is ready for a new puppy. I only have one child and that is all I will have. Sadie was my Sadie girl and she died a month ago today. However, my 9 year old son is wanting another dog. I'm not ready, it really broke my heart when Sadie died. How do I deal with getting another dog without thinking of her all the time. I do want to get him a dog for Christmas, but I'm not sure how I can handle it.
2006-11-21 17:43:14 · 17 answers · asked by aloneathome 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I think that choosing a dog from http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi
Would be a wonderful celebration of life, and a memorial to your Sadie..she would be so pleased that you saved a life in her name..
when you adopt from the foster home/shelters on petfinder, even though the dogs aren't headed for their last days, you allow the rescues to save one more dog from a high-kill shelter.,, and at the same time, you can choose a well behaved, perfect companion for your son..
I would think that Sadie would be happy..and yes, she is near..
2006-11-21 17:54:38 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will never be easy. As you know you are not getting a dog to replace her, just to help the hurt go away. The new friend you get will just give you something furry to love again. You will soon have less pain and start to focus on all the great memories you and Sadie shared. Four years after my Lady died at five from a brain tumor I sobbed while watching a Ridgeback run down the beach. The pain from your loss I believe will never completely go away, but it will get easier over time, I promise. Best of luck to you and getting a new furry best friend. Have fun with it and give your new buddy a fantastic life with all that love you have to give. Hope I helped some.
2006-11-21 17:54:06 · answer #2 · answered by J~ME 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only way to plug the hole in your heart is to get another dog. Only love can replace lost love. You are not replacing Sadie, you are honoring her memory by giving another dog a home. Sadie would have wanted you to get your son a dog. So just do it.
2006-11-21 19:50:21 · answer #3 · answered by weezyljm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest getting a dog that is different than Sadie. Maybe a new dog is exactly what you need to fill the gap left by Sadie's passing. Boxers are great with kids and great protectors. I wouldn't get a dog that reminded me of her though. Then you would be disappointed if she didn't act just like her, too. :-(
I'm really sorry for your loss and I hope time lessens the pain.
2006-11-21 18:01:08 · answer #4 · answered by zeropulse047 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't get another dog until YOU are ready. You are still grieving Sadie. Another dog at this time, with the thoughts you express here, will be resented. You will see Sadie in that dog's place and your heart will crack a tiny bit more each time, until you won't want anything to do with the new dog.
Which won't be fair to this helpless animal.
At 9 years of age, I don't think that your son is ready to take complete responsibility for a dog. To make sure the dog is fed, exercised, cleaned up after, trained, groomed, etc. Most of this will fall on you.
Until YOU are ready, don't get another dog.
You might start to help your grieving process along by doing something special in memory of Sadie. Donate time or money to an animal orginization in her name. Something along those lines.
Spend time with your son researching another dog. Look into different breeds, deciding upon traits that appeal to you, traits that will blend into your home situation. dogbreedinfo.com is a good place to start such a search...expand from there.
Go to petfinder.com and look at some of the available dogs in the breeds you end up thinking would fit into your home.
After such research, spending a few weeks/months in educating yourself and your son, you might be ready to welcome another dog into your home.
As for getting a dog for Christmas...as a breeder, I don't let people take pups home right before Christmas. The season is simply too busy for people to spend quality time with a newcomer to their family. And in my experience, too many people get a pup for a Christmas present that isn't really wanted. NOT that I am saying this is your case, just my experience with some others. But if someone tells you they won't let you take a pup home before the holidays, they, IMO, are a responsible breeder!
My condolences on your loss of Sadie. I know how much this hurts, how long it takes for the pain to start to fade. For the sake of your new dog, wait until you can welcome it with open arms instead of resentment.
2006-11-21 18:17:39 · answer #5 · answered by Lori R 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss.
Somehow the animals we bring into our lives know what we are going through. Your new puppy will bring you all kinds of happiness. Your son must need to have this little friend to hold onto and talk to while he is going through his own mourning process. Sadie knows you love her and that love will never go away. She left knowing you love animals and would be getting another dog along the way. You will deal, somehow it just happens.
I lost my 30 year old Arabian Stallion 10/30/06 and have mourned very deeply for him thinking I wouldn't survive another day with the pain from the loss. A couple days ago I went out to check on our other 31 year old Arabian Stallion and somehow his whole demeanor changed. He knew what I needed and has been here for me to hold on to, cry and share about how much I miss my boy. He knows, he cares and he's helping me get through it.
So will your puppy.
Take care
2006-11-21 17:55:43 · answer #6 · answered by karaborr 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
im so sorry to hear about sadie, but if i was you i would get another dog asap, you will not be replacing sadie but giving a dog a loving home with just as much love as you had for sadie, im sure sadie would not want to see you all upset so go for it and love this dog as much as you did sadie, hope it goes well xxx
2006-11-21 21:47:55 · answer #7 · answered by rottymadxx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Getting him another dog for Christmas will help him get over, Sadie.
Having another puppy to take care of will help you get over Sadie as well.
2006-11-21 17:59:58 · answer #8 · answered by JUAN FRAN$$$ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a theory. When a beloved pet is lost he/she keeps their eyes peeled for others to love and comfort their beloved humans. I think that dogs are the most unselfish animals on earth... can you imagine how kind they are in Heaven? Keep an open mind and a open heart. Your son should get his chance to have his own Sadie, but you deserve to move at your own pace. Read Rainbow Bridge, it is sad but beautiful. Good luck and blessings.
2006-11-21 18:01:00 · answer #9 · answered by sparklepup 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You well be OK because of your love for your son. Go ahead and get him a dog and you will love this dog as much as you did Sadie
2006-11-21 17:47:38 · answer #10 · answered by david o 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋