While Stewart was ill the breeder we had got him from was very much involved. She called the vet and tried to be supportive. When we told her that the puppy had to be put down she was devestated. She is now breeding Stewart's dad with a different mom. The thought of having Stewart's brother is actually very comforting. Only problem is the puppies won't be ready to come home until december.

I feel a hole in the house and had really wanted to get a new puppy right away and am now rethinking waiting until dec.My husband wants to wait because he says we need time to grieve but I think grieving would be easier with a new furbaby. My kids seem ok with waiting until Dec. so I think I am outnumbered. I was thinking of goin to the pound and adopting a dog before we get the new puppy.

First what are your thoughts on 2 dogs in one house within that short of time. The only pet we have right now is a hamster. At this point i am definatlly wanting 2 dogs in my life but I'm not sure if that is too close of a timespan.

I am no doubt getting Stewart's brother ( by the way it was not genetic what he had ) but I have little experience with 1 dog and have no idea about 2.

Any thoughts on this subject would be greatly appreciated

Thank you, Melanie

On first impression I would have to advise you to go and get the dog. Of course, as you said, you are not the only one with a say in this, but I think that filling that hole is very important. A lot of people, I think, would tell you to wait, have time to grieve about the puppy Stewart. But I think that getting a dog, would not mean stopping the grieving for him, but just filling an emptiness. Of course, as anyone would tell you, the dog will never actully replace the puppy, as all pets are special in their own personal way, but I get the feeling he'll be a big comfort to you, and you to him. (especially if he's from a pound that is (!)
About the short timespan, from the devastating loss I just experienced a few days ago, my first instinct would be to say that all of life is too short. Must make the very most of it all. 2 pets; dogs, cats, birds, etc., in my opinion is a good thing. I've always had 2 of all my pets since I was a kid, and everytime, a wonderful bond was born. And just practically, they won't be as lonely when their humans are away.
These are my thoughts. Oh God, starting to feel really bad again. I'm just thinking about how it must feel for my Buffy, to lose her only companion and brother of five years.

I sincerely hope it all works out for you.

-a

Thank you so much for your much needed advice. I'm so sorry that it made you sad, but i can understand why. Pet must get attatced to each other just as much as we do. But I think having another to morn with is good. Though both you and your surviving furbaby must miss him at least you have each other to comfort.

Melanie

Hi Melanie,
I think you should try to explain your position to the rest of your family, and then maybe they won't make you wait until December. Having other babies around can definitely help to fill the empty space that your loss has left you with, and no matter how long you spend grieving, Stewart will never be replaced.
I have 2 dogs myself, 1 was adopted when she was a puppy, and her mother came to us 7 months later, and they love being together! I think having multiple babies is truly a wonder to be a part of. ( If you don't already know, up until last May, I had 4 cats, 2 dogs, and a mouse. Not to mention the numerous wild animals in the backyard that I care for.) Unfortunately, I lost my one baby Creep last May 22, and my hand-raised deer mouse in November ( but after 2 weeks, my boyfriend convinced me to go to the shelter, where I adopted 2 female fancy mice [1 was pregnant when I brought her home, and she had 14 babies of which 12 survived] Of course, I kept them all. Then I lost my Grandma in February, Cosmo on May 24, and one of my mouse babies, Rip on July 17. So much loss! Now one of my other cats seems to be fading and we can't seem to pinpoint the problem and nothing is helping .
My point is, no matter how tough things are for me right now, I wouldn't trade any of it ( unless it meant I could have them all back) and I think having other babies to share your life with can be very helpful. They can make you laugh, even if you want to cry, and of course, having more than one is a never ending delight! My babies have always gotten along as if they were born together, and we got them all at different times. The dogs lay with the cats, and they watch the many mice we have, but never try to attack. I believe that the love I give them, teaches them to love each other.
I hope you can convince your husband and children to let you bring home a new baby now, and of course the new pup in December too. I think they will find it more helpful than they expected once they fall in love with them, and you will find some peace and beauty in the tragedy of losing your baby.
I hope this helps, and please let me know what you decide to do, I am very interested to hear about any new experiences with new babies that you may have.
Take care,
Love,
Michelle

Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. They really give me something to think about and talk over with my family. One thing your post has made me realize is that I will have more than one furbaby. How much you love your animals makes me realize how special it is to love each and every one and how lucky it is for us to have the chance to. Again, Michelle thank you and I will keep you posted.

love Melanie

Hi Melanie,

Noone can really tell you what you should do ... your heart is telling you already. Try and explain to your family why you feel the way you do and that a new pup is not meant to replace a lost one but rather to fill the emptiness.

As for getting two dogs so soon ... well I got my two a week after my boy left for the bridge. I had never had two dogs before and I don't regret a bit my decision to get my current two. What I discovered is that they did fill up the emptiness in the house but they did not even for one second come close to replacing my ******. They provided me with with something to hold when the tears started. They also gave me many reasons to smile ...

I love having two dogs and would recommend it to anyone. I never realized all that I was missing by just having one ... I would never have just one again.

I'm sorry for you loss.

Wishing you the best and Rosie & Basil send puppy hugs,
Beth