Pet Adoption: How Soon After Our Dog Died?
Our Cockapoo, Annie, died unexpectedly when she was exactly six months old. We were shocked! I was actually beside myself. She was such a perfect addition to our family. We just removed her last set of flags from her Invisible Fence training the night before. We loved Annie!
We have five children ages seven to two. They were sad, but one of the first questions they asked me was, "When can we get a new puppy? We want a new Annie!"
This made me wonder, how soon can we get a new pet? Is there an official wait time? Are we insensitive if we get a new pet right away? Would be dishonoring Annie?
Like always, kids are amazing with their simple understanding and acceptance of changes in their lives. I needed to understand what was going through their little minds.
Why do you want a new puppy?
“We loved Annie so much! We still can love a new puppy!”
Are you replacing Annie?
“Mommy, you can’t replace Annie! She was our puppy!”
What kind of puppy should we get?
“We want one that looks just like Annie!”
Again, are you replacing Annie?
“Mommy, we look alike and you can’t replace us!”
After the death of Annie, how soon can we get a new pet?
"Whenever we want!"
Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
We read the the book 
So we read the book. It talks about where dogs, but in our case Annie, go when they die. They are running everywhere! They are all good mannered. There are so many treats for them to have. It mentions that sometimes Angels will bring the dogs, invisible to us, back to our yard to visit.
This book is perfect!
Other Annie Hubs
- How Did Our Healthy Puppy Die?
I am still in shock. How did our 6 month old puppy die? - A Humorous Attempt At Home Pet Grooming
Have you ever tried to groom your pet yourself? I have. See how my first attempt at home grooming went! - Our Cockapoo: Annie
We began our journey to find a family pet. Follow us as we decide and fall in love with our Cockapoo, Annie
Our Puppy Loved Us
This morning, waiting for the bus, my son said out of the blue, “I bet Annie has already checked on us. She is so busy having fun, but she still wants to make sure we are happy, too!”
I asked him, “What if we got a new puppy? Would Annie feel like we replaced her?”
Quizzical, my son said, “Mom, why do you keep asking us that? We can’t replace Annie. You didn’t have more kids to replace any of us. We just wanted more kids! But, we do want one that lasts longer. We just didn’t get to play with Annie long enough!”
Pet Adoption: We Have Decided!
So, we decided, we will get a new puppy right away. The kids are right. We aren’t replacing Annie. Annie was a rock star puppy! We are just getting a new puppy! We aren’t proving we love her less with the new addition.
I feel like my kids understand. We loved Annie. She was their first dog. They will always remember her.
Honoring Annie!
Annie’s unofficial middle name was Elizabeth. My kid kids think you must have a first and middle name when trying to get someone’s attention. “Annie Elizabeth, off the table! Annie Elizabeth, we are going inside!”
We have picked out a new puppy. The kids are so excited. She will look just like Annie. Not because we are replacing Annie, but because Annie was just plain adorable. We look alike. Why can’t our dogs? We plan to get her this weekend.
Her middle name will be Annie.
© 2012 Karen Lackey
Comments
AUTHORThanks, Thundermama. I tried to read it again to the kids. They look at me like I am crazy because they think it is such a happy book. It still chokes me up! We will enjoy the new puppy. She better be ready for some love!
What a lovely hub. Dog heaven is a wonderful book to help children deal with the loss of a beloved family pet. I cry every time I read it too. Good luck with your new pup.
- AUTHOR
thanks for reading! I feel like my kids are still too young for a shelter dog. I think a puppy is the right step for us now. Weimaraner's are beautiful dogs! I hope you have him for YEARS to come!
Aren't kids' minds amazing? To think that your kids came up with those responses...so cute, even when I'm sure they're sad.
I really can appreciate that you didn't just up and get a new puppy as soon as your dear Annie passed on. It was very wise to make sure the kids were ready to have a new puppy.
I know I'll be dealing with this in a few years. Our dog, a Weimaraner, has been around since before the kids were born, but they are very attached and he is so good with them. He was a puppy from a pet store that my husband and I fell in complete love with when we first were married. He's six years old now...
Next time for us, we'll be finding a new pet at a shelter. Almost everyone we know who has a dog from a shelter says their dogs are wonderful, and I know it'll be the right thing to do.
Voted up, useful and beautiful. Lots of luck with your new puppy!
- AUTHOR
Thanks, AliciaC. It is difficult, but the kids are amazing. I have learned so much from them during all of this. Thanks for reading!
This is a lovely hub about a very difficult subject, twinstimes2. It is so hard when a beloved pet dies, especially when he or she is so young, as Annie was. Your children seem to be dealing with the situation very well. I'm sorry for Annie's loss, but I hope that you all enjoy your new puppy!
- AUTHOR
I completely understand your plea for rescued animals. I have looked multiple rescued cockapoo sites! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, romiegirl2010!
Please consider adopting a puppy from a shelter or rescue. Millions, yes, millions of animals are killed every year in this country from overpopulation, over breeding and irresponsible owners who don't spay and neuter. Rescued animals seem to know that you saved them and it makes you feel good inside as well. Puppies from breeders will always get a home but that one dog you save won't have the same odds. Don't shop, adopt.
- AUTHOR
Thanks for the vote up and the read kashmir56. I always enjoy when I see your 'avatar'!
Hi twinstimes2, it is so nice that you have decided to get another puppy and it is wonderful that your kids understand that you are not trying to replace Annie.
Vote up and more !!!
- AUTHOR
Thanks, Gloshei! Trust me. I am sure I will write about our new puppy!
Awe twinstimes2 I was sad to read of your loss, but as to getting a new puppy that is only for you and your family to decide. I see you are getting one so good on you for being so brave. When we lost ours I just couldn't get another, not for a few years at least then we rescued Jinnie. Now I wish we had done it sooner, you and your family enjoy and keep us posted on how the new pup is doing.
- AUTHOR
Nature by Dawn, I love the picture of you and your dogs. I think I was so worried about what people might say if we got one right away. Talking to our kids helped me realize, it is our decision and really ours alone. Dogs are great! My kids are the best! :)
Sorry to hear about your Annie. The decision to get another dog right away is a personal one and not at all wrong. When I lost my Sephi this past November, I felt lost. I still had my other dog Maya but the house still felt lonely. I think Maya felt it too. So in January, we started looking for a new dog. We didn't want one that reminded us too much like Sephi, though. No dog could ever replace her. Luckily, we found this great dog and named him Pierson. Even though I miss Sephi a lot (and got teary-eyed as I read about Annie) Pierson has helped to fill our hearts once again.
- AUTHOR
Thanks, Just Ask Susan. Kids are remarkable. I learn so much from them!
Annie was such a cutie! I loved all the answers your children gave you especially: "Mommy, we look alike and you can’t replace us."
Sometimes I think children handle loss better than what we adults do.
Sorry for your loss of Annie, and I hope that you enjoy your new pup.
- AUTHOR
Denisemai...thanks for the vote up! We are super excited!
Well done! I've said it before and I'll say it again. There's nothing that makes you feel better than a new puppy. Voted up and awesome.
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