I miss my dog so much but we can't get another - can we?

[WhoisitnowRalph]

I lost my dog 5 weeks ago, she was in chronic pain and we just couldn't let her go on. She was 12 and a half and she was my child substitute, I still cry a little for her every day and so does DH.

We fantasise about getting another dog (we talk about breeds and names!) but it just isn't practical. We were lucky with Ddog that she could be left and was used to it (we didn't plan that, life just changed and we were fortunate that she took it in her stride), but a new dog from a rescue or a puppy obviously couldn't be.

Is it possible to plan daycare and dog walkers etc in advance of a new dog? We could never have that kind of help before as our dog was super aggressive to anything that moved so nothing and no one could interact with her - I hope that any new pup will be "normal" so we can arrange such things as daycare or regular walks whilst we're at work.

Realistically I just can't see it working though. We are going to have to pine until we're retired aren't we! Am I being defeatist or realistic?

Could you join Borrowmydoggy and get an occasional dog fix that way? Our dog stays with a lovely couple for occasional weekends and holidays, they stay in our house and we increase and pay for any additional dog walking needed.

greyhound?

christ life is life and people have to work. Those poor bloody dogs stuck in kennels. Id rather get somone in to let him/her out for a wee twice in the day and have the evenings snuggled up with their family.

I would not leave a dog for 13 hours but i absolutely would get a walker in

but - i wouldNOT get a puppy!! get an older dog

How about investigating if any of the assistance dog charities have a base near you where they train dogs from? Guide Dogs for example board a lot of their dogs in training with local volunteers who have them evenings and weekends.