If your pet dies, do you get another right away...or do you take some time to gr

1. 79

   TamCorposted 12 years ago

   If your pet dies, do you get another right away...or do you take some time to grieve?
   
   A friend has recently lost two pets, and immediately replaced each one with another.  We lost our own dog several years ago, and still aren't ready to get another one...I'm curious as to how often people deal with the loss as my friend did, or how many would, or did, react as we did.

   replyreport
2. 68

   FishAreFriendsposted 12 years ago

   For me it's too hard to replace a beloved pet immideately. I would never do that, I would grieve for a very long time first.

   replyreport
3. 61

   onegreenparachuteposted 12 years ago

   Ah yes.  THAT question!!  It's a good one because it makes me think - and feel.  My pets are precious to me and when one passes it breaks my heart.  There is no possible way their little presence can be replaced.  But, I soon long for a warm, furry body to hold in my arms.  I continue to grieve, but my eyes cry while my my mouth smiles.
   Carol

   replyreport
4. 60

   landscapeartistposted 12 years ago

   It's been over 5 years since I lost my beloved cat.  Mischief came to our family as a tiny kitten.  Her mother had been run over and Mischief was left with no mommy to take care of her.  We took her in and nursed her with an eye-dropper.  She was so tiny, a little ball of black and white fur. 
   Mischief lived with us for 17 years.  I hadn't realized that, for cats, dying around family is too hard.  They will sneak off away from those they love and die quietly.  I haven't come to terms with losing her yet, and I don't want to get another cat.  I don't think I ever will.

   replyreport
   1. 56

      agrapinaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      my 19 year old cat that had passed was also super tiny. taken from her mother before her ears even unfolded. I had to feed her with an eye drop also and she grew strong and lived long. I need to get cats out of shelters that is why I adopt so soon..

      replyreport
5. 64

   GDiBiaseposted 12 years ago

   I lost my Shih Tzu recently,  I loved her so much my heart ached, She had a severe stroke that left her paralyzed. After all kinds of tests to the tune of $4000, MRI ultrasound, and many test and days  in the hospital she had not improved and we came to the horrible choice of what to do. We decided because we loved her so to treat Molly with dignity and set her free of her pain. The grief I felt was all consuming, I cried constantly. I miss her so.  I just got a young Shipoo, he will never take my Princess Molly's place in my life or my heart, but he does make he smile, he is  a rescue pup from down south who was abused, he needed love and I needed a furry baby to hug and share my love with. That might not be everyone's choice, but I think is depends on the person.
   Gail

   replyreport
6. 59

   FloraBreenRobisonposted 12 years ago

   There were nine years between me losing our family cat and me getting Amy. I grieved a long time. Yet one of Grandma's sisters was well known for getting another Peke the day after each Peke died (she only ever had male Pekes). She lived alone, so that might have had something to do with this. We all grieve differently.

   replyreport
7. 61

   Dubuquedogtrainerposted 12 years ago

   I'm not aware of any statistics, but I have seen people deal with the loss of a pet both ways. I personally did not get another dog after my last one died until 2 years later, but I have seen people get a new pet right away. It's a personal choice and I don't know that either is right or wrong. However, I would caution people to avoid getting another pet on the rebound, as it might be something they later regret for having not thought it completely through and making a decision based on emotion rather than through careful consideration.

   replyreport
8. 82

   brenda12lynetteposted 12 years ago

   One of our dogs died last September. Our other dog was not used to being alone, so for his sake we got another right away. Had that not been the case, we probably would have waited longer.

   replyreport
9. 56

   agrapinaposted 10 years ago

   I have been rescuing, and adopting cats since I got my NYC apartment at age 18. I am now 56! That is a lot of cats and for me, when one of them has passed I fill the slot immediately. Room for one more. Their fur makes a wonderful tissue to wipe any tears away. This year was a strange one. For the first time I was down to one cat (on average there are 3) who was 19 years old. When she passed, I was so stressed I just couldn't run out and get more cats. That was a first for me. But cats are service animals to me. I have certain chronic conditions that cause me to stay home a lot, isolated. I need them for a reason to get up out of bed. 3 weeks after my last cat died, I adopted the most wonderful  "bonded pair" cats from the ASPCA. Over 3 and they are free. I'm on a campaign to promote ADOPT DON'T SHOP.  Maybe that will be my "hub". Hope this helped you. Best wishes.

   replyreport