When a pet dies, do you get a new one or wait a while?
 

Just curious...

would it be better to get a new one right away

or

wait a while?

It's been five years so far and everything seems to be working fine. I'll probably give it another five at least.

I normally celebrate , throw a keg party and do a little jig. Animals suck !

Never get another one.

It depends on how many meals we get out of the old one.

I recommend having the one that is on its way out taken to a taxidermist and having it stuffed or whatever they call it. Best of both worlds.......still have the pet without the hassle.

Plus then you can still throw it at black guys in your house and yell "BAD GUYS"!

It's better to get a new one immediately. How would the laundry get done around here?

Beat me to it. I was gonna say, "Once a bitch is out of the house, enjoy the solitude for a while because your new one will take up most of your free time and money... wait, did you mean a dog or a wife?"

thanks

was looking for a real answer

Depends if it was expected no big deal go ahead, if it was sudden I would wait a bit. Most shelters do some checking before letting someone adopt, you could get that process started now till you are ready.

I'd wait. The new pet won't be able to live up to expectations. It will constantly be compared to the old pet. Wait a little while.

After Gonzo and I lost our beloved birddog, I began crusiing craigslist searching the pets section. I still do it, (knowing damn well that Gonzo doesn't want any dog other than an AKC reg. Brittany). I think the reason I do this is because I feel there is a void in my life without a dog and seeing dogs on craigslist comforts me in a way. On the other hand, it's a bit depressing to see all those pets up there and feeling like you can't help them.

It really depends on you. Are you wanting to take on a pup right away? They are a lot of work and you need to be up for it. No advice helps in a situation like this~

In 1996, the first wife and I lost a 10 month old Dalmatian to leukemia. We went out and got another dog pretty much right away. When I had to have my ferrets put down I didn't even think about getting another one.

Much like Lumpy said earlier, I love dogs and I can't imagine not owning one. When my dogs are no longer with us, I can see the wife and I getting another dog pretty quickly.

I don't believe she said what type of pet. In any case, I would wait a few weeks. But I know I would definitely be wanting a new one soon. Then again, everyone is different and everyone takes a different amount of time to mourn the loss.

When we had to put Nikki, our Siberian Husky down in 1998 (severe kidney issues) we decided, "no more....we ain't going through that again". Less than two weeks one of the gals the wife knew through work mentioned something about having to get rid of one of their Huskies (not puppies, 5 years old) since they were fighting (two females). Wife went to look at them and ended up bringing Sarah home.
She died in 2005, but never regretted it.

I guess that's the long version of what Lzen said: It depends on what is right for your family. Only you can decide that.

Personally, I think it's good to get a new one soon. Doesn't diminish the feelings you had for the old one, and helps you get past the grieving faster.

I have 2 dogs. One is getting older and closer to the end of her life. Right now, she has a hard time making it outside to pee sometimes, so she ends up doing it on the floor. Makes me mad, I swat her and say I'll never have another dog.....but I know damn well that I'll be getting another puppy. They are a lot of work and can ruin floors, but I love having dogs around.

I think it depends on your personality. When I lost Max, my first dog I had that was mine as an adult I was heartbroken. I swore I'd never get another dog, as it wouldn't be fair to him or me. He was so awesome, though he was quite a trouble maker...

My parents surprised me with a puppy for Christmas, which was only 2 months after I lost Max. I was a little upset at first, but now it is by far the greatest gift they've ever given me. Otis is amazing, and having him really helped fill the void of losing Max.

I will be so crushed when Otis dies, but I think knowing what I do now, I will get another puppy pretty quickly. Puppies are a ton of work, but once you get them trained and they get to be a couple years old, nothing is better.

Just remember to be patient with the new pet. Unless it's a cat, they are sort of like having plants, no training required, but no real affection either.

When my cat dies, I am not getting another one. I find as I get older that I like dogs much, much more than cats.

God I get sick of ignorant shit like this. We have three cats, all of which are affectionate. One of them waits for me to get home at night, follows me from room to room, comes when I call him (every time), and likes water. Another is so completely attached to me that she gets pissed off and pouts if I leave the house. You have to take the time to build a relationship with a cat, it won't simply automatically like you the way a dog does. If you do this, a cat will almost always respond to you.

Will a cat fetch your slippers? No. But you won't have to walk it five times a day, either.

+1
I don't get people who are either a cat person or a dog person. Why does it have to be an "either" proposition? I find that to be a flaw in the human, not the pet species.

The main thing is most cats don't warm up to strangers, which is why I think they get a bad rep. If you come to my house, you won't see my cats; they'll hide until you're gone. I wish they were friendly with strangers like they are with us, but they just aren't. Only people who are over frequently will see them.

I haven't had a dog in 3 years. So I guess you could say I've waited. I think it's weird to immediately replace a pet after one dies. But, to each his own.

gotta wait awhile unless you get a completely different kind of pet

My Airedale Maggie died three years ago. She was an abused rescue dog that I got when she was 18 months. Turned into the best dog ever. I think I'm ready for another but it took this long.

I agree, we have always regretted it when we get a new one immediately after losing a loved pet.

Cats and doilies.

You are just a crazy old lady, aren't you?

Says the man who collects hog semen.

Lost my ole Boog dog couple years ago this weekend .. family got me my bulldog in october that year .. he's not like Boog but he's still a neat dog ....

To be fair, I've never really had a cat that I have tried to like/get attached to. Every cat I've been around jumps in my lap and drives me crazy, or digs it's razor sharp (and probably filthy) claws into my leg, tries to trip me by running in between my legs.

I know people love and are attached to cats, didn't mean to be insensitive.

My dog loves to go drink a huge amount of water, then put his dripping wet jowls in my lap to be petted, he also sheds quite a bit. He's not perfect. If he wants attention and I'm busy, I can tell him to go lay down and he will. Cat's don't seem to listen like that.

If you lose your dog you replace it right away. Who gives a shit if its a cat though.

I had 6 outdoor cats growing up. (lived in the country) They were amazing animals and very affectionate. Loved our family and followed us around when we were outside. That being said I am a dog person. I had an unbelievable half lab/border collie that was smarter than I was. I taught her to retrieve me beer from the fridge. (seriously what more could you ask for :D) After she got hit by a car I thought I would never own another dog. However, my sister drug me to the humane society and I ended up with my current dog molly. She didnt replace my first dog but helped ease the greiving process. I now own 2 dogs and plan on owning that many till I die. When one passes away I will just get another pup. Why sit around and mourn your dog when you can spend that energy on some poor animal that needs a home. Just my two cents.

ive had many good ones. If i lost my once in a lifetime dog id be crushed. Id give it as long as it took to find another one.

Let me sum that up. A cat is more like your girlfriend or wife. A dog is more like your buddy.

If you do get another one soon; Don't feel guilty. You shouldn't. You provided a good home. Took it to the doctor. Fed it everyday and loved it dearly.

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=230334


We took him for every appointment. Had just registered him for his AKC and even took him to Sonic for cheeseburgers after every shot. Sometimes we took him for icecream.

If I lived out in the country and around people who could take care of them, I'd have dogs. I like dogs. They're just a giant ****ing pain in the ass if you live in a place like I do (townhome community), and a pain I'm just not going to deal with. I can put out extra food leave the cats alone for a weekend. Try that with a dog. Coming in and filling up a food bowl or taking five minutes to scoop out a litterbox is one thing. Taking care of a dog is an entirely different thing. You've got to get somebody to show up to walk them multiple times a day, and I don't know anybody in my area who'll do that - at least not for free. I don't want to be a slave to my pet - I know people who plan their lives around how to care for dogs. It's crazy.

But the bottom line is, to each their own. I don't care your pet is a dog or a cat or a 20 foot snake, it's your business. I just get tired of people going all CoMo****tard every time somebody mentions cats. If my cats were shitty to me, I wouldn't have them as pets. Doesn't matter if they're affectionate to other people or not.

Amen Frazod. Didn't mean to be a dick. I'd never harm a cat, I just don't have much use for them personally.

I've got a cat as well. Well....it's more my wife's cat than mine. It pretty much stays outside. But, when I sit out on my front porch to read, my cat will come up and lay on my lap. I don't necessarily mind cats, but I won't have another one. My crazy ass neighbor with their 5 cats put an end to that.

You really shouldn't let your crazy ass neighbor have that sort of sway over you.

Well, it's more the cats then those dumbass people. Their cats roam free - like mine - but they spend the nights apparently sleeping in our flowers....which pisses me off.

Can't really blame the pet for irresponsible owners. Same with a nasty, biting dog.

Given all of your drama and health issues, i'd think a new pet would be the last thing you need right now.

Gee thanks....

actually, Max helped me a lot just by his presence.

All my pets now live in a fish tank.

If they die I flush then replace them...

We've done both. Neither is the 'right' thing to do. You will know when the time is 'right.'

Anyone in need of a friendly lovable cat?

Shes been spayed and front declawed.

I disagree. Pets have been proven to release stress, blood pressure. Of course you have to like animals to get the enjoyment unlike those on here who express their distaste for our four legged friends.

I've had both dogs and cats growing up. Living on a farm, I've actually had quite a few different species of animals around, horses, goats, rabbits.

As for the dogs and cats the majority were from assholes who dumped them up and down our country road. All have turned out to be great pets with unconditional love.

The curse has been the country road though. I've buried countless animals because they ventured out and got hit by passing cars. Before too long, there will be another stray finding their way to my front porch and they'll be loved like the rest.