Our lovely Weimaraner died on 16th July and we were so devastated and are still doing things in the house as if he were still there. Watched that police dog programme last night and had to try and hold the tears back. But i cant stop wanting to get another now. Ive asked myself, do i want another dog? Or do i just want Bruno back? And i can honestly say i feel like its both. Is it wrong and heartless to want another one so soon? We also have an 8 yr old Westie who ive had since a pup and she looks so lonely now.

When my BC was PTS at 16 I was devestated. But I could not bear to not have a dog we lasted 8 weeks before we went searching for another dog friend. We were  NOT trying to replace him we are just a family who need a canine friend.

Sorry for your lose

Everyone is different, for me I would want another right away, with owning five now it doesn't apply as I will never again be dogless.  When I lost my first unexpectedly I had my Elka within a week, though had expected to have to wait longer, she just happened to be available.

It wasn't that I was trying to replace her, but to keep occupied with a new pup/dog for me lessened the pain, as to some extent the gaping hole in your daily life is filled.

If you got another dog would it be a Weimaraner? I think until you have given yourself some time to grieve then i would not think about getting another so soon, especially if its the same breed.

I can only give you advice from what i have seen, my fathers dog died in Nov, very sudden and not expected. By Jan/Feb he had another pup of the same breed. This pup was not in the slightest bit the same in personality as the one which was pts and from this i feel my father got him too soon and hasn't made any real effort to bond with this pup. I have had to put the work in and also press forward in making him take the pup out with him, its slowly working but all the same he keeps comparing the 2, which isn't a good sign.

Sorry I amended my post I missed out the vital "NOT" trying to replace him.

I would also add my BC was an old man and it was his time. When I had another young dog PTS because of illness it was an altogether different feeling of lose. We did wait a little longer but two boys going with in a few months was a very hard thing to take.

So sorry to hear the loss of youe beloved dog..i can only speak for myself and if i lost my dog i would want to get another asap, not to replace her but just because i can't the thought of not having one in the house..my dog was in the vets for 4 days earlier in the year and it was dreadful not having her here..the cottage was so empty without her.
If you want to get another go do it..only you can decide.
Best of luck in whatever you choose.
Annee :)

Thank you :) It wouldnt be another Weimaraner. We have been looking into lots of different breeds and information and if we were to get one it would either be a Spaniel of some sort or a Beagle. But we're still not sure yet. If we do get one, it wont be for a few months at the very least as we want to be sure on the breed etc. x

> i would want to get another asap, not to replace her but just because i can't the thought of not having one in the house

same here

For every dog we have ever lost, I have always said "I can't go through this again, so no more"   The longest we have ever been is three weeks before looking for another pup.  I find it so boring and clean without a dog in the house.  The one thing to remember is that you will never replace the one you have lost and that is not the reason for getting another pup, so there is no need to feel guilty Michelle.  I'll be 'watching this space' for future news!  :)  :)

Everyone is different. I waited for one whole year for various reasons, one being I wasn't ready and two that I had to wait for a dog that was the same lines as my previous dogs.
Some want a dog very quickly, some decide to wait. I'd say it's always up to how the individual is handling it.

Lindsay
x

> Everyone is different. I waited for one whole year for various reasons, one being I wasn't ready and two that I had to wait for a dog that was the same lines as my previous dogs.
> Some want a dog very quickly, some decide to wait. I'd say it's always up to how the individual is handling it.
>
> Lindsay
> x

Spot on Lindsay!  :)

No dog can ever be replaced, I always liken it to each dog I own makes an indentation on my heart..like in plasticine, another dog can help to fill the dent but will never quite fill it exactally the same, the new dog will fill the bigger space but each one has a slightly different outline and a few gaps always remain.
Not explained that very well but you probably get the gist of t??
Aileen

I REALLY like the way you described that Aileen.  Spot on. :-)

I would do what you feel is right in your heart. All our dogs have been different and I would hate to be dogless again. We were for 12 years between the boys being young teenagers and leaving home, but i have no intention of ever being without one again.

Perfectly explained your heart expands around the new dog but still have the space for the one that was lost.

Thanks everyone, i feel much better now. We have just spent ages looking on the internet on various websites of breed standards and information. I think the breed that we want the most is a Beagle (well its the one i want the most, and we will get one if i have my way with hubby ;) )and i am almost bursting with excitement inside that we may be getting one. Although not for a good few months because we have to save a bit of money as they do seem a bit expensive but we want one from a good line thats been tested and is KC registered and all that. Hubby even has a name for "him" "IF" we get one :) (still feeling guilty that im talking like this, but i know Bruno will never be replaced) x

Does anybody know anyone on here who owns a Beagle/s? So i can ask advice about the breed?

Whistler is right.  Something that Marianne said when I lost my Misty in June was -

I can imagine how empty your life must seem -but how full your heart is.

And that is so right, an emptiness for me needs filling.  But Misty's place in my heart will always be there.

When we lost Ned our GWP at four we were devastated we do have other dogs but you grieve just the same a series of coincidences led us to Gollie .
I went to see a friend at her boarding  kennels the week after Ned died I bent down to fasten my shoelace and looked up to see this gorgeous  big black face looking at me I asked what breed he was and they said  Giant Schnauzer   I asked if he was a nice breed to own they said he was the gentlest boy so when I got back from the boarding kennels I searched breeders and rang a well known one she had a litter we had to wait to see the litter as they could only be viewed at 4 weeks we then got to choose on the 6th week and collect on the 8th week we already had his name ready.
When I looked at his registration he was born the day that Ned passed away so it was meant to be.
Even though they are totally different breeds he often does things that Ned did so i like to think when he was born he caught a bit of Ned departing and yes he is the most gentle dog I have ever had.

I run a rescue also and I notice some need a dog straight away some want  to wait I always say go with your instinct as you will have alittle bit of your old dog there reminding you he is still around.

Sorry for your sad loss

No it is not wrong to want another dog so soon, you are not trying to replace the one you have lost, don't feel guilty about it, go with your instinct.  When I lost my first dog a few years ago I was devastated, heartbroken and couldn't believe he had gone, but I desperately needed another dog quite soon after, and within 2 and a half months had another puppy, and it helped me so much.  I'm sure it would help you and your Westie too x

Totally agree Perry with everything you have said. :-)

Sorry to hear you lost your beloved Bruno, it is incredibly hard and like any grieving process, people vary in how they deal with it and how long they wait before getting another dog - if ever getting another one.
There is no right or wrong, however, i would say think long and hard about what you get i.e breed of dog, age, and of course,do not get the first dog you spot however much you would love another canine companion in your home - it is important to check for the right pedigree or right dog for you from a rescue centre.
Please keep us updated :-)

I lost my 15 year old westie in may. I was heartbroken and wasnt going to replace her. We have Amy our Rough collie who is 6. Amy changed from a playful dog to a very sad looking dog. She wouldnt play when we took her walks she wanted home she went off her food. Shed lie on the sofa and just look. It was sad to watch. I knew in truth she missed her sister. I made the decision it was time for a puppy. We got a westie puppy 3 weeks ago. Amy loves the puppy and plays with her all the time. I will never forgt Rosie but this wee thing is making her own place. Amy is now much better and playing and chasing puppy Sophie. We forget our other dogs grieve too. They dont just have their own grief to contend with but the grief of the owner. Im glad i didnt continue waiting before getting a new puppy.
Jean

What a lovely post Jean..I am so happy for you that Amy is now a happier dog.

Annee