When Is The Right Time?, for a new pet? Options

[shadded dreams]

"WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME?" A thread started by: SHADDED DREAMS



Hi Everyone:

This is another post that I found in our old threads, but the most wonderful, caring advice is right here.....

I know that "When is the right time for another furbaby", is definitely something to think about. And, we are all
different people......
Some are ready, (really ready) right away, and some.....not for awhile......... And, there are some for which another furbaby just is not an option.....

I hope that by bringing back this thread, it will help some of you to think about your choices.....

God Bless!!

Love, Denise, Ben, Ms. Lucy and Mr. Yoster xo


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Just a short note to let you all know I still have my moments, but things are getting easier everyday. I find that the more I do to memorialize my beloved Zipper, the easier it gets! I don't want to ever forget him. I will love him forever and ever.
For all of you who have gotten new fur babies after the devistating loss of one, how did you know? How do I know when the right time is? I have been looking at Sheltie rescue sites, and at the humane society and animal control, and on petfinder.com. But how do I know? I feel kinda ashamed that I don't have my Zippers remains back yet, and I am looking. Am I trying to replace him, and I just don't realize it? NOONE could ever replace my Zipper!! I know that consciously, but sub consciously do I? Have any of you gotten the same breed as a new furbaby? Is that a bad idea? Will I cry every time I look at my new furbaby? I was hoping to get one sometime after April 1st. After I come back from vacation. What are your thoughts on this topic? Please help me out with your personal experiences? I just can't help but feel a twinge of guilt. But then I think of the saying "give it to another like me, and then I will live forever." What do you guys think? I saw another sheltie on line last night that was available, it was a blue hued sheltie, and his name was Zipper!!! Can you believe that?? I told my husband NO WAY. NO WAY could I have another sheltie and have its name be ZIPPER wether is came that way or not!! Thanks for any advice you can give me, I really appreciate it. Zippers momma

[Libertybelle]

I have read that story, Zippers Mom, and it broke my heart too. I can't understand how people can be so callous about an animal. They would not just abandon their children, so why do it to a helpless animal that YOU took in. It depends on you for its very existence! (sorry, I know you agree with me, I just get so angry about how people can be)

Anyhow, I wanted to add my own thoughts to your original post. I don't think that any future animal that you or any of us may acquire will ever be a "replacement" The human heart has an amazing capacity to stretch and accomodate more than one person or animal to love. As it is with having more human children, you don't love the first one less when the second one comes along. Your heart expands to love them both. So it is with our animal children. You're not being disloyal or forgetting about your first pet by getting another one. It shows that you still have the ability to give and receive love again. What tribute could be more fitting to Zipper than to allow the love you have inside to be given to an animal who desperately needs a new home? I think Zip would approve. I think he'd be happy that someone else will lick your hand and nuzzle you now that he can't do it any more. I think he'd be happy that you'd no longer be so lonely.
It's been 17 days now since my Dede has gone. I miss her still. I think of her every day. Something will remind me of her (like spilling food on the floor - Teddy won't touch it but Dede was my canine Hoover - if something fell, she'd eat it, I never had to bend down and pick it up lol) Or I'll miss the sound of her stretching and making that little groan she'd make each morning. I see her leash and collar hanging from the hook still and get misty eyed. But I think she'd be glad that I am sort of ready to give more love to another dog again. I'm not saying we're going to do it immediately, but I check them out at the adoption center frequently. Honestly, if it were just me, I'd have another one by now. But the rest of the family is hesitant, some think it is disloyal, some think it is too soon, some think it's wrong to make Teddy adjust to another animal. I respect their wishes and concerns but for me, I'm ready to have another one now and give it the love it needs. I think Dede would be proud that I'm not locking my heart in misery and grief and refusing to share what's inside of it.
Good luck to you in your decision -- Zip will never be forgotten -- he'll always be in your heart and your head.

Lori