I'll Never Get Another Cat/Dog

[SoDesuKa]

A lot of people get so hurt when their companion animal dies that they vow they'll never let it happen again. While this attitude is understandable, I think it deprives people of the joy that a household animal brings, and it deprives an animal of a loving home.

Yes, it's sad when a companion animal dies. But domestic animals don't have long life spans. Death is natural. It shouldn't make you give up the idea of partnering with an animal for your mutual benefit. If your dog dies, get another one.

[hibbing]

1. but wait

Howdy, I agree that someone should get another companion
animal, but only after having a good grieving period. When
my wonderful Fergie died, some people were like, well go get
another cat! Uh....it's not like going out to buy a pair of socks.
It took me well over a year before I was ready to get another
cat. But to each his/her own

Peace

[RevCheesehead]

10. I completely agree.

By filling the void too quickly, you deny the chance to work through your grief.

My Roo died 3 months ago. (My Lord, is it really that long ago?). I still have the 2 girls (cats), but we're going through our own mourning period.

When the right one comes along, we'll know.

Binky and Roo:

[SoDesuKa]

16. Roo

I can see why you miss Roo - he's a beautiful cat. It looks like he knows he's getting his picture taken. People think cats don't smile, but just look at that face!

[alittlelark]

2. I have had 4 die, I will continue adopting others until I die.

The first one (or the 'special one') to leave you hurts horribly. The pain is but a pittance compared to the joy you were given. They live happy -and hopefully- long lives with a loving owner.

That's just exactly what they want and need.

[driver8]

12. Me too...I will always have one or two dogs in my life. They

add so much to a home and a family. I had to put my dog, Cody, down 2 months ago. After two weeks, I told my wife "the house is too empty...we need to adopt a dog." We found a great dog at the shelter that loves our kids and he is now a member of our family.

I think Cody would approve.

[alittlelark]

13. My 'lost loves' would approve of our additions as well

I wish they had longer lives....

[friesianrider]

15. You hit the nail on the head...

"The pain is but a pittance compared to the joy you were given."

Very, very true :)

[blue sky at night]

3. i agree.........

having to love, care for and then watch die is one of life's great lessons. All children should learn these lessons early in life, especially the loving and caring. I understand many serial killers started out abusing animals...perhaps if they had learned to love them first, we wouldn't have so many victims.

[hyphenate]

17. One of the good things to come out of the prison

system is to offer prisoners who have abused animals a chance to redeem themselves on this score.

Many prisons are beginning pet therapy, allowing prisoners to help groom animals, work out community service on farms and in pounds, and to help vets with animals on a regular basis. It has been miraculous in some instances. I don't know how many people watched "Miracle Pets" while it was on Pax TV, but I believe Animal Planet now runs some reruns. The stories they tell on this subject show vast improvement in sociability, empathy and caring on the part of the prisoners who are involved in these programs. The show shows programs in both the U.S. and Canada, and it's really heartening to see.

[blue sky at night]

22. thanks for the reply........

what a great thing that is when a person can turn themselves around because of the love from a small animal. I always recommend a pet for kids..........to all young parents I meet. Thanks!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

4. I totally agree

Dogs and cats don't have the life expectancy of a human. They are probably going to die before you do, but the love and joy they provide is worth the grief when they die. Hey, we're all gonna die. Get over it! If you want something that will outlive you, get a parrot. Then, the bird can suffer when you die and you don't have to deal with the inevitable. Chicken shit!

[napi21]

5. You're right, sort of.

I've been through this many times. Each time, I say I miss XXXX so much, and no other dog can ever replace XXXX. It does hurt a lot, and we don't want to endure it again. But in a few months, when I see some other doggies, and pet them and say HI, I change my mind. All of my dogs have lived to 15-18 years, and that's a long time and a strong friendship is very hard to replace. My dear babies. that I got when they were 10 weeks old are now 13 & 15 years old. I know the day when I won't have them anymore will come, and sooner than I want it to. I know I will need time to grieve, but the joy of haveing a dog in my life is so important, I know I will have another one day.

[Jamastiene]

6. I've said that before. I have three cats now. I can't live without them,

at least not happily.

[miss_kitty]

7. Some people need to wait

others need to get a new one right away. Others wait to be chosen, so the time between pets varies.

[caty]

8. Toby died

three weeks before his 17th birthday. A Border Terrier--my little buddy. Kaly died at 13yrs. old. The sweetest Beagle in the world. I felt like I never wanted another pet. I just couldn't stand the heartbreak. But, now we have 3 cats and they have brought us a lot of joy. And we give them a good, safe, healthy, loving lifetime.

[madmax]

9. I completely agree

My Yorkie Nicky was 5 when I decided to get another Yorkie - Emily. I loved them so much - like children. Nicky lived to be 18 and reach the point that he just wanted to die, no major complications just old and tired. I took him to the vet and he went to sleep. I buried him in my son's yard and cried for a month.

Still we had Emily for another 6 months. Then she too began to fail at the age of 13 and the vet recommended the shot.

The house was so empty and lonely without a little fur baby to greet you when you come home and cuddle with you for no reason.

Within 2 weeks I had another fur baby Yorkie pup named Max. He's now 3 years old. Although he's not Nicky or Emily he's ...well he's Max and he has his own personality and I love them all. The heartbreak will subside and you'll remember the good times. I will always have a dog or two until I die.

[caty]

11. I've had pets

all my life. It just doesn't seem like home without one.

[friesianrider]

14. I agree. So many wonderful pets being killed everyday...

in shelters across this country - 8 million every year.

It is hard, I know, but the love from a pet is beyond words. I would encourage any good, responsible home to adopt another furry friend! :)

[SoDesuKa]

18. Hold Back a Little

People can learn not to get so attached to an animal that they can't accept its death at the end of its natural life. There's no tragedy in saying good-bye to a friend. Yes, you can mourn, but don't let your grief overtake you so that you won't have another companion animal. That doesn't work for anyone.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

19. This happened to my mom. She loved our Pekingese, Cookie, so much...

She never got over when Cookie died and was never able to have another pet.

[RebelOne]

20. I spoil my dogs rotten. I feel that since that have such

a short time here that we should make them as happy as possible. That way when they do pass on, you will know that you gave them a good life.

[ScreamingMeemie]

21. I really think it depends...some people suffer severe depression

after the loss of a pet. When my brother lost Zeke...his companion for almost 15 years, he was devastated. In his mind there will never be another Zeke, and, also in his mind, he doesn't want to attempt to build that bond again.. I really think it depends. :hi:

[CornField]

23. Right after Wendy died, I would not have been a good pet owner

Wendy:



Right after she died, I no longer found joy in the things we did together. Many of the venues she and I loved going to were too full of memories for me to visit.

While bringing another dog into our household at that time may have helped heal the hole in our own heart, it would have been a disservice to the dog.

While I'll agree that people need to leave themselves open to what may be around the corner, I also firmly believe they need to take whatever time is necessary to say goodbye to their friend & family-member.