I’m never getting a pet again!

When I lost my first pet I was heartbroken. I'd had my kitty from a tiny kitten & got him when I moved out of home to my first place. I had him nearly 20 years & he'd been my confident through a lot, from my early twenties. When I married & had kids he was such a big part of our family. When he passed I said no more cats but we lasted a year & got a new kitten as we missed the company a cat can be. It was the same when we lost our gorgeous dog. He was 13 years old when we had to make the decision to let him go. It was one of the hardest things to decide but we done it for him & had the vet come to the house so he was in familiar surroundings & all the family with him. Again we said we'd never get another dog as it was so painful loosing him, but again we lasted a year & got another one. The house wasn't the same without a dog in it. We now have a nearly 4 year old lab that's absolutely crazy. I think we forgot the puppy stages & were used to an old, laid back gent who slept lots & was happy curled up next to us.
Cherish the time you have left with your baby & don't make any rash decisions when she goes to get another to replace her. They can never be replaced, but having another does help a little.

Ours is 16. Blind nearly totally deaf and incontinent but on good days he still has a nice time . I feel guilty for even thinking the unthinkable.

I lost my almost 12 year old Labrador last month, I very much understand where you are coming from. I always seen myself as someone that would have dogs all the time, but I no longer want that for the same reason, I have been too heartbroken.

Oh @ilikemethewayiam Im so sorry. I can’t imagine and dread the day I have know what your pain is like, for me the anticipation is bad enough. As I’ve previously alluded to adore them both as I did or rather do losing my dog will hurt more than losing my parents did.
Please know though that you did the right thing for your best friend.
xx

Oh she’s beautiful😘😘😘.
I just love her little cone shaped face. 🤣

I am so, so sorry.

Please know that you filled his life with love, he had a good life because of you and in the end you carried out the final act of kindness for him.

Sending you gentle hugs x

i’ve Just come back from putting my beautiful boy to sleep. He collapsed and was in pain. I knew it was the right decision to let him go but I don’t know how I’m going to be through this. He was my world. I’ve just come home to an empty house. His bed is in the corner, his toys are all over the floor. His bowl is still wet from his last meal. I’m utterly bereft. I feel lost.

I got a second dog a few years ago when my older dog started slowing down because I hated the idea of an empty house.

My older dog has lasted longer than I'd expected and is 15 now, the younger one is 5. It'll still be horrible when we lose her but at least I know I won't rush in to replace her because we have another dog. Once the younger one goes (assuming natural life span) I'll be older myself and probably won't want the responsibility of a dog but that will be hard.

@User68 I am so very sorry.

Thinking of you and sending much love ❤️ xxx

I had to put one of my dogs to sleep about 2 years ago and it's still a very painful memory for me. I will think about her a few times a week - i still miss her terribly. Actually I think about all of my dogs that have died over the years. I have two other dogs and I worry about them getting older. I say if they pass before I do (I'm old) I wont get another pet as I can't stand the pain of them dying.

Oh, you have voiced everything I feel about pet ownership, I have one dog coming up to 12, who has a medical condition and had cancer twice and the other darling is 10 and had cancer once, she is also a very big breed and 10 is a good age for her breed.
I look at them and have so much love for them, its unbelievable, I hate that they are getting old. They have kept me sane on a couple of occasions and brought so much joy. They are such a big part of our lives. I know for certain I will never get another dog again, no matter what anyone says.

I get it 💕

Sending love ❤️

Thank you ❤️ He was a Brittany spaniel rescued from the south of Italy. He was the greediest dog known to man, but also the gentlest. He had a passion for stalking ducks and hunting lizards and was our shadow from the first day we picked him up. He served as the fluffiest pillow for our other dog, who would rest her head on his tummy when they curled up for the night. He was the best dog (but of course, everybody thinks they have the best dog, and they’re all correct).

Having our nearly 13 year old dog PTS tomorrow. Feel so so sad and dreading being without her. Do have a cat so at least one animal in the house. I’m not planning on getting another (well at least for a year or two). Firstly I want to grieve her and also the financial cost of having animals has gone up so significantly that I want to be sure we can afford easily for the length of their life. It does become hugely expensive as they age and less is covered by insurance (most isn’t). Enjoy your dog and try not to think about when you have to say goodbye. When you do think about all the wonderful memories you’ve made and knowing you’ve given them the best life.

I have lost 3 animals in the last 6 months and it's hard (16, 14, and 14 years old). It is devastating but you must not be sad now. Dogs and cats are intine to your moods and feelings and she will be sad as well. Make whatever time you have with her happy and enjoyable the love she brings you. I said I would never have another dig after losing my childhood dog in my 20s but have had 3 and 7 cats in the last 50 years and all have brought me great joy. When my last pet goes (if I don't go first!!) then definitely no more as they would probably outlive me. My children grew up loving and losing family pets and it's been good for them to share their lives with them all and to understand and deal with loss when they died. Youdont replace a much loved pet but you can give another love and care in time and give then a good life lijd you do your current dig when/if you feel ready.

I used to feel like that OP and after losing our first pet, a cat, o couldn't think I'd having another.

Then we decided to get a dog and she brought so much joy into all our lives. After losing her, we decided to get another, and now we have a few. 😬 I love being around animals and decided that the pain was worth it for all the good times and the love and good home we could provide.

We lost our very young dog, she was only just one year old, to cancer a few years back and that was the most heartbreak I've ever felt. It was our other dogs (and other animals) that got us all through it. Although I'm heartbroken when each reaches the end of their life, knowing that I'm giving lots of animals a really good life is important to me. As I've got older I've found it easier to think like that.

I do know some people who feel like you though OP and that's ok. It's devastating to lose them and sometimes it's just too overwhelming to deal with again. I hope your dog has many happy times to come with you. 🐾

I had one dog, that was mine ever. A tiny yorkie. I got her when I was 11 or 12. My mum died when I was 15 and I went to live with relatives, taking my dog with me. The in-law wife had a big dog, dangerous breed, but that was not my dog. She would shout and scream at my tiny little girl until my perfectly house trained dog pissed and shit herself on the floor. Her dog bit my dog in the head and put out one of her eyes. My yorkie escaped and was found sleeping in the garden of a house down the street. My in-law just told them they could "keep it". It broke my heart. The in-law knew it would. That's why she did it. I've never had another pet since. Years later, that (insert insult here) had the nerve to cry to me, seeking sympathy and comfort when her dog got sick. Did she get one. Did she fuck. I just sat there and stone faced and locked eyes with a cold stare.

Each experience during my life of a cat or dog dying has been like having my heart ripped out of my chest and having it stuffed down my throat. My love for them lives on in memory and I grieved far more deeply for their lives ending than for the lives of my own parents.
But, I always want animals in my home for as long as I'm fit enough to care for them, so I will invite another dog onto my home and heart when my little fluffball breathes her last, but it wouldn't be a replacement, as each animal is a separate entity.

Pleased your girl is OK @Whynotmakeittwo

We said we'd never get another dog after our first one died but about 4 years later (we'd just had a baby when we lost her) we found our next angel.

We got a rescue dog and my God, he was hard work! He jumped up (he's a big dog), pulled when walking and had both separation and resource anxiety. However, he is now the most gentle, lovely boy who is approaching the end of his life and we are dreading losing him.

We will get another dog - for a start, we can offer a rescue dog a good home but also because we love having a dog around - and I'm sure it will be hard work to start with all over again!

(We also have two cats so they have to approve of the dog as well.)

I have said 'no more dogs' so many times. My 5th Sheltie has just gone 12 and the thought of losing her is dreadful. I definitely will not have another dog, but I have said that four times and my husband does not believe a word if it.

They become such a huge part of our lives and it is just awful to lose them, but gradually you seem to only remember the good times.

My old girl tonight, on my bed. Has claimed her place there for the past 13 and a bit years
I can't even think about when she wont be there.

for those that get it.