Finding A New "family Member": Too Soon? Options

[Precious' mom]

Thought I would seek out some opinions on this subject.
My Precious has been gone three weeks this morning. I visited a cat shop (where they sell pet supplies and are also a no-kill shelter of sorts, they take in strays and place them in good homes) and saw a six-week-old kitten that almost resembled Precious when he was a baby. Not seeming to get too interested after handling the kitten, I asked the owner if she had heard of any pet loss support groups in my area. She said there weren't any and asked if I had recently lost a pet. I explained that my cat had died almost three weeks earlier. She stated that it would be good to adopt a new kitten and to give it a good, loving home, that it would help ease the pain of the recent loss. I told her the pain was still too fresh and that I was still in the grieving phase and she understood but also pointed out that since I had adopted Precious as a stray kitten so many years ago, the best thing to do would be to carry on the tradition again.
There is much more to adopting an animal than just adopting it; it's a lifetime commitment. Plus, I haven't gotten over losing my right arm -- I feel like a mental amputee!! So many swirling, conflicting emotions. Since most of you adopted recently, what are your feelings and views on the subject? I am so torn between giving my heart to another cat but still honouring the one I recently lost.
Lisa

[Daisy's Mommy]

The only reason I am delaying adopting another dog is because I have a son who is too young to appreciate an animal companion. He loves animals, but being only 13 months old, he doesn't really know how to pet nicely. Daisy, who was with me long before him, knew how to avoid him, but it doesn't make sense to bring a new pet in now.

Otherwise I would not have waiting very long. That being said, I feel that this is a deeply personal decision. There is no right or wrong time. Some people cannot stand an empty house. Some people need more time to mourn without the presence of a new pet. Some people feel that they are betraying their pet by getting a new one - although I can't think of a better tribute to a beloved pet than to adopt a homeless animal.

In short, you can honor your beloved cat by waiting a "respectable time" or by adopting now in her name. Neither choice is inherently wrong. If you are ambivilent, it might be better to wait a little bit anyway and see how you feel - as you say, getting a new pet is a lifetime commitment.

No pet will replace Precious in your heart - but since our capacity to love has no limits, there will be plenty of room for a new pet, as well as for Precious.

I am sorry for your loss
Daisy's Mommy