, but I just needed to fill the void. I think the two new kitties helped heal the sadness, although I still miss my first cat very much!

Best of luck to you OP.