How soon is too soon?

[Carrie king]

As some of you know, we lost our goldendoodle recently to a brain infection. Its only been around a month, but we have already begunconsidering a new pup. My heart still aches about Chester every day and I am sure that it will for a long, long time. That being said, we know we want to share our home with a doodle and have found a pup we are interested in. I would just like to hear what you guys think about it. Thanks!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

First, I am sorry for your loss.

When Cole' (not a doodle) passed away it was heartbreaking for me, and my husband.  The house was so lonely and quiet.  A week or so later Haley came into our lives.  He did not replace Cole' but he helped in the healing.  Each person is different.  This is just my experience. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

IMO, there's no such thing as "too soon". While a new puppy doesn't replace the dog you've lost, it sure helps fill that empty space in your heart. :)

[Rhoda and Asta]

It sounds like your heart is saying it's ready for a new pup.  I say go for it.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Too soon?  Yes, it is heartbreaking to lose your friend, but replacement is a good idea for everyone.  We have more than one dog and they are devastated when they lose their companion so we always have at least two dogs.  And remember that doggie lives are much shorter than human lives.  If your house is already set up for a dog, I would say go for it.  You will be glad that you did.

[Carrie king]

:-) i agree. We always have more than one. We still have 2 toy poodles. They look for him & it breaks my heart. The energy is very different around here without him :(

[Wendy and Myla]

When my first doodle, Zak, died at the age of five, I was horrified that after the initial two weeks of crying every time I thought of her, I wanted a new puppy.  I felt like I was betraying her by just thinking about it but I also desperately wanted a new puppy to help me with my grief.  I knew that a new puppy could never replace Zak, but I also didn't want to even think of comparing to her, so we decided to get an apricot doodle (Zak was pitch black).  We had to wait until Myla was born and then eight weeks after that till we could bring her home (which seemed like an eternity!) so we got Myla almost eight months to the date that Zak died.  We have never regretted it!   To us, it just seems like Zak is watching over us all with a big smile on her face.  We had trouble figuring out a name for her but Myla stands for "My Little Angel" which we think is a huge tribute to Zak!  I agree with the previous posts, every one is different and you alone will know when the time is right but if your heart is telling you it's time, I would say go for it! 

[Carrie king]

Thanks for the replies. I really think we are leaning towards going for it. :)

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I am so sorry for your loss of your sweet boy Chester.  The fact you are asking the question, tells me you are ready and will benefit from a new puppy in your lives as it can help with healing your heart.  Because of the circumstances, I think you may find that you will have a very special bond with your new little doodle.  Whenever we suffer a loss (human or pet)  IMO there is no appropriate time to wait as it is your personal journey and each individual processes these events differently.  I did not realize it at the time I found Charlie - but it happened his birth day was the same day as our standard poodle had died and I felt it was an omen.  My husband thought it was too soon, but I know he would tell you today that it was the best thing to do at the time.  Charlie did not take Wilbur's place but he certainly dulled the pain. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I can tell you from experience that it is really hard to be sad when there is a puppy in the house!  We lost our Sophie in March and AnnaBelle came along in May, sooner than we anticipated as someone backed out of a sold out liter and we got the call.  We were a little unsure, but like I said, it is hard to be sad with a puppy in the house.  Our Lucy, maybe not so happy then, but she loves her now.  Things happen for a reason, so if you wanna, go for it.

[Ardeth Fitzpatrick]

I was devastated when Zoltan, my German Shepherd died last August. Every time I walked into the house and he wasn't there to greet me, I cried. I knew the only way to get past the grief was getting a puppy that would keep me so busy I wouldn't have time to focus on my loss. I started looking and got Samson less that two weeks later. He kept me laughing every day. It may seem disloyal to some to get a puppy so soon, but I think a new puppy can be a trubute to the love we shared with our past dogs. I haven't regretted getting Samson so soon, and you know how busy a Goldendoodle puppy keeps you!!!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

We waited a long time, a few years.  I am sorry that we did, but then again it brought us our terrific Quincy.  I knew I wanted (make that needed) to have a four legged baby when I would drive by people walking their dog and wanted to stop the car to pet and play!  Your sweet Chester broke you guys in to be a wonderful dog family, honor his legacy and go for it! 

[Amy and Annabelle]

Our first family dog, a miniature schnauzer was killed by a FedEx truck. We were all devastated. The kids started asking for a new dog right away. We wanted something small like the first one. After about a week we went to the city animal shelter just to look around. As soon as we walked in all 3 kids headed over to this big golden retriever. They pretty much ignored all the other dogs. The lady that worked there told us he was scheduled to be euthanized that night. She said my kids had been the only ones that even gave him a second look the whole time he had been there. Then the "Mom can we get him, please" started. So yes we came home with a dog a lot bigger than I wanted but he was a great dog. We had him for 10 wonderful years before he passed away from cancer. When he died the kids were all grown and out on their own. That was 13 years ago. We were dogless until we got Annabelle last fall. My husband wasn't even sure he wanted to be tied down with a dog in our retirement years. But he loves her and is happy we have her now. Over Mothers day weekend my sister lost her beloved 15 year old kitty. She called me sobbing to tell me he had died. After I hung up with her I told my husband, I bet she has a new kitty by next weekend. Actually after she hung up with me she went to look at a litter of kitties she had heard about. They were still too young to leave their mama but she brought home a brother and sister 2 weeks later. They make her so happy and said they have helped ease the pain of losing the other one. She also still has the brother of the one that passed, but he is more her husbands kitty and his brother was hers. He wouldn't let the new kitties anywhere near his brothers travel crate. He took over that crate and let the new kitties have his old one.