So our poor old boy doesn’t have long. Most evenings he is in a lot of pain and we have now exhausted most avenues of analgesia available. I know that the heartbreaking decision is just around the corner.
The amount of people who when this comes up in conversation will ask me “So, are you going to get another one?”, usually with a bright smile on their faces absolutely baffles me! Who in the name of god would think this is an appropriate question under these circumstances??
Now I realise that it comes from a good place, or at least a place of ignorance, rather than malice, which is why I usually just bite my tongue and say that we are not even thinking about anything like that at the moment. But honestly, don’t people realise what they are saying? This is not like an old sofa I am getting rid of, or a car that is finally scrapped before I can get a shiny new one! He has been part of our family for years and years! Two out of 3 DCs have never known their lives without him!
Honestly, if you are one of those people, please think next time before opening your mouth. As I said I know it is usually meant to put a positive spin on this devastating episode of our lives, but honestly, it really isn’t helping.
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
“Will you get another one?”
SummersB · 15/10/2018 01:12
So sorry about your poor pet you must be going through the worst of times. Some people have no understanding of the love we have for our pets and can’t relate to the fact they are not objects that are replaceable, they think it’s just a dog / cat or whatever, it’s the same with the grieving process, some people are far more sympathetic to the loss of great aunt Maud who you have only seen about 5 times in the last 20 years than a beloved pet who you have loved, cared for and nurtured, putting their wants and needs above your own and was a member of the family, your just expected to have a little cry for a day or so and then just get yourself another one, they just don’t understand the devastation the the loss of a pet brings. Sorry that was a bit of a rant but I totally get where you’re coming from. 
to you.
Thank you it’s devastating and we are all absolutely heartbroken at the thought. Yes I’m sure you are all right and people who say this just don’t get it. But it’s even people who have dogs themselves! Floranomad I guess they fall in the same category as those getting a replacement pet even before the other one passes. I’m actually shocked that people would do that! But I guess everyone is different.
I get it and would be upset if anyone said something similar to me.
So sorry to hear about your old dog, Summers 
. This is the hardest bit of pet ownership. Even the actual loss and grief is easier than this period of are-we-doing-the-right-thing worry and apprehension of the coming end.
People can be incredibly insensitive. They don't mean to be, but they often are. Try to filter out the numpties. for you and your boy
My best friend passed away at just 5. It was heartbreaking and I will never love another dog the way I did her
Before she even passed away I was thinking about what dog I could get next. 6 weeks after she passed away I’d brought home a puppy.
In no way was it to replace her. I look back now and realise it was my way of coping. I couldn’t and didn’t want to deal with her dying and not having her around and I thought by having another dog it would distract me and help the pain
It did and it didn’t I guess. My puppy is almost 2 now. I don’t regret getting her and I would never be without her, but I now know I got her for the wrong reasons.
Some people just don’t think when they ask those sort of questions.
Hope you’re okay
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