Another dog for us?

Honey, if your heart is aching for another dog, then go get one.  April would be so honored that you've given another little one a loving home....she'll be up there at the Bridge doing flippy floppy tumbles, she'll be so tickled.

I'm not going to try to invalidate your feelings by saying that you "shouldn't" feel what you feel.......but, you did everything humanly possible for April, and when nothing helped, you loved her enough to let her go humanely and with dignity.  Releasing her from her pain was THE ultimate act of love.

We all have our own time tables for bringing home another pup.  And you have to follow your heart and do what's right for you.  If your heart is telling you to get another pup, well, get your shoes on!

There is no rock-solid time frame for when you should get another (or if you should) dog.  It's a very personal decision.  For some, even seeing another dog would be to much heartache, but for others it is soothing.  My opinion is, that if you feel that you will be able to love a new dog and not resent it b/c April is gone, then it's an ok thing to do.  And it wouldn't be disrepecting April at all.  April opened part of your heart to loving a dog and will understand that place needs to be filled again, and I'm sure that she only wants you to be happy.

I understand the silence of the house when you lose a dog.  My family went through it last year and the year before.  The silence and loneliness is enough to drive you up the walls.  Only you can decide when it is time.  But whenever you feel that time is there, you should go for it.  I am sure April would be so happy to know that you are still sharing your love, like she always knows you do.

Not only do I think it would be 'ok' with April, but my guess is she's up there worrying a bit about "nobuddy is taking care of MOM!!!" -- they worry more about leaving us alone than by their own discomfort in those final hours. 

What everyone above has said is right -- it's a personal decision, and there is no 'wrong' timeframe.

Don't jump to do anything ... you've learned a lot on here and you know how important picking a good breeder is if you're going to go the puppy/purebreed way.  You may have to (you honestly probably should have to) *wait* for a puppy from an excellent breeder.  So go ahead and begin your search.

Breed rescue is full this time of year so if you want a pup right away, you can make the decision on what 'age' pup you want to get and go that route.  Being settled and home all day -- you, my friend, are a dream to adopt to!! Go for it!

 

I'm with you. It's a very personal decision, if your heart tells you it's time and it's OK, I'm not the one to say no. And I'm sure little April will be pleased. She received so much love... is good you want to share that with another doggie.

When we lost our first dog to IMHA unexpectedly, the house was unbearably quiet. As in your situation, our 3 kitties were a great comfort, but couldn't replace the dog energy. DH travels a bit and I never realized until she was gone just what a great companion and friend Aggie was. After a month we decided to adopt a puppy, even though DH admittedly wasn't fully ready. (He agreed because of how depressed I was) Neither one of us have any regret about the timing of adopting Bodhi. Of course it wasn't until after we got the puppy that we realized just how much work puppies are! He has actually turned out to be my dog of a lifetime. I guess what I am trying to say is that there is no "right time frame". I am sure that April would want you to have another canine companion - without you feeling bad or guilty about missing her. Maybe if you just "Look" around - breeders, rescue, etc. you may get some clarity in your heart as to what you need. Good luck, i know you'll keep us posted.

I think everyone who has gotten another dog after loosing their beloved pup understands your conflicting feelings.  However, I veiw getting another dog as a tribute to the pup that has gone.  Every basenji that I have now (3) is a tribute to the first one, now gone.  My first taught me my life is really incomplete without a basenji (or three).  April won't mind and you're not trying to replace her.  Every dog person out there knows that.

After we lost our first dog Ananda I really felt like I wasn't ready and wasn't going to be ready for a long time. But my husband felt differently and I knew how much his heart was aching after Ananda died, I couldn't say no to just going to the pound and looking. Conrad was in the exact same cage (and this is a huge tri-county pound with literally hundreds of dogs) as we had found Ananda in the year before. He only had a day or two left to live and was literally on "death row". We couldn't say no and I felt that it was sort of meant to be. As soon as we brought him home, I started to feel that sadness lift and I knew it had been the right decision.  If it had been up to me we would have waited and then we wouldn't have Conrad. It's a really personal decision everyone has to make, but for us, not waiting too long was the right decision.

agilebasenji

 However, I veiw getting another dog as a tribute to the pup that has gone. 

 

Absolutely. The part of you that longs for another dog does so because April showed you how special it is to have a dog companion. She gave you a gift, and I suspect she expects you to use it.  

You can't "replace" April, but you can fill a void! April wants you to be happy, she knows how much love you have to give she wouldn't want you to not love another pup.  

I agree with what everyone else said. We all know you're not trying to "replace" April. It might take a while to find a dog (either through a breeder or shelter), so even if you don't think you're 100% ready, you can always start looking. You'll know when the right dog comes along.

Go get another puppers!...But one catch...Ya gotta post pics LOL.......

So sorry to hear about April. I lost my cat Buster by a car. He was 14 1/2 yrs. I have 2 other cats and one dog. I think once our grieving has lessened and some time goes by...you will know if you are ready for a nice puppy. A middle aged rescue dag may be a nice answer as well. WHen my aunt passed last year, she had a very nice dog that needed a home She was very good. I asked around and found her a good home. I also found out that their are many nice dogs at the local humane societies with good dogs for the home. Good luck.

 I agree. If you need a new friend, and you're ready to share your home, again, do it! If I didn't still have Emma, I'd probably have another dog already. I just can't live without one.