Could you some guidance - pet death mentioned

[Kath32769]

Hi everyone.

We just lost our 2nd dog in less than a year. We lost our mutt to cancer 4/1/08 and just 2 weeks ago on 1/14/09, we lost our Golden. We raised our dogs from puppyhood. Neither were old, Casey themutt was 9-1/2 and Lulu our Golden was 8-1/2. They both had cancer. It's been devastating to say the least, anyway....

I'm curious to know after you've lost a pet, did you get another? How long after the loss of your pet did you get the new pet? Did it feel weird to you having this new pet in the house?

I'm not sure what to do. I've had dogs my whole life. I don't know if I can be without a dog but then I think I don't know if I can go through this again. My dogs died so close together, it's been really hard on us.

I appreciate it!

[MiMi_of_4]

I'm so sorry about the loss of your dogs. After our dog died (he had cancer and we had to have him put to sleep), we waited about a year before getting another one for our son. It was just too painful before that to even think about replacing Bud.

[JudyJudyJudy]

I'm so sorry about the loss of your dogs. :( You have to decide if you're ready. We had a lot of dogs and cats, so when we've lost ours, we didn't "need" to get another since we had so many others who needed us. Your situation sounds different.

[tata]

I'm sorry for your loss.

I can't advise you on what to do - you should be the one to decide. I can only tell you that after the passing of my last dog, I knew I couldn't do it again. Maybe one day I will change my mind, as sharing my home and life with a dog has been mostly rewarding. But the pain of loss is still too much right now.

Best wishes.

[Monkeytoes]

I'm sorry for your loss, losing a pet is never easy. You can get another pet, it won't replace your passed pet but it will help fill the void. :hug:

[Justicedog]

I'm sorry for your loss. I think only you can decide what feels right for you. I've heard both ways. You'll never replace Lulu or Casey, but you can love and enjoy others. Perhaps fostering a dog would be helpful. Maybe going into it knowing that it's temporary wouldn't create the feeling of loss, but you'll still have a dog around. If it doesn't work out for you, then you don't have to foster again, if it works out, perhaps you could then adopt that foster.

[Nipple_nectar]

I am very sorry for your loss. I have recently lost alot of my pet friends, as well.

I have found that visiting the local shelter with just the idea that I was visiting and not pet shopping has taken me on a new journey and I find that I have experienced more healing than I anticipated.

I am actually ready for a new pet now and I have to thank all the furry faces that have openly embraced me at face value:) They reminded me that what we as humans, experience when exchanging with animals is very empowering!

[Kath32769]

I really appreciate your responses. I was having a hard time trying to voice what I was feeling and I think it was MiMi of 4 that hit it right on the head. The thought of replacing them is so painful. I still can't believe they're not here anymore. My Golden has only been gone for 2 weeks but my mutt has been gone for almost 10 months. I still cry almost daily. She was my first baby when I was struggling w/ infertility so she held a special place in my heart and always will.

I appreciate your input and most importantly, your thoughts for my pups!

[JudyJudyJudy]

Kath, I also wanted to say that it's good to see you again. I hate that these circumstances brought you out to post, but I truly am glad to see you.

[Earthmama]

So sorry for your losses. I lost a cat this year that I had had for 14 years. There's a reason we call them our "furbabies."

I hope you can be at peace with whatever decision you make. :hug:

[Kath32769]

Kath, I also wanted to say that it's good to see you again. I hate that these circumstances brought you out to post, but I truly am glad to see you.


Thank you so much for this! You made my night!

[suzabanana]

The timing is different for everyone. Take the time you need to grieve & maybe volunteer at a shelter for a while or foster a pet as PPs mentioned.
When you do get another dog, I just want to voice a concern about Goldens. I grew up with them & my mother continues to have them & the past 6 we/she has had have ALL died EARLY (6-8 years old) of cancer. It's becoming an epidemic amongst the breed & many other pure breeds, so I would urge you to consider as wide a gene pool as possible (Corgi-Great Dane-Husky-Poodle mix anyone?) to try to get a healthy companion. I know there is no sure bet, but the wider the net, the better the chance. Good Luck!