When Is The Right Time?, I feel guilty even asking this... Options

[Dukerman]

When is the right time to bring a new baby into your life after losing the most important baby you ever had? My Duke can never, ever be replaced...and I would never even try to replace him.

I feel awful even thinking about it.

[Christine]

Hi Angela, My dad had to have his 11 year old border collie (Rocky) to sleep last February because of cancer. He didn't want another dog because he said he was too old. I told him I would take the new dog if something happened to him and he said he would think about it. In the meantime, I got on the border collie rescue site and found a beautiful border collie(probably not 100% collie but who cares), and showed Dad his photo. We drove 125 miles for a look, and it was love at first sight. Rocky ll is only 2 years old and keeps my dad entertained all day. He's a beautiful dog but has a completely different character than Rocky l. He didn't name him Rocky to replace his other dog. The people who were fostering him had named him Crackerjack, but he didn't answer to that and Dad said he didn't care much for that name, so he just named him Rocky as he couldn't think of anything else. This happened 4 days after Rocky 1 died. Rocky ll filled a big void as Dad used to walk Rocky twice a day, play in the pool with him, and talk to him like a human. My mum died 11 years ago and Dad lives alone. He's always had a dog--they had 4 when my mum was alive.

If you're looking for another doberman, check out the rescue sites. The only bad thing is that youll want to adopt all of them. How much room do you have?!

Love,

Christine