Dogs =/= best friend?

Question

How many people here have had a dog, or a pet that they have come completely attatched to and really love?
My dog doesn't have many years in him, and I love him to death. I love dogs, especially jack russells, but when he passes, I don't think I'd be able to get another one. I would feel like I'm betraying him.

Has anyone else experienced something similar?

Answer 1

It's such a hard thing losing a member of your family (your dog). It's a loss you will always feel, and you know you will never forget your dog.

But remember, your dog wants you to be happy. I don't think your dog would feel like it's a betrayal to find someone else who can make you happy and ease the loss just a little.

I had the roughest time after my dog was put to sleep due to an aggressive form of cancer. She had helped me through my cancer, so it was a particularly difficult experience that I wasn't able to do the same for her.

When I felt it was time to get another dog, I really searched hard. Have you ever looked at a puppy and not wanted to get it? It's hard, but I needed to make sure the new puppy was the right match. It took me a year just to find the right puppy (I thought I would get another girl, but it turned out to be a boy). And he's absolutely amazing.

He doesn't replace my first dog, he's his own person and an important member of my family.

Don't deny yourself a chance at happiness with a new dog, it's not betraying your other dog. But make sure you're ready first, so you don't end up resenting your new dog for not being the old one.

Answer 2

I have had many animals that were my everything and over time have lost a few, but always got another one because I knew that I would come to bond and love that one too, differently, but love all the same.

I think it is important that you get a new dog when you lose one. It is never "replacing" your beloved, it is just making a new friend. Nothing will ever replace any of my prior pets, but I know that they would want me to find another needy soul to take in and give a great life to. The would not feel betrayed, they would want to see you happy, to see you smile again and to love another dog the way you loved them because there are so many needing homes in this world.

It takes time to get over the grieving process, so you may take a few months to get up the urge to find a new dog, but it will happen. It would be sad to close your heart to some wonderful new pet because you hurt over the loss of one. Imagine if you never experienced the love you and your current dog have? It would be sad if your fear of loss or fear of betraying a past pet would have prevented such a wonderful companion from being in your life. Think of it that way

Answer 3

Yes with my german shepherd when i was a child. I also had a Jack Russel that i got very attached to but when he was about 8 years old i let him out for his potty break while i answered the phone.....I came back outside and saw a truck closing the door and flooring the gas. He was stolen and i looked for him for 4 years but i never found him. I now live in a better town and have a backyard so that is not a problem plus i dont think anybody would try to get near my house with a golden retriever and 2 german shepherds~!

Answer 4

Yes. We got our precious dog when she was only 6 weeks old. Our children grew up with her. She passed 20 years ago. My husband and I have not gotten another dog to replace her for the simple reason we feel she is irreplaceable. Not because we feel we would be betraying her. She was so easily trained, so good to our family and was such a wonderful family member. She never chewed or destroyed anything in the house or outside the house worth while. She new her boundaries. She was an exceptional dog. My husband and I feel that if we got another dog, it would not be fair to the new dog to expect the same from her or him.

Answer 5

He sounds like he's your "lifetime dog". Even though you've loved other dogs deeply, your connection with him goes deeper. It probably seems like you can read each other's minds. My dog Buddy is like that for me. He's 13 now and has some health issues so I can understand how you feel.

Enjoy the time you have with this great dog and always remember how lucky you two are to have found each other and been able to share your lives. Maybe someday you'll find another dog or maybe another dog will find you and you'll just know it's right. I hope so.

Answer 6

cherish the time you have and don't you think he would want you to be happy and if that means getting aother dog rather pure or mix it may save it form the pound and wouldn't that make him happy.

I would think any dog that has had a good life would also respect you for trying to help another of it's own kind. Remember in the long run they are all related. you would just be helping a family mamber how could he get upset with you??

Answer 7

I have had many dogs, they all have their personality. But i would always get another one if one passes. not right away, but you will love the next one too. And besides you would give a good home to a new one.
But you don't have to worry about that now your dog is still alive.

Answer 8

Yes, but I realized I can't stop my love for dogs because of my real best friend death. I realized my dog would want me to be happy, even with if it's with another dog.

Answer 9

My dog is six and I do not know what I would do without him either. After leaving my boyfriend of six years, my dog is all I have. I think you should just try to cherish the time spent with your dog and make sure his time here is happy.

Answer 10

i`ve got 3 dogs , and i love they as much as i can love .
just like you , i love they to death and after death , cause their spirits will be with me for ever , cause our love surpass frontiers and at the own death .
but if they will die , i will adopt another dog and i will give at he more love , and give he too, the oportunity that he didn`t has to give someone up all his care and love .
if my actual dogs die , i don`t forget it NEVER , and if i will have another dog , i`m sure that their spirits will be with me and will be too with the new dog .
i will not think that i`m betraying them .
it`s my opinion and i espect that my answer help you .
bye from ecoleva .