Yes, I have been exactly where you are. A year ago when our dog had to be put down, we had two people almost immediately offer to give us one of their dogs. I do know they meant well, but for us our dog was very special and we were not ready to replace him at that time. It just made us feel sad all over again.

We did get another dog eventually but he just sort of found us. We were not looking for him.

I assume it's just a few people doing this, not a lot of folks. I'd tell them "I"m just not ready, it's too soon..."

How about, in a kind voice, "every time we think about another dog, it just brings back the pain of losing Buddy. We're still grieving and not quite ready. We'll know when it's time."

The good thing is, you know they're doing it because they care.

Grieving is such an individual experience. I have always found the best way for me to add meaning to my lost pet's life was to rescue and love another.

I know what you mean. We lost our Jack on Jan. 13 of this year. It's a little better now. We have both said at weak points "do you think we should get another dog?"

We both miss our dog. We both miss having a dog. But it was sooooo hard when he got sick and died, I'm not anywhere near ready to do that again.

When the time is right for you, I think you will know it. It's not fair to you or another pet to get one before you're ready.

I'm sorry for your loss. Here's our boy....

Thanks everyone for your input.

Katlin, I know what you meant about your weak point conversation. George and I have both said that.

Like you, we're no where ready for another furry companion right now. Like everyone here has said, we'll know when it's time for another.

I had a friend who immediately adopted another pet just days after losing his and all he could do was say "so and so isn't like". After hearing that a couple of times I told him he wasn't being fair to the new animal. That's the way we feel now and the reason we want to wait.

I agree that you are the only one who will know when you are ready for another furry friend. We lost our Dreyfus several years ago and we still are not ready to commit to another one.

We are down from 3 to one pet now and my DH says no more. He is the one that has to handle the end of life stuff and he says he can not do it again ever. We just went though, something this month with our boy kitty, luckily it all worked out ok. We lost our girl kitty last year, so it is too much.

I know exactly how you feel, sometimes you just think there can never be another animal that will equal the one you lost, I am like that about my cat Garfield. I have not as of yet adopted another cat either. I do feed and water feral cats that turn up in the woods around us but I watch them from the windows. Just not ready.

Now when my wonderful Great Dane was near his time, he had lymphoma, I said it would be a long time before I got another dog. Especially another Dane, we have had many of them and they are just awesome animals.
But apparently God had a different plan! Because while my Dane was still alive we came home to find a tiny little dog sitting on the doormat. Well she won our hearts, she and the Dane were hilarious together talk about extremes in size. My vet said well that just goes to show you God has a sense of humor he only sent you a tiny dog because that's all you can handle right now.
We miss him with all our hearts but just don't know what we would have done with out the new little diva that has taken over our lives. We had never had a small dog! We had to learn all about that. But they loved each other so much in the short time they had together, we know there was some plan that brought her to us and him.

So sometimes you find them in very special ways or they are delivered to you. (It turned out she had heart worms and we had her treated saving her from that dreadful disease)

I so much identify with what all of you are saying. I've had three dogs, all big breeds. And each of them lived a very long time and had the best lives I could provide for them. They were my children! I lost the last one about 18 months ago.

Sure enough, people have advised me to get another pet and have listed all sorts of reasons why I should. But I'm no teenager and I don't have family; I worry that if I got another pet it would outlive me and have no one to care for it. So, get an older dog, they say. It's a thought, but honestly, I just don't want to go through all the old-age issues and end of life again. Whenever any of you lose a pet, believe me when I tell you, I grieve with you.

Still, I miss having a dog, I dream about having a dog. I find myself thinking about what sort of dog I'd like to have...

Your friends mean well, but I totally understand how you feel. I kept telling my well meaning family and friends that I would let them know when I was ready, but at that time another pet would not be what I needed in MY greiving process. A few didn't get it, but most did and left me alone. It took me 3 years to open my heart to another dog. My DH wanted/needed another dog right away, but thankfully was very patient with me.

AnnaKay, pet shelters NEED people like you as volunteers to help take care of the animals. You can get all the doggy loves you could ever expect and do something wonderful too!

We have a big old guy. I'm not sure just how old he is, but my bf got him from a shelter about 7 years ago, and he was told that Tucker was 8 or 9 THEN. This is my first big dog, he's part golden lab and......something. Bloodhound, saint Bernard...his head is at my hip when we stand together. Now, I thought big dogs didn't have as long a life span as smaller dogs, but Tucker is still a go getter...slower, but still goin. I DREAD when his time comes, and we have been preparing ourselves for it for the past year. When it does happen, I don't think we'll be getting another dog anytime soon.

jeaninwa I know what you mean about big dogs.

Our first dog Brutus was huge. When he stood on his back paws he stood over six foot tall. People thought he was ferocious looking at him, but he was a big pussycat. You could smack him along side the head (I never did before anyone thinks so) and he'd look at you like "Feel better now". He also didn't believe in barking unless it was absolutely necessary. When he did it came from the rear and by the time it came out of his mouth was amplified a thousand times. When he died quite unexpectedly, the vet said he was close to 14 years old.

Sure was a surprise to us.

Steve, I am sorry for your loss and that some of your friends just don't understand what you do and do not need from them as you grieve. I wish I knew something more to write, but all I can add is that I understand.