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Really looking for some of you guys with experience in this area, but everyone can give an opinion if'n you want to.....

As some of you know, I recently had to put my dog down. It was a hard and horrible decision, but I made it out of concern for his health and the safety of my kids (I'm not going to go into it here...) Anyway, I feel kinda lost without a dog at my feet- or under my desk as it were- and am definately going to be rescuing one from either the SPCA or one of the local rescue societies.

My question....
Is it better to give myself (and the rest of the clan of course!) some time to adjust to what has happened, or is it really easier on us dog people to go out and get another dog to "fill the void" as soon as I feel ready??

What do you think?
L.

Last edited by littlecatjoe at 19-Oct-2005 08:56

If the health issue isn't contagious, as soon as you feel ready, go for it

But i'd wait til that one special dog calls to you, don't just go out wanting to fill the void Let it happen

And i'm sorry about your old fella.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

I agree with Calla, the right one will find you when you are ready and least expect it. I went to the shelter looking for a kitty a couple of years ago, they were all housed in a big room loose. I walked around the room and would stop every once in a while to say hi to one. Every time I stopped there was this one little female at my feet looking up at me just waiting. I sat down on the couch they had in the room and she jumped up and laid down behind me close enough so that I knew she was there but not being a bother. Finally I picked her up and put her on my lap and she curled up like she had been there 1000 times before. I decided she was the one and set her down on a perch so I could go fill out the paperwork. When I went back into the room to get her (at least 1/2 hour later) she was in the exact same spot waiting for me.

---

I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
~ Mae West

Well here it isn't the same as other places in that you can't just go and pick one out and take it home. There is a whole application process including 3 references and a vet history check, then you have to wait until they accept or decline you as a decent pet owner... That is the procedure for the SPCA and every local shelter I can think of- kind of strange when you think of all the animals out there needing homes, but no so strange when you think of all the problems that second hand dogs can bring with them (and cats too, but more dogs)...

I figure the best thing to do would be to submit my application and jump through the hoops they require so then I can go and search whenever I feel the need. My problem comes from worrying about the time frame and not wanting my kids (well, mostly one) to grow up thinking pets are throw away items. Also I can't figure out how much of the need I feel to have a dog comes from me missing my last (he wasn't old dog, or if it's that I want a dog because I miss having a dog....

Does that make sense??

Yes it does make sense LCJ, but if you speak to the kids about it first you will also teach them another good lesson.
Keeping pets is something that makes my life so much better.
You made the right decision with your last dog however sad it was but you gave that dog a good life and it brought happiness to your family and now you would like to do that for another lucky dog Make it clear that you have the chance to make another dog happy and that you guys will have have the joy of another doggy running around you again
The happiness a pet gives you far outweighs the sadness of the loss when they die

I don't think your kids will feel that way about pets - they loved the dog as you did, and they'll always remember him - especially if you give him a special place in the home as a framed photo or something. If you're an animal person, there's enough love in your heart for many dogs without it encroaching on the love for the first one. The next dog will probably have such a different personality to the one who has passed that he won't feel like a replacement at all.

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

Hi littlecatjoe

I agree with the other comments that you should talk to your children to see if they are ready. You can't replace an old friend but you can give a new dog a wonderful home. If you are in a lucky position to be able to give a dog a good home then you should go for it. I would love a dog but live in an appartment and work all day so not really practical at the moment. If you and your family can give a dog all the time, love and attention he/she deserves then it's almost your duty to get a dog! It would be rude not to.

Please post some pictures so I can be very, very jealous!

I think looking around would be the best thing to do for you and your kiddos, Lisa.. There's something about walking thru kennels and then finally finding that face that just screams, "THAT'S THE ONE!!".. I waited 31 years before I finally found "THE" dog that made me determined to bring her home, so who knows.. Maybe your dog will do the same for you when you see him/her..

You can also use the time that you're looking for a new pup to gauge the reactions of your daughter.. If she seems eager, then you know that she's ready to accept a new friend.. If she holds back, it probably wouldn't hurt to give her a little more time.. Same goes for her Momma

*smooches* and all that stuff..

lol, id put down the kids and keep the dog

children are very bad for the health of dogs

Gee, how helpful........

Hi,
When Susan and I got married, she came with a 120 pound,
papered German Shepherd, and a 11 year old son. Shortly
after we got permant custody of my two boys (4 & 8) and
we grew to a family of five and one dog.
One day the kids decided at the dinner table that Max
was lonely, and should have "someone."
So, we purchased a female shepherd, and a couple of
months later our youngest saw our female carrying
a "rat" across the back yard. Investigation reveiled that
we now had a "kennel" with 5 new puppies!

Over the years, Max passed away, as did our female,
we purchased replacements and in between was a bout
with Parvo in which we lost an entire litter.
Somehow, it was always me who had to take the dogs to
the vet, and always me (alone) who had to be
there whenever we had to put one down.

As the kids were growing up and the first part of
high school and college, the dogs were almost a necessity for the kids.
They seemed to depend upon them to grow and mature almost
as much as the dogs depended upon them. Once High School
and college came about the dogs reverted to "our" dogs,
and new jobs and other activities took our attention.
Eventually we moved, and gave our remaining male to our
oldest son while we moved out west for a new job
opportunity.

The new residence did not have room for a DOG, and neither
of us wanted a "toy" so we did nothing... For about a
month. Then we decided that we were missing something in
our lives, and while dogs were still not an option, we
decided to adopt a couple of kittens. That was 14 years
ago. The kittens played with themselves while we were at
work (Susan and I work together) and each adopted one of
us for their own. Eventually, one got sick and had to
be put down, and of course, it was up to me (again).

Now the house is ruled by a single cat, who I call the
"terror" and while she is an "old lady" (14) she has
many many more years with us and brooks no nonsense, and
of course is "Susan's" cat. When she finally passes
on into Kitty Heaven and starts chasing dogs, we will
go back to the SPCA and get two more. Neither of us
can envision our lives without each other, and without
the comfort and companionship of a pet.

How soon you get another dog(s) should be a family
discussion that allows each to give voice to their
thoughts and feelings, and then the family should act
on the outcome.

Frank


Last edited by FRANK at 21-Oct-2005 17:42

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Lisa, I am so sorry We got another dog right away when Kate was run over because my oldest son's therapist said it would stop his nightmares. She ain't Kate, but when my poodle went, I had to wait. I wasn't ready to replace him. Eventually we got Tinker, and Jake really has bonded with her. Perhaps the time gap helped him heal.

Ooops, I forgot about this thread..

Thanks for the advice everyone, it has been a tough thing to ride out but I think we are over the worst of it now.

As to getting cats, I already have two cats that have been with me for ages... The original "Littlecatjoe" (actually, her name is Harlee and she's now 11 ) is once again with us in the house, and the other (13 years young) remains with my mother who refuses to give her up..

I believe we could now be ready for another dog. My eldest daughter has been able to work through her sadness and anger (at me of course reasonably quickly, and the little one only had a week or so of waking up every hour all night to scream until I picked her up.. (NOT fun!!) I also have come to accept what had to be done and the fact that it was all my decision and feel it would be right for us to save another where we couldn't save our first..... *BIG SIGH*

Now the search begins at the local shelters and rescue groups. I am not looking forward to it because I am such a bleeding heart...

I'll keep you posted.
L.