Guilt Of New Puppy And Expectations Options

[wheatenlover]

I just lost my beloved Wheaten Terrier "Chewy" after only six short years and a six month battle with cancer. The grief is overwhelming and he was more like a human than a dog. I know everyone feels that way about their dogs but if anyone has ever owned a Wheaten Terrier they know that these dogs have something amazing about them that make them almost human. I am not trying to say my dog is better or my experience is unique but it helps to share this with others who may be able to relate. We have three dogs total and Chewy was the only Wheaten. The other two are girls and are pot hounds that we rescued from Grenada on our trips there. They are incredible, gentle and loving dogs but they don't seem to have that human quality that my male Wheaten had, not to mention I am a guy so he was a ruff and tumble dog, which I loved. I could hold him upside down, wrestle with him and play with him like guys do. I cant do this witht he other two because they are more timid. Again I love them dearly but I will miss the fun and roughhousing that Chewy loved. He also could literally read my mind. I would just think about going on the boat and he would go to the door, pretend like he wanted to go to the bathroom, then bolt to the boat, hop on and sit in the captain's chair with a look like "I can drive if you want". He swam like a fish, loved the pool, the ocean and would hurl himself in reckless abandon towards any source of water. He literally was up for anything that I did and trusted me with anything up to the end when I had to make the gut wrenching decision to stop his suffering and start mine. This is also the first pet that I have had to do this to and with him being so young it only added to the pain and hurt.

So now onto my thoughts that I would like some feedback...

First, I feel horrible thinking about getting a new Wheaten because I feel that it alienates Chewy's memory as if to say he is replaceable. I don't know if there is a respectable amount of time or heeling process that must take place before I should do this. Secondly, I am scared that if I get one, I will be comparing him too much to Chewy and feel disappointment if he doesn't like the water or is not interested in following me everywhere as an example. I am thinking about a different but similar breed to help mitigate this but I am not sure what breed could compare and if this is the right approach. He recently passed and I just loved him so much and had so much fun with him in every activity and I just want that back desperately. I also know that wants like this can backfire and nothing will ever replace him nor do I want that. I am a guy and supposed to be able to handle these things a little better but my wife seems to be the strong one and I am a mess. Making decisions like this when you are this emotional can be tricky and I am not saying I am going to adopt a new Wheaten tomorrow but I do feel like we offer a good home. He was such an intimate part of our family and household that it seems like we are missing something as important as our front door when I go home. Even if you do not have any advice I appreciate you listening as even sharing my thoughts and feelings is very helpful.