How soon is too soon for a new dog?

[Frenchfancy]

Our ddog was pts on Monday. She was very old and it was a long time coming. The time was right.

The house feels very empty without her. We have been talking for a few months about getting a new dog and discussed breeds etc so we know what we are looking for. But is it too soon? I appreciate the empty house feeling is part of grief. We are looking at a rescue and there is a suitable candidate at the nearby shelter. I know if we go to look we will probably come home with him.

@Frenchfancy

She was a Gordon Setter.

Oh, she was lovely

I do have a wee soft spot for Black and Tan Dog’s...

Sorry you have lost your gorgeous Setter. In the past I quietly thought that getting a dog quite quickly after a loss just seemed wrong, until I lost my own dog. The emptiness was awful, we didn’t really want to come home each day, friends said give yourself 6 months etc, but I thought well I just don’t want to be without a dog so we collected our new puppy 2 weeks later. There were moments of bitter sweetness certainly, but it was good to have a dog around the place and almost 5 years on we still talk regularly about our lost little girl.

We're 3 years on and don't feel ready. It is different for everyone so just do whatever you're comfortable with!

I have always followed the advice given to me many years ago after the death of a beloved rescue dog: celebrate the love you have for the dog who is gone by opening your heart and sharing that love with another dog that needs you, just as you need him or her! And many dearly loved successors to that first rescue dog have brought me solace and delight since then.

We were all set to visit the shelter this morning then found out it is closed on Thursday!

We might pay a visit Sunday. They now have 2 dogs that would suit us. I hate coming back to an empty house. Going for a walk seems pointless without a dog. And as we are rural I like the extra protection à dog provides. Even when she was very old and deaf Ddog still warned us if someone was coming to the door.

Yes I am always finding people mysteriously outside my door that I’ve not heard since my dog passed! Walking is more fun with a dog, watching them experiencing such fun outside always enlivens a day

When my dm had our ddog pts 30 years ago she never got another.. What a waste of ddoggy love and how many ddogs from a shelter could have been curled up on her sofa over the years?? Her original ddog had parvo apparently and vet said pts ASAP. Ddog lived til nearly 21!!

Let us know how you get on op.

We lost our 19 year old jack Russell in June. We picked up our new Border Terrier on Saturday morning. Her death was not a shock as she had been fading for the past year and I think this helps

We went to the shelter yesterday and it was certainly instructive. Of the 2 dogs we were interested in one has been there for 9months since he was 8months old and would need some serious training (and he's a very big dog) the other was already reserved, but one of the volunteer told us she had already been returned to the shelter because she destroys the house if left alone for 30minutes. We had a long chat about expectations etc. In order to get approved to adopt they do a home visit (fair enough) she said pretty much the only thing they are interested in is how high your fence is. Rescue dogs tend to run away apparently. We have a very big garden with a wall around but it is only about 70cm tall. Ddog never tried to escape, she was not left in the garden if we weren't there.

Basically we left realising that a rescue dog would be much more work than a puppy. And that pretty much all rescue dogs have some serious behavioural problems. Stands to reason really. A good dog will always find a home amongst friends family or neighbours, and good owners would offer their dog free to a good home rather than taking it to a shelter. I know there will be exceptions but I don't know if we are ready to take that risk so we are going to look at puppies instead.

I waited four years as everyone told me not to rush out and get another one. Now we have another one I am annoyed I waited so long. Why did I waste four dogless years?! He’s bought us so much joy

When you get a new dog you don't replace your old dog, because that would be impossible. You just decide to inject new joy into your life.

We managed five months between dogs. They were quiet months.