I don't know if I'm ready for a new dog

When it's time for a new dog, you just know.  After my Sandee was killed, I vowed that I would not have another dog until my other dog, Chyna's leg was healed (at least 6 months).  Then Bevo was brought into my clinic for euthanasia (only 2 months into my hiatus) and I was in love with him instantly, & was hellbent on bringing him home with me.  The dog was right, & the timing was right. You'll just know when the time is right.

Yes, in my experience your heart will tell you when it's time.  Sometimes gently, or as in my case, rather rudely.....but, your heart will guide you.

I agree with Glenda, your heart is going to tell you. DH and I had been looking for over a year to add another dog to the household, but when Babe got so sick we looked and checked out breeders but decided to wait, she deserved our undivided attention.
 
Since we had done so much homework before hand it was easy enough to find a pup, our choice at the time was now or wait till spring to bring the pup home. I was all for waiting but so many things happened all at once, my sister was determined to get us one for Christmas, the breeder we did like turned out to be not for us after actually looking at her operation( and channeling some Glenda wisdom). So I was getting prepared to wait until spring when this awesome opportunity presented itself to us. I to this day believe it was fate and something else at work that brought us to Kord.
 
Good luck.
Dawn

Yes, I agree, you'll know.  When I lost my girl of 17 years, Emily, I knew she was not going to live a lot longer.  I had been at the shelter before seh was even sick, thinking it might be nice to have two dogs since she loved dogs.  It turned out I adopted my new girl, Isis, the same day I had to put my sweet Emily down.  It was actually the best thing that could have happened.  My grief was no less, but I had an awful lot of joy between.  Everyone is different in their grieving process.  Winnie will be happy for you when you're ready.

Oh my...I just learned that the 3 yr old (which is the one tugging at me) has a littermate who went to Westminster.  Just tugs a little more...

You know, maybe we could help you with this decision if you had some photos of the 3y/o puppers.  []

What would Winnie want you to do? I'm sure she wouldnt think you were trying to replace her but maybe offer your love and caring to another dog. I've said it before and I'll say it again.......
"not every person needs a dog but every dog needs a person"
But it sounds like your doing the right thing, taking it slow and taking everything into consideration, just dont let your sadness keep you from helping other puppy souls! You could be just the light they neede in their life and visa versa!

Sorry for the delay, but I had to figure out how to save an email pic.  Here she is...

ORIGINAL: marty_ga

Oh my...I just learned that the 3 yr old (which is the one tugging at me) has a littermate who went to Westminster.  Just tugs a little more...

Marty, it's a hard decision but I also believe your heart will guide you.  Even though your heart may feel like it's breaking all over again wondering what Winnie would think of the newest addition.  After FeFe passed we were all a mess (Gracie included).   Here's my experience:

We started looking online for our possible new furkid and found out (by looking at Petfinder) Fe was actually looking more a Shih Tzu mix instead of what she was labeled a long time ago, a cockapoo.  It brought us a little excitement - looking at all of these dogs that looked so similar to her.  I guess the only thing that lifted our spirits a bit was the fact that we'd be helping a dog that nobody else wanted with a bonus that it might help us heal emotionally.  All the applications were too little too late... then my mother called our groomer for info and it just so happened that a stray was found months earlier and was spending her time outside in a kennel, separated from the other dogs because they were trying to fight her & she wouldn't fight back. 

Our first meeting, she licked my nose.  Something FeFe always did when I'd ask her for sugars.  I took the little doggy to our house so DH could tell me his thoughts and first thing... she jumped up on the couch and licked his nose too.  I felt it was a sign to take her but at the same time felt guilty for even thinking of bringing another dog to FeFe's house.  The groomer cleaned her up for free (she was a total mess - wood chips stuck in her matted fur and stinkin' to high Heaven lol).  We took her home, planning for it to be a 'trial period' and she's been with us since then.  I felt guilty at times for laughing or smiling at this new furball... but eventually, I came to terms with it... that Fe would want us happy and that we did all we could do to help Fe & make her life a happy one. 

BTW, FeFe even found a way from The Bridge to show she was still the boss.  The next morning we heard a little bark & found Trixie standing on a cover at the bottom of our pool (it was drained for winter but there was still at least 2 feet of water in it).  First thing DH said was "betcha Fe pushed her in".  [] 

ORIGINAL: marty_ga

Sorry for the delay, but I had to figure out how to save an email pic.  Here she is...

 
OMG - my heart just skipped a beat.... I think that tugging feeling you have is right!