When to start looking for another dog?

[Emoore]

How did you know, when your beloved dog had passed, that it was the right time to start looking for another?

Since Cash passed 3 weeks ago, I have been sad and depressed every day. I know a lot of it is grief, but Cash made me smile and laugh a hundred times a day, and so much of each day was taken up in playing with him, exercising, training, etc. I find myself at loose ends, not knowing what to do with myself and my time, missing his sweet funny presence. Not to mention that a big part of the reason we adopted him 3 years ago was because I knew I'd need something to keep me going when Rocky eventually passed. Now that Rocky is 8 that eventuality is even closer.

How do I know when I'm ready?

[Stevenzachsmom]

I am so sorry for your loss. Nothing heals a broken heart, better than a wet nose. Only you will know when you are ready. No dog replaces another, but given a chance, a new dog will help fill that void and you will learn to love him for what is special about him. If you are unsure you are ready, would you consider fostering for a rescue or shelter? You would be helping to save a life and may even find that you are ready to open your heart to a new love.

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by Stevenzachsmom

If you are unsure you are ready, would you consider fostering for a rescue or shelter? You would be helping to save a life and may even find that you are ready to open your heart to a new love.

Thanks for your words. I've been a foster with Austin GSD Rescue for 5 years. Cash was a failed foster. When I do get another dog it will be a rescue. After Cash's passing, though, I found myself becoming irrationally angry at my foster dog for the smallest things. The real reason I was angry, of course, was because he was alive and my boy was dead.

[Stosh]

It's so different for all of us- the only thing I can say is that if you feel there's room in your heart for another then it's the right time. You've been through such a traumatic loss and naturally feel the loss in a different way than a more natural passing where you have time to reconcile your feelings. I don't mean in any way to disrespect Cash and his place in your family, but I have a feeling that a pup would help heal your heart. I know it did for me when I lost Omy. I still miss her desperately but the process of looking for a pup and bringing her home brought a kind of joy and hope that only a new dog in your life can bring. I was able to honor her by giving the love I had for her to another.

[chevysmom]

I am so very sorry for your loss. I think you'll just know. It's different for everyone, too. My mom lost her (14yr old) dog last year and she still isn't ready for another one yet. When my Chow passed away, I wanted another dog right away. I never felt as if I was replacing him or anything, but I just love the companionship that dogs bring. I fostered and then when we found her a home, we started looking for a GSD.

[armymp1014]

when bandit got dognapped it was really hard but i decided i was going to wait till i had a house of my own. it was hard to wait but i knew it would be best for the dog and i. i am sorry for your loss. i think you will know in your heart when it is time

[Zoeys mom]

If your finding yourself peeved with the untrained behavior of another dog it may be too soon. You don't want to unintentionally project your expectations of Cash on a new dog expecting them to be who he was. I've lost a beloved friend and know what it's like when what you want isn't there in another dog. I knew it was time when it was okay to have a dog that wouldn't be anything like my dobe Zeus. I just was ready for a new life with a new friend and content on him being whoever he was going to be. 8 years later my lab is my best friend and partner in crime. He's nothing like Zeus and thats okay because I love who he is

[W.Oliver]

Originally Posted by Emoore

How did you know, when your beloved dog had passed, that it was the right time to start looking for another?

Emoore,

The first time I ever posted on this board was when I discovered my GSD was dieing. She was my "Dog of a Lifetime". I was selfish, and brought home my current GSD before she passed. I had always wanted two, and couldn't bare the thought of being alone in the sense of my canine companion. My dog of a lifetime passed only four months after I brought my current GSD home. She went at home, with us, in the kitchen, with family life all around her, with no pain, and not alone.

I think you'll know when you're ready. Whenever that is.....I bet a puppy search/rescue will get you jazzed! A puppy bounce in your step!

I still slip and call my current GSD by my dog of a lifetime's name every once in a while, and it makes me sad...I compare them....I love them both, as I am sure I will love the puppy I am waiting for...did I mention I've always wanted two?? If we're responsible owner's, and live well....I believe someday, we'll have a pack waiting to be reunited with us.

Go look for a puppy.

Wayne

[BowWowMeow]

I understand what you're going through. I adopted Kai because Chama was older (11) and I knew I couldn't handle losing her and not having another dog. Basu had died (suddenly, from hemangiosarcoma) about 2 months earlier. When Kai died suddenly (at age one) I was completely devastated and just about fell apart.

Feeling the way you do now, about 3 weeks later I pulled a dog from a high kill shelter and fostered him for 2 months until I found him a good home. It was an impulse thing because I needed to do something with all that nervous energy and pain. He got along great with Chama but was not good with Cleo. I had to keep them separated 24/7 and go back and forth between them and that was extremely stressful for the whole household. I am very glad that I saved Peri's life but I definitely wasn't ready to adopt one of my own yet, especially one that would take a lot of work to integrate into the household.

After that I looked very carefully for another dog that would be the perfect fit for my pack. It took a couple of months but I finally found Rafi. I chose a young adult instead of a puppy because I thought that would be a better fit for me and for Cleo and Chama. Although neither Basu nor Kai could ever be replaced, Rafi brought so much joy back into my life...and he has proved to be a perfect fit for my pack.

So the moral of my story is that you might want to tough out the hard times right now, let yourself feel the grief and work through it, and then it may be easier to make space in your home and in your heart for a new dog in your family.

I hope that made sense....

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by W.Oliver

Go look for a puppy.

Oh, it won't be a puppy. It'll be some mangy, half-starved stray with heartworms and God-knows-what-else that I pick up at the shelter hours before he's supposed to be put down because no sane person wants to deal with him. Then I'll spend more on getting him healthy that I would have spent on a really well-bred puppy from a breeder. Those are the ones I seem to end up with. And I wouldn't have it any other way.