On wednesday I had to put down my beloved choc. lab of 7 years. She was my baby. She was very sick. We have a 12YO lab and a 2yo daughter and we are expecting another baby in April.

I so desperately want to go and get an older dog from a shelter. But I am not sure if this is fair to my beloved Brindy and a new pet. We love pets and offer a good home. And I know with my recent loss I could definately provide love.

Am I crazy? My family says I should because I will have my hand full in a few months. But I think it may help me cope with the loss of my dear Brindy.

PLease offer some advice.

Shelby

Only you can know in your heart,
i would wait till the New Year at least there is too much excitement to introduce a new dog too.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your day

Love Sue

Dear Shelby,

I'm so sorry about Brindy's passing.

Only you know if you're ready for a new dog. If you're ready, I'm sure Brindy would want you to have another dog. The only thing that I would caution you about is not to adopt a new dog if you're looking for a Brindy replacement. It wouldn't be fair to you or the new dog. For myself, I decided to wait at least a year before looking for a new dog...I need time to grieve and heal. Plus, I knew if I went out and got a new dog immediately after Shiloh's passing I'd constantly be comparing the new dog to Shiloh.

Look deep in your heart...you'll know if you're ready for a new dog or not. If you're ready, then by all means go and find a new companion...Brindy would want you to do that. It sounds like you offer a wonderful home, and there are so many homeless dogs that need a good loving home.

Best of luck with your decision.
Kathleen

a bit too soon for most people, but everyone is different. i would agree with sue, this time of year is stressful
enough without add a new family member. give yourself some time, then decide if you want to head to the shelter

It sounds to me like you may be trying to avoid the pain by replacing your boy, you should give yourself sometime, like Sue said , at least until the first of the year. I personally could not concider getting another dog right now, I could not love him like I do Moose, as soon as this piece that is missing from my heart heals over I will be able to break another piece off for another needy furbaby. Give yourself time to grieve before you make any decisions. Pamela

Hi,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I had to have my beloved dog put down on Thursday. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure getting another dog immediately is the best solution. Especially since you used the word "desperate" to get another dog. I know the pain must feel unbearable at times, but another dog would distract you from it. And from what I've learned from a lot of losses in my life, being distracted in some ways makes the pain last longer. Because grief for your beloved Brindy will still be there, waiting to be felt and will rush in when you don't expect it. If you let yourself feel the loss, cry as much as you need to, pray, do whatever you have to do, you will move through your grief much quicker. And then, in a few months, if you still want another dog, go for it! It just seems like it makes more sense to wait to make such a huge decision when it's not so clouded with grief and who knows what. From a mom who once had three kids under three and 7 animals,
Mimi

Hi Shelby, I am sorry for the loss of your baby Brindy. I guess I am going to be the oddball here because I think if you know for sure you have the love in your heart to give to a new dog and you would not be comparing the new dog to Brindy then go for it. Make sure that the new dog would not be to replace Brindy but to love he/she for their own personality.

My sister lost her dog (who was her only baby, she had no children) and she went and got another baby within a week. She said she learned to love really love her new little puppy in no time. So everyone is different as to how soon is good for them. As for me I wanted to wait until at least 6 months after Snookie was gone but my sister went and bought me a puppy and now I love that little girl so much too.

Just make sure with a new baby coming you have time to house break a new dog and care for a toddler and your new baby that is coming soon. I do agree with everyone that this could be a hectic time but you know if you are really ready or not.
Ann

I'm going to agree with the majority and recommend waiting to get a new furbaby. You have your hands full with a new baby on the way. When I told my little sister about Sonnie yesterday, she told me about the vet in her town with a puppy. I was so upset that she even suggested it to me so soon that I was probably more abrupt with her than I should have been. My only defense is that she should know me better after all these years. It's too soon to even consider, especially with our other critters.

Make sure it's right before you take on a new companion. They're with us forever, even when they're not physically here. Give yourself a chance to grief for your loss. I know we're waiting, and it may not happen until Bear's gone. I'm not sure I can put him through this again, let alone my husband and myself.

Dear Shelby


Remember there is always tomorrow.

You have many tomorrows to make the right decision as to whether it is the right time for you to bring a new furbaby into your life.

Once done it is difficult to undo. The option will always be there open and waiting for you in the future, should you decided you would like to.

It is only so few days since you lost your beloved Brindy that maybe you could give yourself a little time to be sure that it is what you really want to do. Even a week ... maybe see how you feel in a week's time. You may feel just the same or you may feel completely differently.


With love
jilly

When I lost my abyssinian cat Tommy I was very devestated. He was only 5 years old and had a really hard beginning to his life until I brought him into my home. Tommy died from the anesthetic he was given for a teeth cleaning. I lost him last march. I was in bad shape. I contacted abyssinian breeders and didnt really think I would get much of a response. One day I got a email from a breeder and we talked and discussed options on getting another abby cat. In may I met her at a cat show about 300 miles from my home and 600 miles from hers. I brought home a little abyssinian who I fell in love with when I first picked him up. I named him Dion and introduced him to my 5 other cats. Anyone here who is a cat owner knows that it isn't that easy to introduce a cat into a home with established cats. Dion came into my home without a hitch. They love him! I truly believe that there was spiritual assistance. I know that my Tommy would want me to love another furbaby as I loved him...

I would give it at least a week personally. Let yourself feel your loss. Getting another won't stop the tears -- by no means, but they can still be a comfort. However if the time isn't right, you may find yourself feeling some resentment and it is hard not to compare. My major concern for you is that you only have a short time before you will have your baby, and it seems like you might already have your hands full. This is a time I imagine you are feeling quite overwhelmed already. Be patient with yourself and try not to be afraid to feel. I know that's much easier said than done. It's frightening, so lonely, so confusing right now. Unbearable, it seems. Take care of yourself.
Love,
Marcia