How soon did you start thinking about getting another dog?

[ThymeLord]

It was only Friday that I lost Bob and i'm thinking about it already and feel terrible for it. It's really not that I am trying to replace him, because I won't ever replace him, but the hole is just huge and the need to fill it is honestly consuming me. Is it too soon? How long did you wait? I feel awful for even asking.

ThymeLord and mommybunny, I'm so very sorry for both of your losses.

I only waited 3 days before visiting the dogs home after I lost my darling boy. I just couldn't bear how empty the house felt without him and it broke my heart again to know there were so many rescues waiting for their forever home. I was lucky enough to find another wonderful boy and we'll be celebrating 17 very happy years together very soon. I still miss my previous dog and think about him every single day.

Oh mommybunny I'm so sorry.🙁

We lost our dog unexpectedly in October, we fostered another dog 2 weeks later who went to her forever home before Xmas
Less than 2 weeks ago we rehomed a rescue. Yesterday she collapsed and devastatingly I had to have her PTS last night
I feel dreadful as I'm already thinking about getting another one, so OP I completely understand how you feel
Please be kind to yourself, there is no wrong or right answer

So sorry to everyone who has lost a beloved dog.
I lost my lovely old girl in October and like you op I think frequently about getting a new dog. But then I remember that it's her that I miss, not just any dog. I also work full time so not ideal for a puppy and local rescues won't rehome if you are out of the house for long hours.
I have decided that I will have to wait until I retire or at least cut my hours a bit. That feels like a very long time. Very much a heart vs head decision.

That doesn't help you much but just wanted to share my experience/thoughts
Good luck what ever you decide. X

What a compliment to your late Bob that you can't bear the house without him and want to take on another dog.

I know people who get another (mature) dog within the week. They love greyhounds and there are always so many of them in need of a loving home.

With me it's varied between a few weeks and a few months. Sometimes it's taken a few weeks to accept that the new dog is different, but they always end up being completely adored, and then I have to go through the whole sad business again when the time comes. It's worth it though.

Oh Aliiii that's really sad.x

I think that every dog I've had has been totally adored, totally different from each other and has left us totally devastated when they've gone. Every time you lose a dog a little piece of your heart goes with them, but the next dog gives you it's heart to fill the gap. They're just amazing how they give so much pure love to another species (us), even, in some cases, when that species has badly treated them.

for everyone who has lost a beloved dog. I lost my beautiful girl in March 2016 but I still have her lovely brother, who's nearly 16 now.

I thought this weekend that he would go soon but he appears to have made a miraculous recovery from a nasty bug. But I've already started to think about my next dog(s). My plan is to have a dog-free year but reading all these posts I'm starting to think I won't manage a year.

Well, we lasted 7 weeks without Bob. Here is Frodo

Aww, gorgeous! I hope you're all very happy together.

Welcome home Frodo!

Ha fabulous photo! Hope you are all very happy

He's made himself at home hasn't he 😍. He's an absolute beauty and has clearly landed on his paws with you.

After we lost our first dog it took us about a year to even think about getting another. It took us another year before we found the right one.

But she was very old and ready to go and the last year was quite hard but we’d prepared ourselves for losing her.

The second dog was younger and we weren’t ready for him to go. We were devastated and realised quite quickly that we couldn’t bear being in the house without a dog. We started looking right away and our new dog joined us 10 weeks later. He’s wonderful.

Aw, he’s a beaut.

Well he looks well and truly at home - love the leg - enjoy you're lovely new family member.

*your, not you're.