i know that this is going to be a silly question and most will respond with "it depends on the person" type of an answer but...

as some of you know, we had to put our cat down last May and it was NOT an easy thing for either the admiral or I (we still have not explained it to the first mate)

The house is so empty without her (the cat - not the admiral)
and I am wondering how long people have waited for a "new" pet after making that decision of letting one go.

The cat will never be "replaced" and she is visited often by us, and once and a while, we actually "see" her in the basement - I know that sounds weird

We lost a dog and waited five years to get another. We should've done it sooner.

We've lost cats and replaced them immediately. Not saying I'd do the same with a little kid or a person, but having a little kitty around will ease the pain.

It soumds like your ready. We waited a year after having or golden put down. We ended up with two more goldens and it's been an adventure with them. You can never "replace" what you had, but you can add to the family. New pet, new memories and good times. I swear that our female golden that we have how is the reincarnation of our previous one. We left the names to our boys and the youngest wanted to name her the same name as her predesessor, "Goldie"

in March '05, Rusty was in the hospital the day we took our Party Cruiser on its maiden near-sinking. He died a couple of days later, totally devastated the wife. "No more animals" she said.

I think she made it two weeks, then we got Dijon. About a year later we also got Buddy...



=================

I'm glad we didn't wait...

OK...here is a totally different angle. When our two boys are gone we will not get another dog for quite a while. First off...our two dogs have been our kids before we had our son. They still mean the world to us and we know we will never have that relationship with another animal like we have with these two. Mainly because we have our son and hopefully another child someday, the relationship with a new animal will not be the same.

We also travel quite a bit with family scattered around the country as well as my mom being allergic and not being able to stay with us.

We almost lost our Golden a few weeks ago and it showed me how much of a mess we will be once they do pass. So, knowing how hard it will be to deal with their passing and also knowing that we will never again have this exact relationship with a pet until all our kids have moved out...that is where our decision is coming from.

I've lost 4 or 5 of "the best dog"s so far and got a new one right away. Not to replace the past one, but to keep me busy training the new one. It keeps your mind off the loss. The White Shepard and Golden we have now are the best yet.

Get the pet.
It's not a replacement. It's a creature that can bring some solace to your life and grow with your child.

Our situation is very similar to Doggg's.
We just lost our dog in Feb to cancer. We had him since he was 6 weeks old. He was our first "kid". While we have started looking for another dog, I personally can not in good conscience get another one just yet. It would only be held in constant comparison to Rasper, just wouldn't be fair.
It is a personal decision. Just be sure you are getting a companion, not a replacement.

I always advise my clients that the time to bring another companion home is whenever you start thinking about it, even if you feel you aren't "ready". Many, many of my clients tell of how their next best friend found them - whether it be a stray, a rescue, or just walking through a shelter.

I have lost a dozen, maybe more, companions over the years. Some I knew only for several days while others only a few short months (after bringing them home following a diagnosis of a terminal illness, but it still wasn't their "time"). I always said to myself that I was doing it for the animals (bringing them home), giving them the best short time they had left. Others have been my constant companion for years. However, in each and every circumstance, whether short or long lived, I was given more by the animal than I could ever have given them.

Each animal has a unique personality and the capacity for unconditional love and devotion. (Yes, even cats!) No one animal will ever replace another. But they can help you remember all of the good things about those that have already crossed the rainbow bridge before them.

Brady, start by perusing the animals available for adoption. I'm not sure how close you are to Animal Ark in Hastings, but they have two Ragdolls (Mercedes 2 and Moxie) who need to be adopted together. Radgolls are known for their very gentle personalities and easy going dispositions (hence, their name). There is also a Maine Coone available for adoption - these cats are known as gentle giants and usually shed very little. Milkshake looks like a special needs kitty that could be a great companion.

As always, PM me or give me a call if you have specific questions regarding any new family member.

We lost our first dog, Koli, 8 years ago. She was our first pet ever and the loss was especially hard for my daughter. We adopted Hobbes, our daughter's cat when we know the end was near for for Koli. I thnk that having Hobbes made it a mite easier for my daughter. Since then we have adopted 5 other pets; 3 other cats and 2 smaller dogs.

Now, the end is near for Hobbes. Poor guy has small cell cance in his small intestine. He's been doing much better with his medication (Steroids) and his special food, but it's only illusionary that he's "on the mend." We know that his time is going to come, and sooner rather than later. While we were at the pet store getting some food, they had kittens there for adoption. There was one little guy that was so affectionate & playful that I would have taken him home for my daughter, but I know that now is not the time for that. We'll wait and see if my daughter is ready for a new "love" in her life after Hobbes departs us. I think that perhaps you guys are ready for a newcomer into your household. The signs are there and, I think that your first cat will welcome the new addition. Sorry for the long post.

And, WD - Thanks for your insight and input into Hobbes' circumstances. It is much appreciated by me, my wife and daughter.

When I earlier said that the 2 I now have are the best yet, some of that may be that I'm a better person/trainer/master/companion/friend than I was years ago, but I never compare dogs, they are all unique and special, but they are such a huge part of our life, we will never be without one (probably 2)

You guys are killing me, we just lost our 6 year old Golden "Buddy" last wednesday to cancer. This weekend at the lakehouse everything there reminded me of him. I was having alot of trouble with my "allergies" The admiral and I are thinking about another one but I'm not sure I'm ready yet.

we've gotten 3 dogs from a local breeder here in central Pa, they breed White Shepards, and Goldens. They are great people and their dogs are treated like they were their kids. They have 8 or 9 goldens that live inside the house with them. PM me if you want info on them.

MM, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Buddy knows he can't be replaced and he knows you'll never try to do so. Buddy also knows that you'll give another deserving guy or girl the opportunity to experience a great life, just like you did for him.



When you are ready, how about considering one of these:
Delaware Valley Golden Rescue
GoldHeart Golden Rescue
Golden Rescue in NJ
And if you want to come to Atl...

WD, Clicked on the Atlanta link and got a strong urge to make the drive down. What a collection of dogs...hard to believe anyone would give them up. We have a neighbor who is heavily involved in Lab rescue...she has 7 at home and told me the other day she knows of at least 6 others that need homes right away. We have a neighborhood fundraiser each year that she organizes. She's also the local dog walker/trainer as a business.

My daughter wants a dog that is "hers" and it makes me feel like a wimp for resisting getting a 2nd. I've never had more than one dog at a time. We have her handling more of the care of our current dog now, w/ short walks, feeding, etc. so we'll see... Anyway, seeing all those dogs reminds me of the starfish on the beach parable...thanks for doing your part WD (and others)!

Anyone have any comments on having multiple pets at the same time?

This is one of the main reasons we will hesitate to get another dog(s) when Maxx and Cody are no longer with us. We will only want to do two dogs again and not just one. They are so funny together, partly because they are just opposites (one is 22 pounds and one is 100 pounds) and also how they interact with each other.

I truly believe they have kept each other young. Maxx, now 11 is so healthy, thin and runs around like he is 4 again. Cody, 9 1/2, obviously old for a large dog is very healthy other than his liver which is now under control and now running back around like he is a young pup.

They still wrestle almost everyday and just hang out being best friends. We do not feel as guilty when we are away from the house as they have each other to keep them company.

we have a 1 yr old Golden and an 8 yr old Shepard, so one keeps the other "young", when the Shepard goes, and we hope not for a long time, we will get another. So we will always have a young dog and an older brother dog.

I don't want to derail, but find myself compelled to ask bperg a question. Those are two really different dogs, do you see a big difference? And which personality traits do you like of each? I am not trying to get too personal, and apologize if I am. We are in the looking stages, but my wife wants one of those breeds and I the other. I've had both, but looking for an outside opinion.
Thanks.

No problem, I got nothing to hide. The Shepard is very protective and loyal, he is our guard dog (we live in the woods and he's a 120 lb. mass of muscle). It takes a while, a few hours of of him on a lease inside with a new person in the room for him to accept that person, but once you're on his good list he won't forget you. The Golden is just over 85 lbs. and very playful, and a sweetheart of a dog. He loves anyone, and would help a thief carry out the goods. They get along fine (the Shepard is the older one) and the Golden stays right with the Shepard when they play rough. We don't allow kids near the Shepard, the Golden is absolutely harmless. My last dog was a female Shepard (the two I have now are neutered males) and she was not aggressive. I don't know if that matters or not.

I find it funny that you have a shepherd and a golden. We lost our 16 YO golden/shepherd mix to kidney failure in April, right after I found the tumors in Buddy's throat. Ginger was acting old when we got Buddy (she was 10) but she perked right up like a puppy again after we brought him home. I expected Ginger to leave us enevtually and then Buddy would be our "old" dog, maybe we'd get him a puppy like he was for Ginger. But I couldn't believe it when I found the tumors in his neck, we were "prepared" to lose Ginger but not both of them together. They were definately best friends, and I'll miss them terribly.

The good news is we just came home from Morgantown with a brand new 2008 model Golden Retriever puppy! I know we'll never replace Ginger and Buddy, but life goes on and the house seemed SO empty without a pooch! My wife looked into rescuing one but couldn't seem to find any for rescue, and couldn't find any females locally. So we drove an hour each way.

I'll post some pics later after I get a chance to take some.

This is a tough read.. we lost our family dog 3 years ago after 13 long years We got another one, a Dachshund about 2 months later. We got a little yorkie-poo last year, and they have both been just the best friends.. reading all your stories about losing your pets made me tear up... I'm such a woos when it comes to pets/animals.

bradyf, can't give you any good advice as to when, but you'll know when, when it happens!

bradyf, sorry about your loss.

But if and when you're ready for another pet, heed waterdog's advice: get a Ragdoll. I have one, and out of all my cats (we have three), he is by far THE most affectionate. Almost dog-like. And smart too. He knows how to sit, shake and stand.

And if you're thinking about a canine, a Miniature Schnauzer is a good bet. I have one, and she never fails to amaze me with her intelligence.

Thanks. Two dogs ago was my Golden. I had him since he was two, and he was put down at the tender age of 19. He still had the spirit but his body had given out. My last dog was a Shepherd mix, brought him home at 8 weeks old. We had to put him down at 8 due to cancer. I miss them both. I viewed them pretty much how you view yours. I would like another Sheppy, but the wife wants to be practical. With a 4 year old in the house, a Shepherd probably isn't right for us now, but I much prefer thier attitude.

Shepards are iffy, but if it's a pup and raised with a child it would defend that child to it's own demise. The problem: your child bringing friends around. With kids I'd go Golden. (I've had a Great Dane, Doberman, Husky, Malamute, Samoyed, and a Beagle; I'd get anther Golden in a heartbeat)

My wife thanks you for your thoughts.

Hey, brother, we're all on this big rock in space together. Caring for each other just makes life a lot more bearable.

I second bperg, I'd get a golden too, but hey I'm kinda partial to goldens (since they are the worlds best dogs!)