How soon to get new pet?

jackseptember

Hi all,
I've been a follower of this forum for some time, and so probably ought to know the answer to this question. In the last few weeks, I had to put my 17 y.o. dog to sleep. My dog was a big part of my everyday routine, especially in terms of walks after work, etc.

I'd really like to get a new dog at some point, and just want to know what is a reasonable length of time between the death of my old dog and the arrival of new dog? Given that it is now approaching end of summer, would I be better waiting until Spring/summer?

Thanks
Jack

VonVix

There's no time frame. When you feel it's right to welcome another dog into your home, that's the right time. It could be an hour, it could be a month, it could be five years. Some people feel as if they are dishonouring their dog by welcoming another into their home "too soon", but I firmly believe that that's not true.

If you're looking for a puppy, I tend to prefer getting one around Spring simply for the socialisation aspect (loads more activity in parks) but that's the only real benefit I can think of.

tk123

+1 whatever you feel yourself is the right time! My friends poor old girl died the end in Nov and new pup came home in Jan - just by chance she had contacted the breeder and there was puppies from the same lines. When our cat died we were ready to get another asap because he'd died suddenly but it took my mum a bit longer to get to the point where she was ready... then we decided we weren't ready for another cat and baby Bailey arrived lol.

aonb

If you are really missing a dog in your life, why wait - go and find a new lovely friend. I cant imagine life without animals around me. Who would I talk to?!

kylith

If you think about it; the sooner you feel ready, the sooner some poor dog will have a good home.

jenn1984

I agree with everyone else - there is no 'appropriate' time frame. If you want to get a dog today, get one (from a shelter - preferably).

ShaShaBear

There is no appropriate timeframe. Just whenever you feel ready! We started the search roughly one week after Shadow died. The house was empty without him, and I missed a couch buddy and someone to talk to while my husband was at work :pac:

Choc Chip

VonVix wrote: »

If you're looking for a puppy, I tend to prefer getting one around Spring simply for the socialisation aspect (loads more activity in parks) but that's the only real benefit I can think of.

You forgot the benefit of housetraining in spring/summer!

We fostered 2 puppies in winter this year and there is something utterly soul destroying about standing in the dead of night, wet and cold, wind whistling through you, waiting for a puppy to do it's business. *shudders*

tk123

There's been torrential rain some nights though this summer!