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New Doggy To Love Or Not?

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CharlieBoy

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Hello everyone. I'm new here and wanted to ask the opinion of fellow dog lovers.

We have very recently lost our beloved, beautiful boy, Charlie, a Cocker Spaniel, who was part of our family for over nine years. I am devastated and miss him dearly - I loved being his 'mummy'!

Three months ago we rehomed a lovely 3 year old Westie girl from Battersea and she's settled into our family very well. Even though we've only had her three months, she also misses Charlie - she has lived with other dogs all her life.

I really want to get another Cocker Spaniel - not in any way to try to replace Charlie (that would be impossible and I wouldn't want to try to), but to give a loving home to another Cocker and help us all to heal the pain of losing our boy.

My question is, do other dog lovers think that it's never "too soon" to give a loving home to another dog after the utter sadness of losing one?

Also, does anyone out there have a female Westie and a female Cocker Spaniel? I'm wondering if two females are likely to get along ok, although I believe that, generally, male/female combinations are more likely to be better.

Thank you.
 
If you are thinking of taking on another wee soul in need of a home,surely that is and indication that ''the time is right" for you......? Go and see what there is waiting for a home - you might find the right dog - it might not necessarily be a Cocker.............the right dog will come along at the right time. Good Luck!
 
I personally believe that it's never too soon or too long. It's what you feel is right for you. You will always miss your Charlie, as we miss our Chelsea who we lost a couple of months ago. I cannot imagine how I'd have got through without our other dogs to love. If your girl is missing a companion, and you feel your heart would benefit from having another dog to love, then by all means, it's the right time.

best of luck in finding your right dog. No one will replace Charlie, but it will give you another dog to share that love with.

Wendy
 
Thank you very much Wendy and TTT. I don't want to feel like I'm being 'disloyal' to Charlie and he will always be so special to us, but I do feel that another dog to love would be good for us. Wendy, I was sorry to read about your Chelsea.

I'm going to register with some rescue centres and see what happens.

I want to avoid any problems with Lizzie, our Westie, so I'm thinking maybe we should look for a boy.

Thank you!
 
I don't believe it's disloyal to get another dog, in fact just the opposite. I believe if we have been so lucky to have loved and been loved by one of these amazing creatures it would be disloyal to be so affected by their loss that we never opened up to loving another dog again. That would be the ultimate tragedy.

The pain and grief I have experienced over Chelsea caught me totally by surprise. I knew it would be hard but this has been so much harder. Having said that, as difficult as it is to not have her in my life it's worse to imagine never having had her, and from what you write I believe you feel much the same about your Charlie. The best way to honour the love that he taught you is to continue to share that love. It can be so tempting to want to shut down and say 'never again' but dogs don't live that way and they wouldn't want us to.

I think it's wonderful that you are looking to the needs of the girl you have left and opening your heart to the possibility of another. Charlie would be happy. I have no doubt he will help lead you and the right dog together.

Wendy
 
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Thank you Wendy. You've brought a lot of comfort. Particularly with your last sentence which has had a huge impact.

I think that when we can think of our lost doggies and smile about the funny things they did or how they followed us around everywhere, instead of crying and feeling that huge sense of loss, then that is when it will be getting easier. I hope it won't be too long before you feel that way about Chelsea. X
 
if you think you are ready go for it, me when i lost my last lurcher i just coudnt get one for 7 weeks as the way i lost her, but everyone is different, if you have the space and the love go get one.
 
CharlieBoy said:
Thank you Wendy. You've brought a lot of comfort. Particularly with your last sentence which has had a huge impact.

I think that when we can think of our lost doggies and smile about the funny things they did or how they followed us around everywhere, instead of crying and feeling that huge sense of loss, then that is when it will be getting easier. I hope it won't be too long before you feel that way about Chelsea. X
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Thanks. I'm there a lot of the time. It seems to be a bit easier each day, then out of the blue something hits me, but I think it will be like that for a long way to come. There's definitely more smiles than tears now.
 
Look at the whole picture.

How you feel about the extra work that will be involved having another dog around.

How your partner/family at home feels. If your remaining canine would benefit from a companion.

Extra costs etc.

If there are more ticks than crosses, then the timing is most def right for you and yours! :thumbsup:

And of course your Charlie, just like Chelsea and our Sam, and the many other previous pets we were privileged to own and love...they would be saying "go for it Mum! Give another dejected/rejected/confused/lonely canine a sofa to curl up on and a cuddle to look forward too!!" :huggles:

Keep us posted and very Good luck! :luck:

Sadie x
 
Hi Sadie, thanks for that and yes, there are ticks everywhere! I was worrying about feeling like I was being disloyal to Charlie but I now don't think that will be the case.

I'd really like a female (maybe it sounds very silly but I think I want Charlie to remain my special boy!) but as Lizzie our Westie is a girl I'm concerned that they won't get on as I've heard that same sex dogs can have issues. Anyway, I've registered with some rescue centres and will, of course, make sure Lizzie is tested with any other dog that we go to meet.

Thanks for the good luck wishes - I will keep you posted.

Kaz x
 
I've known people who just cannot bear their house empty and who need to have a dog around them as soon as possible (including leaving toys and beds around the house because they couldn't bear to put them away) and people who spent months after their dog died unable to even be around friends' dogs without getting very distressed. Neither of those responses are right or wrong, they are just people's natural responses.

If you're ready then you're ready- go for it :) I hope that you find the rescue dog that fits in your home and family soon.

Thank you for rescuing too :)
 
Thanks for your support :0)

Yesterday we adopted a lovely 2 year old golden cocker spaniel boy called Archie. He's settling in well and he and Lizzie seem to be ok (although they're sorting out a few little issues at the moment!)

Our Charlie will always be in our hearts but we're glad we could help Archie... and that Archie can help us! X
 
Oh great - please show us some pictures when you have time!
 
Oohh two year old Cocker...lovely! Hope you all have many fun times together! In Charlie's memory you have opened up your home and your heart, once again! :thumbsup:

Sadie x
 
That's great! You now have Archie, and I was going to say it was all up to you as to knowing when you are ready for another loveable dog. I was also going to tell you that it does not seem to matter about the same sex dogs. We have 4 male dogs, 2 chihuahua's, a bichon frise, and a lab/pitbull mix and they get along very well. They are like family, brothers to each other. They seem to look out for each other. It is so cool. Now when it comes to who is going to sit on my lap when I sit down at night to enjoy some tv, they all want to be on my lap, so I end up with a lap full of doggies. Except for the lab/pitbull he lays at my feet because he knows he is just too big to be my lapdog. At least I think he understands that, some times I wonder if he really knows why he is not allowed on my lap. I just do not have enough room on my lap for all 4, it's enough having the 3 small ones on my lap. LOL

I hope everything goes well for you with Archie, your new found love. ;-)
 
Well, I've tried to add a photo but can't!? :eek:O

:eek: (
 
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No error message but I copied the URL (seems to be the only option to add a photo?) but it just came up with the URL when I added the post, and not the photo. I'm on a MacBook; does that make a difference?

Thanks!
 
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