I just lost my German Shorthair to cancer - how long should I wait to think about getting another dog?

Question

My 9 year old GSP went suddenly blind last week. After 4 visits to 3 different vets we discovered a tumor in her brain that is causing blindness, shaking and bladder problems. We put her down but I wanted to know how long should I wait to seek another dog. I have a 5 and 3 yo who loved the dog very much but my 5 yo asked if we could get a new dog. I need some advice on this one.

Answer 1

I'm SO sorry : (

It's really a matter of how you feel...With kids, it's even harder...

If you feel the time is right for you now, then get one - If you feel like you have to get over your loss, then wait a while.

Answer 2

Unintentionally, I ended up getting a new pet within a few weeks of losing cherished pets... there is no rule to go by, some people feel that getting a new pet helps kids get over the loss easier. Personally, I thought I would never get another cat after my best kitty died suddenly, and it ended up that a week later a stray was at my door that looked almost exactly like him... then, when he passed away, I said again, no more cats - but within 2 weeks, a stray dog and I met, and I fell in love with him. I feel like the more pets the happier the family - and once you take a stroll down the long, long aisles of unwanted cats and dogs at your local shelter, your heart will melt and you will feel like you have found another companion. Please don't buy purebred pets that are only bred for the owner's pocketbook -- there are SO many unwanted and unloved pets waiting to be adopted at your local shelters, and they make wonderful companions. Just because a dog or cat is scraggly looking or scared in it's cage doesn't mean that is how it will be once it's home with you and feels safe and protected. All my many pets are from shelters or were strays, and they are all very well behaved and loving.

Answer 3

I am so sorry! The loss of a family pet is terrible. I worked in a clinic for many years and I find that it is completely up to the owner to decide when they are ready for a new dog. There is no real time limit it's about how your family feels baout getting a new dog right away. Some feel that a new dog right away will help them cope with the loss of one, others feel that they do not want a dog for many years. Discuss with your whole family and decide what would be best for you. I know that you may feel guilty about getting a dog right away, but you can think of it as a new addition to your family and not a replacement for the one you just lost. I think thats why people have a hard time getting a new dog so soon. So ultimately its completely up to you and your family. Once again I ma sorry for your loss.

Answer 4

First of all..I'm very sorry for your loss. People that don't have animals don't understand how much they become apart of your life and I'm sure your kids are very confused right now. There is no time limit on when you should get another dog..and I know that when we've lost animals in the past you feel guilty when you go to look for another one. It sounds like you took really good care of your dog and I'm sure you would give another dog that might not have a home, a really good home. Just go at your own pace, and don't rush it, when you feel that your family is ready, you'll know. Good luck!

Answer 5

only YOU can answer that question. I would say when it feels right. There is no time table for morning over the loss of a loved one, be it human or animal. I am sorry to hear of you loss but please take comfort of knowing (believe me I know it's hard to believe) that your beloved pet is in a better place and he is not suffering any more. Tell your little ones that you (as their parent) needs some time still and that it's even though it's easy to go and get another dog it is not as easy to find one that will be a perfect fit for your family like your last pet was. I know that you yourself aren't quite ready for another dog because you are still hurting because of the loss. Good luck.

Answer 6

It is very difficult to loose a loved pet. Getting another one quite quickly can be a good idea. Do not do it as a substitute but as a dog in its own right. It will never replace the one you lost but it will certainly take the hurt away especially as you will be so busy with the training etc. There will be no time for mourning only the sense of fun and enjoyment especially for the children.

Answer 7

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you feel better though knowing she is not uncomfortable any longer. I lost my 3 1/2 yr old Doberman in June of 2005. It's just me and my husband and he wanted another dog right away. I needed time to grieve though. We ended up getting 2 Dobies six months later. I think everyone's experience is different, obviously your kids will be ready right away. Wait until you are ready.

Answer 8

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. It's so hard, when you lose something, you love so much, and who loved you and was devoted to you. If you feel in your heart, like your ready for a new companion,whether it's now or later, I would go ahead and get one. You wouldn't be replacing your other dog, you would just be adding another friend, to love.

Answer 9

You're the only person who can answer this one. Losing your dog was a terrible experience but the reaction is a very individual thing. You can't get a new dog only for your kids - you need to be ready for a new dog since you're the primary care giver. I can only say that for me it helps to have another dog - someone new to care for to take your mind off it a bit until the memories aren't as painful. But you're the only one who can know how you feel.

Answer 10

When we lost our beloved Belgian shepard that we had for 9 years it was so hard to get a new dog....We looked for several dogs and well when we found Hercules our toy chihuahua it was love at first sight! But only your heart will know that for sure....Its hard when a family member such as a pet dies....But really its a good lesson for your little ones to learn about life....and beginnings and endings....it makes the transisition to another pet easier when they understand....

Answer 11

that is by no ability somewhat been an concern for me to be and not using a canines, considering I have continuously had diverse canines. It somewhat DOES help to produce different canines who matter upon you to get you by ability of those demanding patches after dropping one. i imagine it makes it a lot less complicated to produce different pets round. After dropping my Pekingese, I swore that i'd not get yet another canines, 2 became adequate, and that i might want to provide up there. one 3 hundred and sixty 5 days later, a chum of the relations had rescued a 7 month previous Toy Poodle, and begged me to grant her a house. I further her living house (without telling my husband, because he had wanted a German Wirehaired Pointer for see you later, and that i positioned my foot down at 2 canines!). about a three hundred and sixty 5 days in the past, I had to go back and forth to my mothers and fathers' living house to take my 15+ 3 hundred and sixty 5 days previous relations puppy (who lived with mom & Dad) for his very last vacation to the vet, and the loss became in basic terms so large for all individuals. mom and dad had a clean canines interior a month, and that i further yet another one living house, besides. that is a matter of what you want, and also you actually want to judge the youngsters...it would want to help them to have yet another canines interior the living house right now...they in many cases gained't bypass over the former canines somewhat as a lot, and it would want to help them by ability of the discomfort. i sense that when a puppy passes, that is my accountability to "replace" my particular canines with yet another rescued canines...it makes me sense good to make room in my living house for a canines which could no longer in the different case have a probability, and that i evaluate that to be an staggering tribute to the only which has surpassed on.