Taking the plunge after losing beloved dog

[Benji13]

We lost our adored dog Ben in January unexpectedly to liver cancer. He was 12.
We were absolutely devastated and tbh continue to cry every day. Here he is - our lovely boy ❤️

The rescue centre we had him from all those years ago has been in touch about a 14 week old sprocker in need of a home. Handed in unwanted any more 😳 poor thing, just a baby, apparently he’s a nervous lad. They wonder if we are interested in him. Whilst he’s not a breed I would have chosen - we love real cross breeds - is he what we need? Are we ready - I just don’t know.

How do you feel ready to ‘ move on’ ? The thought of another dog in our boys home is really hard, but equally we feel dog people without a dog and gave so much love to give.

I’m working from home now so timings good and we have 3 cats so a pup who can be trained to be their friend is a good fit. Our 2 boys are grown up now but still at home.

How have people felt when they have had a new dog?

Instead of thinking of it as replacing your lovely dog, think of it as giving a pup who’s had a bad start on life a wonderful home 🥰.

We lost our beloved dog at the beginning of February aged 12. We feel completely bereft but we are now at the stage of looking for another dog and we see it as being able to give love and care to a another dog and that it's something our dog would want us to do like it's like his legacy to us as he was such a friendly loving dog. Dogs help you to be your best person

I lost a dog last year and I am not over it. My siblings and parents have both got new dogs (dog that passed away was our family/ growing up pet) and have both remarked that it didn't feel like they were replacing DDog, just offering a chance to another dog that deserved it.

I lost my gorgeous girl in January, very unexpectedly to liver cancer and was absolutely heartbroken. Like you, I loved everything about having a dog and felt bereft without her. After a lot of research I put my name down with 2 breeders who carried out all health checks etc for future litters, one of which wasn't due until the end of 2022 but then one of them contacted me to say at the last minute someone had changed their mind. They knew I'd had that breed before and so knew what I was letting myself in for. Anyway, I went and saw her and 3 days later brought her home. She's brilliant, she will never replace my first dog and i have so many wonderful memories that will never fade, but it feels like fate. I'm glad it happened quickly as otherwise I would have agonised over the decision and whether or not I was being disloyal to my first dog. It sounds the same for you. It's up to you whether you do or don't and only you can make that decision but don't deny a dog a fab new home and you a wonderful new family member because you feel guilty.

We lost our old boy in October. He was 19 and I couldn't have imagined another dog in the house. But slowly I started missing having a dog more than I was missing him.
I work from home and although we have a busy household, when I was alone the house felt too empty.
We brought our new rescue home in March and although I cried and felt guilty (I know) we haven't regretted the decision for a second. She will never replace him but she was definitely missing from our lives.
We were the same as you. Dog people without a dog. I was still going on dog walks without my side kick!

I got my new puppy yesterday!! Our lovely springer died last year at just under 15 years old and I was so heartbroken I didn’t think I’d ever want another dog. However, a few weeks ago we started talking about getting another one and how much we missed having a dog.

Funnily enough I had a little cry yesterday as I felt so sad about our old dog and guilty about replacing him. The pup is here now and actually he won’t replace him, he is his own personality even though he’s the same breed.

I talked to my cousin about this a while ago when her beloved old dog died and she was unsure about getting a new one quickly. I think we have an infinite capacity for love, so it isn't a matter of using up our "love quota" that was used for the old dog on this new dog. We will still love the old one just as much, but there will grow new love for the new one. There is place in our hearts to love an infinite number of dogs. I know that sounds incredibly cheesy, but I also think it is true!

I think you should get him.
The centre obviously think you are the perfect home for him, you should be proud of that, it’s quite a compliment.
He obviously is in need of the love & care you can give him & you really shouldn’t think of him replacing your beautiful old boy. He still has a huge place in your heart & always will have, he’s just budged over a bit to make room fir the new little one who is so desperate in need of a home like you can offer.
I promise you won’t regret it. Take this from someone who has loved, lost & grown to love again dozens of dogs over the years.