How soon after losing one dog did you get another?

Let me add, there has never been a time in my life where I didn’t have a dog. I’m 40. Personally, I feel that in the new year I will be ready.

No dogs here but cats.
My 3 yr. old tortie point siamese “Mia” I adopted almost 2.5 years ago, one month before my old Himalayan had to be put down for a failing heart. :-( He was the last of 3 and had been an only cat for his last 4 years.
I knew I would need a new kitty to help me cope with him being gone. Mia was 10 months old when I adopted her and they got along great up until my old guys death.

My newest guy “Myles” was a 5 yr. old I adopted last Dec. and he and Mia get along great. I have had him almost one year on Dec. 2.
There was a middle kitty I adopted that, sadly, developed the horrible F. I. P. disease after 8 months and I had to euthanize him a year ago June. Mia was alone for 6 months before I adopted Myles.

I adore these two, the next generation. Long live Mia & Myles!

Sorry for your loss @Mama_Cakes. I have always had more than one dog so when I lost one there has always been another around to comfort me. Most of mine are rescues so getting another one is in the hands of fate.

I’ve had to put 2 dogs down within the last 5 years. I waited about a year after their deaths on both of them to get another dog. I kept telling myself I wasn’t going to get another dog and put myself through that again, but I can’t see going through life without the love of a pet.

When I was growing up we always had dogs, so I got used to the changes. After my husband’s dog died, we didn’t get another one for about 16 years, because I think they are too much trouble. I had my next to last one for 10 years when she died, but another one adopted me about 5 years ago. When he’s gone, I probably won’t get another one.

We got our current dog about 4 months alter our last dog died. Apparanly I took the loss hard enough to make my wife concerned about my constant moping.

I lost both of my Goldens within a month about 6 years ago. I had them for 12 years. Still no new dogs since then.

I wait a long time. I am not dependent on a dog to make me feel better, I’m also not saying other people who have a dog quickly after another pet loss are like that.

I had a dog that I lost in my early 20s and I did not get another until I was in my early 30s. I have had my two bffs now for 8–9yrs. When their days come I have decided I will not get another dog for a long time. I am connected to these guys by my late husband it will be hard to let go. I have issues letting go, I always have, that’s what usually is in the way :/

@nofurbelowsbatgirl I get that. My dogs and I gave our hearts to each other completely. It will take a while to find another pair as amazing as those two.

Three years after our yorkie died, we adopted a havanese – only because my daughter really wanted another dog.

I love dogs, but I was fine without the extra responsibility – but it made the munchkin happy, and she’s a great doggie.

@Adirondackwannabe I think about it often. How my life would be without them, how if I got another pet for me it may make me feel worse, and then I’d not give my full deserving attention to the new dog because I would think about the others. This is also another reason why I will wait until the grief is not so bad. It just doesn’t seem fair. If I had to get a new dog I want to be able to give my entire self to that dog.

I don’t want ANYONE to take me comments as critical to people that go out and replace a dog soon after losing one. We all handle grief and loss differently. This is just my choice. I didn’t even choose my dogs. They just showed up and said you’re mine. They were amazing dogs.

I’m not replacing him.

@Mama_Cakes Sorry. Poor choice of words. I could never replace mine. I’m so so sorry if I hurt you.

I had my boy for 16 years. The last few years he wasn’t well. I loved him to bits, but he just wasn’t himself anymore.

I have a lot of love to give and I’m most definitely a dog person. Having a dog in my life is very important.

We had two dogs for a long time, and had to put them down a year apart.
It was so hard on us, we decided not to have another dog for a while.
It’s been 10 years or so.

It was years between my cocker spaniel dying and me getting another dog. I waited about two years after my 18 year old cats died before I got another. I just wasn’t ready for another before then. Listen to your heart. You will know when it’s time. Perhaps you can foster a dog in the short term. Here I believe you can foster puppies from the RSPCA so they are socialised until they find permanent homes. If you can do something like this it might give you a chance to decide if you’re ready without the permanent commitment.

I usually have at least 2 dogs so I am never without one. I would get one right away, I just simply have to have a furry creature to love. Hope you find one to make your life bigger very quickly!

For years I had three cats. When the last of that group died after 18 yrs., it just felt so empty without at least one kitty. And there are so many shelter pets in need of a loving home.

It was about a week later when I found Smoochie. She had just been dumped put in the snow to fend for herself.

No pet ever replaces another as each one has its own distinct personality.

Whenever your heart feels ready to be open to a different doggie companion, the right one will come along. Don’t hesitate to follow your heart regardless of what anybody else thinks.

You will still be grieving your doggie who just passed for quite awhile and getting another might help in that process or it may not. There will ALWAYS be a special place in your heart for each departed pet that no other can ever replace. It’s reserved.

But just because you have room in your home and heart for the newcomer, doesn’t dishonor your faithful companion of so many years. It just means you have a larger heart with room for another.

There is no “appropriate time” to wait. Everybody is different. Do what is comfortable for you. Follow your heart’s instinct here and you’ll know the right one when he comes along. Just don’t wall yourself off from the possibility that the right one may be right around the corner. Follow your heart.