OH has got permisson to keep dog letter from our housing association and is into looking at other dogs in January. We agreed this after losing Morse, so why do I feel heartburn over it? I wake up early in the morning, have to drag my friends dogs out for walks etc he feels the same, so he thinks it would be good for me to have a dog about again. We agreed a young adult rescue and he feels back to the place we found Morse would be fine....I heard myself tell him he could make the arrangements and take it to training this time... I have told him how I feel but he thinks itll be fine.Cant imagine finding a dog as fun and loving as Morse or getting as close to one again. Is that normal?

Completely normal Lorelei. I don't think I've ever had a new puppy without having thoughts about the one I've lost. The only thing is, when the new one arrives they don't give you time to be sad. You say, "I'm not going to let this one get to mm, like the last one did." but we don't get any choice in that! Before we know it the young one has it's own place in our hearts.

Best wishes, John

Completely agree with John!
When we lost our first dog Pepper,I said I could never have another dog,I was totally devastated at losing her,although she lived to her 14th birthday a good age.
We half looked at ads for dogs and checked out the rescues,but I practically ran pass the kennels thinking if I don't make eye contact I won't feel 'obliged' to take one of these poor dogs home.
Then I was working out of our local area one day, I met with a lady who ran a dog walking/sitting service during my lunchbreak and in conversation I asked her if she knew of any rescues in her area,she asked what type of dog was I looking for and I replied anything with collie in it,she told me she bred border collies and had a litter due!
It was fate taking a hand,we went and met the 'mum to be' that weekend and I was smitten :D hence weeks later Spice came into our world and we have never looked back,she is my life.
I know she won't be here forever ,but we make the most of every day! Pepper isn't forgotten and she and Spice would have made great 'sisters' but it filled a huge gap in our lives.
Hope all goes well for you.
Jacqueline :)

Sounds perfectly normal to me - I rushed out to replace Harriet when we lost her 3 years ago - and although I didn't have a problem, Big Dave had a BIG problem bonding with Missy - although no he loves her to pieces, back then everything was a problem, simply because she wasn't easy going no problems Harriet :(

Of course your feelings are normal. You're still in mourning for Morse. The thing to remember is that any new dog isn't a 'replacement' for him - like all dogs, he was an individual who can never be replaced. Your next dog, whenever you feel ready for one, will not be the same as Morse. It will be another individual, who will remind you of Morse in some ways, but will do other things his own way. You won't be betraying Morse by loving another dog; Morse has his own special place in your heart, and your next dog will have his own place too.

Don't be rushed into getting another dog - you'll know when you're ready.
:)

Perfectly normal! Of course, no dog will ever replace Morse, but you know the love that you are capable of giving to a dog and I am sure that you will give another dog just as much love when you are ready :)

And that is the key, when you are ready. I always look upon getting another dog in these circumstances, like a broken love affair, only 100 times worse!!! To start with, you are very wary of getting involved, then once you bond and trust is built on both sides you start dropping your guard and then realise life does go on and how happy it can be. Sorry to ramble, but just an analogy :)

Good luck, but don't rush it :) I think life without a dog longterm, is very lonely and without purpose.

When we got libby, I was concerned that I would not love her in the same way I love Bree. I was beginning to think that getting a second dog was a mistake. However I love libby in a different way, as she is a different dog. Not any more or anyless than my old girl, just differently.

I'm, sure when you feel the time is right for another dog, it will have it's own place in your heart, as do your memories of Morse.

liberty

Oh my god, i'm so sorry, i didn't know you had lost morse! :-( Thats terrible. what were the circumstances, if you don't mind me asking.
Edited to add: I have found the thread now, i'm so sorry for your loss.

Its very hard when you lose a dog even though  Like us you may have others.
we lost Bobby on tuesday after 14 years  some weeks ago I had agreed to foster a little dog (we still have our others as well) well Barney was quite naughty when he came he kept messing in the house he is very elderly but when we lost Bobby I looked at Barney and thought if we dont take him on who will so we decided he could stay Our other dogs are labs and a GWP who we dote on but Bobby was a tiny maltese but full of character and a real toughie and we felt that Barney will not replace  Bobbie but could fill a space that Bobby had left.
I felt guilty as this little dog was here and Bobby had gone but then I though well we cant keep our dogs forever they have to leave us and this little chap has noone.
I hope you find a dog soon xxx but if you dont find the dog the dog will find you.

I would say follow your heart. You'll know when the time is right and when it's the right dog you will just find yourself saying "Yes"  without thinking about it. :)

No dog replaces another, somehow your heart just grows bigger to accomadate them all.

Karen