After losing a dog, how best to recover?

Question

We just tragically lost our dog last week. She was our first dog and our whole family is devastated by her loss. The only thing that has helped fill the emptiness in our hearts and home is the thought of getting a puppy. We are being given all kinds of advice - all of it different - of course. We loved her breeed so much, we want the same breed. However, we also thought that because she was female , we should get a male -of a different colour -so that there is no chance fo comparison. Would love to hear how others have coped - how soon you got another dog, and if it was important for it to be different?

Answer 1

I have lost many dogs. Everything that lives dies, unfortunately. Don't be afraid to get another dog. Each dog is unique, just like a human being, and therefore, not replaceable on a sentimental scale. You will always love your dog, but you are just going thru some normal grieving now which is healthy yet painful. Allow yourself to go thru this period, start a journal about how much, and why you loved your dog so much. Place all the pictures of your dog in the journal. Dedicate it to your deceased. Write some poems, thoughts, memories, wishes for the future, some favorites times shared, and perhaps if affordable a donation to the local Humane Society in her memory. The hurt eventually lessens with time. What breed you choose, what time frame you decide on to get another dog is highly individual. If you live in my state, maybe a puppy isn't a great idea with our cold winter coming but it depends on your motivation in sharing in its care. Remember Dog spelled backwards is God, it reminds one of the unconditional love that they are always ready to give. My Best!

Answer 2

I lost a beloved pet this past year, too. It hurts and I sympathize with you.

Different people think differently on this subject. For me, I could never have faced the prospect of getting another rottweiler because I know that no other rott would be able to fill the void my precious pet filled. I am sure I would be comparing it to what I had rather than focusing on training a new puppy that would, one day, look just like the perfect dog I lost. It wouldn't be fair to either of us.

I am a firm believer in adopting from the pound. Petsmart occasionally holds adoption days with a few dogs from the pound - try this approach. If you can take everyone to the pound, all the better. Pick one that DOES KILL dogs that can't find a suitable home after a certain period of time. You won't feel as compelled to adopt if you knows the "homeless" dogs in a no-kill shelter will be provided for for the rest of their lives. Go for the sympathy factor. You are not replacing the beloved family pet, you are saving another dog from an early demise. It helps.

Good luck.

Answer 3

when i lossed my dog the hardest thing was realizing there wasn't a dog in the house, no one to greet you as soon as i walked in the door. Immediately i wanted another dog. My suggestion is to wait a while to get another dog. You have to recover from the loss of your other dog before you are taking care of a puppy again. I wouldnt get the same breed because than its almost like a replacment. I would try a new breed because you might find that you are comparing the old dog to the new dog. I would wait a while before buying a new dog take some time to think about it. I waited a year, it was hard not having a dog around though. So if i were you wait at least 3 months.

Answer 4

You will know when you are ready to get another dog. Other than time, there is nothing that will help you deal with her loss. If you have children sit them down and look at pictures of her and remember her. Talk about her. Tell stories about her. She will always hold a special part in your heart but the pain will lessen with time.

Don't pass up a dog because it is the same color or sex as the other one. When picking out a new dog pick it out as to how it reacts to you and your family.

You will find some things that will be better with a new dog, some things that are worse, as well as some that will be similar and just might make you cry. It's all normal.

I know. I've lost 3 dogs, 5 cats, 1 horse (my best friend) and 7 rats. Most of my pets died of old age but a few were due to illness. And I know that they will all be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for me when I die.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I am very sorry your dog died. It can be a very hard thing to go through.

We had a doberman that died and replaced him with another one. If you want the same breed get another of the same type, but yes, the comparison is there, which happened a bit with the second dog. But he soon came into his own, had his own personality and so on and took over the house in his own way.

It might be a good idea, though, to get a dog that is similar, but not too similar. After losing another dog, I bought a guinea pig which was completely different, but still cheered me up a lot.

Answer 6

I have always had a hard time getting a new dog right after loosing one, but a lot of people say to, that it helps. It took three years after I lost my last dog, I do not if it was because he had a tragic death, but I just was not ready. When I was a kid I lost my first dog to illness, I was devasted and my mom went out and got me an exact replica, it was a diaster. I gave the dog away in less than a month. If you are going to get a new dog get a different one.

Answer 7

First let me say that I'm sorry for you loss. It's never easy to lose a pet because are part of your family. I have lost four dogs during my adult life, and I still miss each and every one of them.

I can't tell you an easy way to recover. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers and no easy way.

Some people choose to get new pup right away and there's nothing wrong with with that, because you aren't getting the new pup as replacement, but to help heal the emptiness in your heart. and fill your life with and heart with love again. Some people choose to wait. I

In the end, the choice is yours and yours alone. The only thing I can tell is to follow your heart.

Good luck to you and your family.

Answer 8

I feel your pain. Losing a dog is like losing a member of the family, it is very hard to get over. My dog died a year ago, it was the first in the family, we still have not gotten one, although we are looking. There is a wonderful book out there called, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul. I strongly recommend buying it and reading it. There are all sorts of chapters in there that pertain to certain events, losing a pet, pets as healers, comical stories, and stories of inspiration. They are all true stories that can really help you out in this time of despair. It would really help if you have children who also lost there friend. The stories will make you laugh and some cry, but when its all said and done, you will feel 100% better. LOL

Answer 9

I'm so sorry for your lose. Been there done that.
I had a Cocker Spaniel dog we lost to cancer. Trying to replace him was-out of mind! No matter the color/sex, it was not him. I changed breeds. BUT--- shopped around the Show circuit learning as much on the breed I most wanted. It took me almost 6 months b/f we bought again.
I bought a female this time. Although she could never replace him, she has brought joy to our hearts in her own little way. Research a new breed & then deside. Good luck!

Answer 10

My suggestion would be to get another dog, a puppy would be best. Dont kid yourself... you liked that breed, so dont shy away from it, stick with that breed.

A male or female dog wouldnt matter, but I would try to find one with differnet markings or fur color, so that there can be no comparision.

I would most definately, not name it anything similar, because that also can bring back memories of the dog who is now resting...

As we know... all dogs go to heaven.

hang in there