Getting a new dog after your last one has passed.

supersaver2

Good luck in your search for a new dog, so many poor dogs that need a new home through no fault of their own.

I can't imagine a house with no dogs, wouldn't know what to do with myself if I wasn't constantly hoovering dog hairs, wiping slobbery chops or picking up poo! I've always had 3 or 4 dogs so never been in the position of having no dog in the house.

Hope you find him/her soon.

CreditCrunchie

Aww I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my dog of 11 years last year. It is very hard, and just today I got all teary thinking of him actually. I don;t think it would be "replacing" your dog to get a new one. And giving a rescue dog a home is one of the most wonderful things you can do Like you say, I am sure the right dog will come along soon. Just be sure not to let your emotions of missing your old dog make you jump too soon at the first one that comes along. You need to be sure you are a good fit, for both yours and his/ her sake. A lot of shelters now advise you visit and get to know them over a few weeks before making a final decision x

homeworkgirl

I know exactly how you feel. I lost my beloved lab last week and my heart feels like it broke into a million pieces. I am so sorry for the loss of Womble. Harry was my only dog and despite the fact that I am grieving so hard for him, my heart is telling me to go and rescue another poor dog who needs a loving home. I feel absolutely lost at home without a dog, there seems to be no purpose to anything. He was my reason for getting up in the morning and gave me a reason to go out during the day. He travelled everywhere in the car with me when possible too. I know another dog could never take Harry's place in my heart but I also know that I have a lot of love to give another dog and I have been looking on the rescue sites etc. I think I worry about what other people will think if I go ahead and get another dog so soon, will they think I couldn't have loved my boy that much if I can get another so soon? They would be so so wrong as the pain I feel at losing him is like no other. I do hope you find another dog that will bring you and your family love and happiness.

Dollardog

The last will and testament of a dog

Before humans die, they write their last Will & Testament, give their home & all they have,
to those they leave behind. if, with my paws, I could do the same, this is what I'd ask...

To a poor lonely stray I'd give:

[*]My happy home.
[*]My bowl & cosy bed, soft pillows and all my toys.
[*]The lap, which I loved so much.
[*]The hand that stroked my fur & the sweet voice which spoke my name.


I'd Will to the sad, scared shelter dog, the place I had in my
human's loving heart, of which there seemed no bounds.

So, when I die, please do not say, "I will never have a
pet again, for the loss and pain is more then I can stand."

Instead, go find an unloved dog, one whose life has
held no joy or hope and give MY place to HIM/HER.

This is the only thing I can give..
The love I left behind.

meames_2

dollardog - that made me cry.

PlymouthMaid

Me too (message needs 10 characters apparently)

Artytarty

Yup, I'm all blurry eyed as well.

skogar

We don't have any dogs although I was brought up with dogs but we did have a cat. We had to have him put down at the beginning of February as he was very ill. We had had him 11 years and he was a stray that we had adopted.

The house seemed so empty without him that it was less than a week before I rang the cat rescue to arrage for us to go and see a cat they had on their website. She did have an "interesting" writeup and we thought that she would be harder to rehome than may although she had obviously made good progress in the 9 months the rescue had had her. Our cat before was not a straightforward cat when we got him either but became a very affectionate and much loved pet.

We went to see her and although she was clearly a bit apprehensive behaved as if she wanted to be friends. So we decided to take her home. I am amazed how well she has settled. She is a joy. We have had the occasional warning pat but I cannot believe how good she has been considering her history.

She will not replace our previous cat. All much loved animals have their own character and are therefore irreplaceable. However she is already a much loved pet in her own right and is certainly a character.

I had forgotten how time consuming it is to have a relatively young cat who loves to play.

I'm sure you will find a suitable dog when you are ready. Maybe he wasn't meant to be the one. (I don't think you met him from your post.) Somewhere there is your special dog waiting for a home.

Sorry for long post. Hope that helps.

bugslet

meames wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I think I got so upset because I went through a whole day dream about what we could do together. Even looked up the insurance cost!

I am sure the right dog will appear soon x

They always do!

Personally I like to have two dogs ( at least, I have 5), I think it's good for them to have doggy companionship and it really makes it a lot easier when one goes - it's the whole thing of the house not being quiet and there is still a routine in place. For me it's usually around about 3 months I think, it's time for another mutt now.

chiefpossession

homeworkgirl wrote: »

I know exactly how you feel. I lost my beloved lab last week and my heart feels like it broke into a million pieces. I am so sorry for the loss of Womble. Harry was my only dog and despite the fact that I am grieving so hard for him, my heart is telling me to go and rescue another poor dog who needs a loving home. I feel absolutely lost at home without a dog, there seems to be no purpose to anything. He was my reason for getting up in the morning and gave me a reason to go out during the day. He travelled everywhere in the car with me when possible too. I know another dog could never take Harry's place in my heart but I also know that I have a lot of love to give another dog and I have been looking on the rescue sites etc. I think I worry about what other people will think if I go ahead and get another dog so soon, will they think I couldn't have loved my boy that much if I can get another so soon? They would be so so wrong as the pain I feel at losing him is like no other. I do hope you find another dog that will bring you and your family love and happiness.

Who cares what other people think? When our Fidey was diagnosed with cancer we decided well before she died that we weren't going to have another dog. We lasted 5 days before we were at the Dog's Trust. We really weren't prepared for how devastated we would feel - my daughter didn't eat - just sat and cried. We didn't tell the children we were going to get another dog, but I saw Trixie and fell in love. Six months later we got a second dog (Brian). Our family still misses Fidey, but it was right for us - you need to do what is right for you. There are so many dogs out there who need our love.