Too Early to get another dog?

paconnors

Lost my best pal (compo) today. he was knocked down by a car today and died instally at least he didn't suffer. is it wrong of me to be thinking of getting another dog so soon. I rescued my lad from a local pound.

Jude13

Very sorry to hear that.

I'd say maybe grieve a little as it may not have sunk in yet. A week or so (just guessing) and get down to a shelter and give another dog some love.

NinetyTwoTeam

Sorry for your loss.

I used to work in an animal shelter and I always found it a bit strange when people replaced pets really quickly. But I figured everyone grieves differently, etc. and if they have kids sometimes it helps them get over it

However, for some reason, I noticed a pattern - people who do this often tended to be people who let their dogs roam until the inevitably got ran over. as is the case here. That combined with the fast replacing makes me wonder if they really value the dogs lives as they should. To me it seems like they're treating their dog the same as a television or dishwasher 'ah sure just get a new one tomorrow'.

Just being honest here. If my dog got ran over I'd be inconsolable for days, since it would be MY neglect that got him/her killed as it was my responsibility to keep him/her safely away from the road.

Any shelter will be glad to have you take someone in, and by all means do that if you want to, but please try to keep your next dog under better control so it doesn't happen again.

Rave.ef

NinetyTwoTeam wrote: »

Sorry for your loss.

I used to work in an animal shelter and I always found it a bit strange when people replaced pets really quickly. But I figured everyone grieves differently, etc. and if they have kids sometimes it helps them get over it

However, for some reason, I noticed a pattern - people who do this often tended to be people who let their dogs roam until the inevitably got ran over. as is the case here. That combined with the fast replacing makes me wonder if they really value the dogs lives as they should. To me it seems like they're treating their dog the same as a television or dishwasher 'ah sure just get a new one tomorrow'.

Just being honest here. If my dog got ran over I'd be inconsolable for days, since it would be MY neglect that got him/her killed as it was my responsibility to keep him/her safely away from the road.

Any shelter will be glad to have you take someone in, and by all means do that if you want to, but please try to keep your next dog under better control so it doesn't happen again.

That's a bit cruel the OP just lost they're best friend and you more or less just blamed them for it... not cool.

The Bishop Basher

OP - There’s no wrong it right In this situation. Do whatever feels right for you. For some people that means waiting a month, for some a year and for others it’s straight away. I’m always in the same camp getting another dog straight away.

Our Jack Russell who joined us as a stray about 8 years ago is literally on his last legs as they keep giving way on him and he’s starting to fit. As soon as he’s PTS i’ll be on the hunt for another dog. It would be the same if anything happened our Boxer. I’d be on DoneDeal within a few days sourcing a new family pet..

As much as we love and adore our dogs they aren’t people, they’re animals, and the best way to get over losing one is to get another one as it fills the void and you’re too busy to spend time moping especially if it’s a pup.

Why have that void in your life any longer then you had too..

And ignore the judgmental post above as based on my own experience of this forum it's likely that you'll get a few unfortunately.

DBB

Swanner wrote: »

And ignore the judgmental post above. You’ll get plenty of them in here unfortunately.

Advising the op to ignore a judgmental post, then following up with a judgmental comment in the very next sentence... Swanner, it's not on to disrespect a forum or the users of it in this way.
If you see posts you have a problem with, report them.
Do not reply to this post on thread.
Thanks,
DBB

erica74

Sorry for your loss OP, he was a handsome chap and looked well looked after.

With regard to getting another dog, only you will know when the time is right. Grief is very individual and everybody moves at a different pace.
When I had my great dane put to sleep, I got 2 dachshunds 4 months later. We had one of our german shepherds put to sleep around 4 months ago and getting another dog doesn't feel right just yet, however, we do have 3 other dogs, one of whom is very old and crusty (lol!) so we don't think she'd cope with a new member joining the house.

When you know you know and if now feels like the right time for you, then maybe it's exactly what you need. Don't listen to anyone telling you you're moving too fast or that you're replacing Compo, you know yourself best.

VonVix

There's no set period for when it's appropriate to get another dog after yours passes away, just be aware that the next dog will likely be very different to your previous one.

I would highly recommend you see about fostering a dog you're interested in from a local rescue, just so you can adjust to a new dog, with new quirks, with a new personality, and if it doesn't work out it's not a big deal since you're only fostering.

So sorry to hear about what happened to your pal.

paconnors

NinetyTwoTeam wrote: »

Sorry for your loss.

I used to work in an animal shelter and I always found it a bit strange when people replaced pets really quickly. But I figured everyone grieves differently, etc. and if they have kids sometimes it helps them get over it

However, for some reason, I noticed a pattern - people who do this often tended to be people who let their dogs roam until the inevitably got ran over. as is the case here. That combined with the fast replacing makes me wonder if they really value the dogs lives as they should. To me it seems like they're treating their dog the same as a television or dishwasher 'ah sure just get a new one tomorrow'.

Just being honest here. If my dog got ran over I'd be inconsolable for days, since it would be MY neglect that got him/her killed as it was my responsibility to keep him/her safely away from the road.

Any shelter will be glad to have you take someone in, and by all means do that if you want to, but please try to keep your next dog under better control so it doesn't happen again.

Hi Ok

Thanks for your input. but I actually rescued him from a pound where he was due to be destroyed. I had lived in the city with him for over 5 years and in that once he never left the the house with out his lead. I moved out to the country side where he had a big garden to roam and which he never ever left. it was just a freak accident. and he had company of my cousins dog. of course I'm not going to replace him today but maybe within 3 months.

Macker1

Very sorry for your loss. I dread the day one of mine is gone. I can only imagine how empty it would feel. Each person will grieve differently so only you can decide when your ready. I would suggest take a little time before making your decision. Adopting a dog from a rescue is the best way of getting a new friend. 😎

The Bishop Basher

paconnors wrote: »

I moved out to the country side where he had a big garden to roam and which he never ever left. it was just a freak accident.

We lost one on the road once as well. We had numerous dogs both before and since so this was very much a freak accident.

Thankfully everyone was incredibly kind from passers by calling back in days later to check on us and the guy who killed him who never claimed for the damage to his car..

I was very relieved at the time that no people were hurt as there would often be people pushing buggies up and down that path..

Honestly though, god help anyone if they'd told me at the time to be more careful in future.. :rolleyes:

Kamili

NinetyTwoTeam wrote: »

However, for some reason, I noticed a pattern - people who do this often tended to be people who let their dogs roam until the inevitably got ran over. as is the case here. That combined with the fast replacing makes me wonder if they really value the dogs lives as they should. To me it seems like they're treating their dog the same as a television or dishwasher 'ah sure just get a new one tomorrow'

That's a bit judgmental and certainly not the case in all occurrences.

I lost my dog to cancer and was very much upset over it. very much.
i had him put to sleep and was there with him in his last moments holding him tight and making sure he felt loved. I was the same with my horse, there for his last moments and had his head on my lap as he breathed his last.

I definitely don't let my dog roam and was devastated when he left.

I do a lot of driving and always had my dog as my companion, and it was nice to have him with me on my journeys.

For the next few days I just couldn't handle the emptyness in the seat beside me in the car, so I looked into getting another friend. I had him home in a few days. I still terribly missed (and still do miss) my old friend but I had all that love to give to a new one. so I did.

Even my vet and the nurses at the surgery were delighted to hear I had a new pal because they saw how much I cared for the old fella when he was ill and they knew I would look after the new addition just as well.

So I think it is totally up to you OP, if you feel you would like a new friend then go for it. Don't feel bad, because everyone is different.

beveragelady

I'm very sorry that you lost your friend. Really, you're the only person who will know when you're ready to get another dog. Maybe the fact that you're asking the question is a hint that in your own head you're not sure if you want to do it so soon.
On the other hand, if you can provide a loving home then what's the point in waiting? You're not being disloyal to your dog's memory, that's for sure. Dogs are great, they're just what you need when things are tough.
Whatever you do, make sure it's your own decision and don't give any thought to what other people think.

Gael23

There’s no right or wrong answer to this but my advice is to wait a few weeks at least. I know too well you want to fill that hole in your heart but you need to grieve and process your loss first. Your next dog will be different in many ways and won’t be a “replacement” and if you get one too quickly it might seem like that and I think affect you bonding with the dog.