About Grieving..., Is this normal? Options

[Caroline]

Hi-

I haven't posted in awhile but as I have been dealing with the grieving process, I have noticed something that I am curious about. My lab Lucy died about 5 weeks ago, and while I know I am not ready for a new dog right now, I find myself obsessively searching local shelter websites and pet ads. I think I miss having Lucy so much that I want the presence of a dog, any dog, so badly because I think it will take some of the pain away. I am not even sure what I am really searching for...all I know is that for some reason, I keep looking to see what kind of cats and dogs there are out there. Then I get into a sad place by looking at all of these sweet faces who desperately need to be adopted and I know I cannot save them. So not only am I grieving Lucy, but I find myself grieving for all of these nameless animals, mainly because common wisdom tells me that many of them will be euthanised as there are simply not enough homes available for them. I feel helpless, just like I did when the vet told me that Lucy had advanced lymphoma. Total and utter helplessness...

I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this after the loss of their furbaby. Why am I doing this to myself?

Thanks for listening...Caroline

[Kathleen032]

Hi, Caroline-

Shortly after Shiloh died I, too, found myself searching petfinder.com looking for a puppy that looked like Shiloh. What you're going through is completely normal. I think you'll know when the time is right to get a new puppy. I had full intentions of waiting until this summer to get another dog, but when little Koda found his way into my life 6 weeks ago, I knew that time was right. He's definitely not a Shiloh replacement, and I still miss her terribly, but he does make me smile.

You continue to be in my thoughts.
Kathleen