Feeling guilty about new pup

lola2707 · 2026-05-22T17:57:17+00:00

We sadly lost our beloved beagle a couple of weeks ago after 11 years together. We have got 2 children and miss having her around so much. We’ve just put a deposit down on an 8 week old pup. Whilst we are excited for the new addition, I keep feeling waves of guilt. Has anyone else experienced this?

RaininSummer · 22/05/2026 19:00

Yes but reframe it as a huge tribute to your previous dog. Sorry for your loss. We just lost our 14 year old collie cross and the house feels so empty

Original poster

lola2707 · 22/05/2026 19:02

Ah it’s awful isn’t it. I’m sorry for your loss too. 14 was a fantastic age

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raisinglittlepeople12 · 22/05/2026 19:04

Do you feel like it’s too soon? What do you think is causing the guilt? Getting a new dog after a loss is always an emotional rollercoaster.

Original poster

lola2707 · 22/05/2026 19:07

I just feel guilty that she’s not here anymore. I think if we did it in a year or so I’d still feel guilt. She was such a massive part of our lives ☺️

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Fraudornot · 22/05/2026 19:08

We couldn’t get another dog and my husband still can’t bear to get another one. It’s ok to say it is too soon xx

Tumbler777 · 22/05/2026 19:20

Nothing to feel guilty about but a puppy is a very different animal from an old dog that fits into the family perfectly. I had what I gather is called puppy blues, suddenly couldn't expect to sleep all night, felt guilty if i left the house without her and you can probably expect some damage. On the plus side it was her third birthday a couple of days ago and i love her to bits.

To really get to a useful point, maybe you would be better rescuing a slightly older dog that's got over the whining and grinding and biting everything stage!

Original poster

lola2707 · 22/05/2026 19:24

Tumbler777 · 22/05/2026 19:20

Nothing to feel guilty about but a puppy is a very different animal from an old dog that fits into the family perfectly. I had what I gather is called puppy blues, suddenly couldn't expect to sleep all night, felt guilty if i left the house without her and you can probably expect some damage. On the plus side it was her third birthday a couple of days ago and i love her to bits.

To really get to a useful point, maybe you would be better rescuing a slightly older dog that's got over the whining and grinding and biting everything stage!

thank you. Yes I know we will love her as much as we did our older dog. We did try and get a rescue but because of the age of children, they wouldn’t let us.

what breed of dog do you have 😊

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55notout · 22/05/2026 19:46

Ahhh beagles are awesome! I have never felt guilt about having another dog. They’re such a huge part of our lives. Everything revolves around them (cars, jobs, holidays) so it’s just like having more than one child. Nobody is being replaced. Your heart just expands.

hawthorneflower · 22/05/2026 19:55

I get you. I was absolutely devastated when I lost my dog a few years ago and the thought of ever loving another dog was out of the question.

I now have another dog and it turns out there is more than enough love for them both. They are both so different in their characters and it really has taught me that there is no limit to our capacity to love- it just expands and expands whenever its needed, which is really rather beautiful.

Sometimes I see my old dog in the facial expressions of my current dog and thats just so lovely - its like i've been given another chance to catch little glimpses of her in spirit.

You have absolutely no need to feel guilty- you loved your dog so much that you want to give the gift of a home to a new dog who needs it. Thats beautiful and nothing to feel ashamed about, in fact, its a testament to the strength of your love and how much it seeks to express itself x

Tumbler777 · 22/05/2026 20:37

I have a cavapooo, called Bella. Lovable and loved. Can't walk far along the street without people saying "aren't you beautiful". Welcome in every cafe, pub and shop except Weatherspoons! Makes new friends whenever we go to the park. However, want's to stay home .. I have to crawl under the table and offer her a treat to come for a walk! Ok, I guess you can see that I love her very much, but it was really difficult to start with, all of my freedom went .. my fault not hers.

Original poster

lola2707 · 22/05/2026 21:02

hawthorneflower · 22/05/2026 19:55

I get you. I was absolutely devastated when I lost my dog a few years ago and the thought of ever loving another dog was out of the question.

I now have another dog and it turns out there is more than enough love for them both. They are both so different in their characters and it really has taught me that there is no limit to our capacity to love- it just expands and expands whenever its needed, which is really rather beautiful.

Sometimes I see my old dog in the facial expressions of my current dog and thats just so lovely - its like i've been given another chance to catch little glimpses of her in spirit.

You have absolutely no need to feel guilty- you loved your dog so much that you want to give the gift of a home to a new dog who needs it. Thats beautiful and nothing to feel ashamed about, in fact, its a testament to the strength of your love and how much it seeks to express itself x

Aww thank you. That’s a lovely way to look at it. I’m sure once we’ve got her home I’ll feel different…a 4 year old and 1 year plus a pup…we are going to be busy 🤣

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Original poster

lola2707 · 22/05/2026 21:02

Tumbler777 · 22/05/2026 20:37

I have a cavapooo, called Bella. Lovable and loved. Can't walk far along the street without people saying "aren't you beautiful". Welcome in every cafe, pub and shop except Weatherspoons! Makes new friends whenever we go to the park. However, want's to stay home .. I have to crawl under the table and offer her a treat to come for a walk! Ok, I guess you can see that I love her very much, but it was really difficult to start with, all of my freedom went .. my fault not hers.

aww she sounds lovely. Our beagle used to pull to come home on a walk 🤣

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missspent · 22/05/2026 21:04

I got a new puppy as soon as my last dog died. I can’t be without a dog and there were no rescues available as it was still Covid. The happiness of a puppy does help to fill the void

Original poster

lola2707 · 22/05/2026 22:16

missspent · 22/05/2026 21:04

I got a new puppy as soon as my last dog died. I can’t be without a dog and there were no rescues available as it was still Covid. The happiness of a puppy does help to fill the void

Aww, what breed do you have? Any tips on toilet training? 😊

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zobalina77 · 22/05/2026 22:17

We also went to look at a puppy 2 weeks after losing our Barney last year and brought him home 2 weeks after that. The house was so still without a dog in it, it felt like the house was grieving along with us. He's 9 months old now and the best thing we could've done. Same breed, though Barney was a staffy cross and Marley is full staff, but they are so very different. Barney was a very anxious and reactive dog, whereas Marley is so chilled with everything and rarely barks and so friendly.

I did want to take him back to the breeder a couple of times when he was tiny and bitey though, but we've made it through the other side!

missspent · 22/05/2026 22:20

lola2707 · 22/05/2026 22:16

Aww, what breed do you have? Any tips on toilet training? 😊

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Both white Boxers. My puppy is now 5. We still talk about our previous boy, but the puppy just helped with the pain.

House training top tip is always be alert. If they wake up, take them out. If they get up, take them out. If they stop playing, take them out. After every meal, outside. You literally have to watch them constantly, but it is worth it