my dog just died yesterday ='(?

Question

my 12 year old Siberian Husky died yesterday. she had a cancerous tumor and died in her sleep. we had planned on getting another dog long before we found out about her cancer. now we only have 1 dog and its so different especially since shes a chihuahua, ive always had big dogs. but now i cant help but feel completely guilty like ill be trying to replace her, or ill be wanting a new dog to live up to her expectations. is getting another dog wrong? should i wait? i dont know what to do! please help me...

Answer 1

Everytime I lose a dog, I say "No More"
But then some misfit will come my way end up
a part of my little family. You can never replace your dog nor would you try. A piece of your heart will always be with your Husky, but I believe you have room in your heart to make another dog happy.

Answer 2

I'm so sorry about your loss. I have a dog and I can't imagine how sad I'd be if he died. It's not wrong to get another dog, no dog will ever replace your old one unless your intentions are for your new dog to replace your old one. Although, I would suggest waiting a while until you get a new one. Do you want to get another Siberian Husky? Or do you want to try a different breed? Take your time to think about this, you might regret your choice if you rush in. Don't feel guilty, it's not your fault that your dog died, and her spirit will always be with you.

Answer 3

You can't replace old friends, you just make new ones. A new friend brings new experiences & a different outlook on life. Dogs are just the same. Don't feel that you are letting your Husky down by having another dog. You can't replace her because she was an individual & no two dogs or people are the same. You will have a new dog with different qualities, thats all. I don't think that you will feel this way once you have a new dog. You are still greiving. Maybe wait a few weeks before you start looking for a new friend.
You should be proud of yourself for giving your Husky such a loving home & being able to offer that love to a very lucky dog that comes your way.

Answer 4

Sorry to hear about your lose. I have heard it said many, many times that loosing a pet is harder on you than loosing a real family member.

I know it took me over 2 years to get over the death of a Doberman I had. I had put her through some intensive training and we worked together. A fully trained Police Dog. She was with me all the time. We knew exactly what the other was going to do under any given circumstance. I even believe that we had a psychic connection.

Sometimes it is good to get a dog right away and sometimes it is not such a good idea. If you get one now you will probably be trying to replace her/him. But the new dog has a whole different dognality and may make your grieving worse.

I was lucky, I had 4 other dogs and I doted on them.

Still to this day, 21 years later, I go sit on her grave in my back yard. She was a really special dog to me. I have lost quite a few others but their death did not impact me like she did.

Maybe you could just check out the dogs in the pound, humane societies, rescue missions, or special breed rescue. You don't have to get one now but just check out what is available. There are thousands of dogs in these places that need a good home before they get euthanized.

Answer 5

That's a personal decision. For some people, it's better if they wait and for others, they are soothed by getting another animal immediately. I have cats and if I were to only have one cat and it died, I would want another one immediately. I actually have 3 cats, though and if one were to die, it might not be as necessary to get another one immediately. If you think you would benefit from getting another dog now, do it. If you'd feel guilty, then you might want to wait awhile. There's no right or wrong answer. It's really all up to you and what you're comfortable with. I'm sorry to hear about your dog. I know what it's like to lose a pet that is a member of the family!

Answer 6

First off, I'm very sorry to hear about your dog. I lost mine too, so I know what it's like, and I know what you're feeling about replacing your dog. I think the best thing for you right now is to take some time before getting another dog, if you do decide to get one. Twelve years is a good long time to have a dog, and you'll need time to deal with that. The only way you can get another dog without feeling guilty about trying to replace your old dog is to give yourself ample time to mourn and remember your old dog. After the initial hurt you'll realize that you're not trying to replace your old dog, you just like having dogs around. And it'll be okay.

Good luck

Answer 7

First i am sorry for your lost it is never easy. Secondly time i am affraid is the only thing you can do. It is never easy losing a much loved family member. It is only natural to be upset and it is important not to bottle it up if it helps talk to you family or freinds because it is at times like this that you need them. Don't rush out and get another dog as it want help a new dog should always come in to a happy settled home not one so full of sadness. In time you may want to get another but you have to feel ready for it . The pain will get easier with time and you will be able to recall the happy memories you have off you dog.

Answer 8

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Replacing a pet soon after their death is not only OK, but it is healthy for you as it promotes healing and enables you to better deal with the loss. It does not mean that you have betrayed your former pet, nor that you no longer love them. It simply means that your heart is big enough to love yet another pet. Your love for your Husky will not diminish with the purchase of another pet. Each pet is unique, and you will love your new pet in a different way than you love any of the others. Don't expect your new pet to be like any former one. They are all different so, if you expect that the new one will be nothing like the former pet, you will do yourself and your new pet a huge favor. Try to remember all the good times you had with your Husky, but keep in mind that their life span is 10 - 12 years. It sounds like she had a good long life, and you did what was right by her. You have nothing to feel sorry for, and you should not allow feelings of guilt to overwhelm you. Adopting a pet is a real big deal, so take your time and make the right decision. Have fun.

Answer 9

Hi there,

I know exactly what your going through because to be honest with you my dog (a German Shepherd) died today as a matter of fact. It's difficult with all the trauma, memories, it's like a stab to the heart. Like you I've only had large dogs my entire life as well and the idea of replacing my sweetheart (Skippy - RIP) brings up a sense of guilt. At the moment I'm still traumautized and still coping up with the recent loss, so I came on here and like I said I can definitely relate.

At the time it's hard enough thinking about replacing your passed loved one but I think deep down each of us who love dogs will move on in time after we cope up with the stress of our latest loss. Yes, I personally think you should wait and give it some time. I will surely wait as all of this ceeps in. But I think that even if we choose to have another dog, the idea of expectations to the previous loved one shouldn't really bode us. Each pet is unique and maybe there will be qualities in a new pet that the past one didn't. I guess all we can do is hope for the best and let life carry itself out; don't put too much stress on expectations.

Give yourself some time, let your recent loss ceep into you. I think that once your ready to move on, you can explore having a new dog. Goodluck.

Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or whatever else at [e-mail]

Peace, and sorry to hear of your loss.
I know what it's like cause I'm going through it at this very moment.

SK

Answer 10

For one thing you will never be able to replace her because she was her own special personality. I lost my Pom to a fire and it was like losing a member of the family to me. When you lose a pet that you really love you can never replace them. You may bring another pet into your life, it will not be the same as the other. You will develop a different relationship with this pet. But the most important thing is, don't jump in thinking that you can replace that pet. Give it a little time and don't feel guilty. There is nothing wrong with having someone else to love. Sounds like you have a lot to give..