We have some good friends whose 14 year old dog died about a year ago…they were miserable…they went out and got a puppy…a Blue Heeler named Buddy who has filled the void for them. They have cattle and Buddy has a job. We had a lot of fun playing with and petting him the other night. They mentioned that they knew of some Border Collie pups that were for sale.
We are not ready to fill the void left by Chance. I am not sure we will every be ready…when we got Chance he/she was named before we got him/her we did not know if we would be getting a male or a female Border Collie. Anyways we figured it was our last chance to have a dog and made arrangements should the dog out live us.
We are adjusting…some times not so well…as the loneliness and grief overwhelms us. The last time we were without a dog…2001 when Captain died to 2004 when we got Chance…is the longest either of us has been without a dog our entire lives.
We are dog people. I think Chance was a once in a lifetime kinda dog.
31 comments:
I think you should leave that door open as a possibility. You have so much love to give.
When I lost Kero, I said I'd never have another dog too. Now we have Lilie. Maybe you aren't ready yet, but keep your options open, because there might come a time when you change your mind.
It is pretty hard to go without a dog if you are dog people. My daughter is a dog person and she recently acquired a new dog. The last one her son had was a dog like chance, a one in a million.
I know the feeling. I've had many dogs in my life....I think I got my first dog on my 3rd birthday. She was a skipperke and I named her Mitzi because my birthday was in January and I was wearing mittens or that's what people told me anyway. I've had dogs ever since but this is it for me after Nitty and Annie. I too have arrangements made should anything happen to me before they are gone. I hope that doesn't happen though. Change can be difficult on the elderly. I wish there was something to say or do that would help you in your grief but the only thing that gets you through it is time and the hope that someday you will be together again. Hugs ~ Sam
I've had one in a million dogs too. My mother who is in her 80's lost her aged dog. Mom was lonely without a dog but decided she was too old to ever have another. 3 weeks later my sister brought mom a dog who was around 9 yrs old with the promise that if something happened to mom, she'd take care of her dog.
I stumbled on a puppy 4 days after Morris died and decided to risk it. My husband was upset with me for about 5 minutes. Now Charlie is more important to him than any dog we've ever had.
I love those one in a million dogs.
Hugs.
That last pic is amazing. For a moment, I thought it was a painting.
You have my sympathy! The everyday habits of having a dog just make the missing them that much worse. I still come home expecting to be greeted by that fuzzy bundle of love. I can't bring myself to replace him and think he was my last even though I too am a dog person.
When we got married 28 years ago my husband had a sheltie named Daisy. Daisy and I fell in love. One night, while he was at work Daisy tried to jump up in bed with me (he didn't allow it but she and I slept together every night till she heard his truck in the driveway, and then she jumped down) and failed. She was shaking. I sat on the floor with her all night and in the morning took her to the vet where she died of some blood disorder. He said never again would he have a dog, he was in so much pain. A week later he quietly told me there were sheltie puppies in the paper. And so we got Bonnie who was my heart dog. She had all sorts of health issues, but she was such a good girl. She died of a seizure when she was fourteen and we said no more, we were so brokenhearted. But in a week or so I went online looking for sheltie breeders in Michigan. I found one, a small breeder and we corresponded on line. She didn't have any puppies and I said that was OK, we weren't ready. A month went by. Husband and I talked a tiny bit about getting a puppy 'someday.' The next day the breeder emailed me and asked if we'd consider taking an 8 week old that she had been 'growing out for show' but felt she needed to sell. She said someone wanted her for breeding but she didn't want that life for this little girl. So Katie raced into our life. She's high maintenance, a diva, a princess and the center of everybody's attention all the time. I often tell her that her sister Bonnie was a good girl. She'll be 12 in December and husband and I have said that after her we aren't getting another dog. Still. We're dog people too.
We have always had a dog (sometimes two) and all but one of them was a rescue. Our current dog was our son's and he couldn't keep him because his wife has allergies. We took him in "just until you find him a good home" and he's now been with us for almost seven years. He is such a "one in a million" dog. but when he is gone (he's thirteen) we won't get another. We will get our "dog fix" from out older son's dogs. It's too hard to travel and we hate leaving him.
We had my father-in-law living with us for seven years,we had a white poodle who was our love, and yet my wife wandered over at a Petsmart and asked me to go see a dog that wanted us. He was smaller and his hair was still soft puppy like hair, and he leaned against the crate wall so we could pet him. He came home and helped us with my father-in law. What a heck of a ride it has been to have him and we still have him now. Not so very long anymore but I don’t think I can lose another dog. Time heals and things happen but we are in a
time in life where we need a lot of care just for ousels. We are dog people but I just don’e know if we will ever have one more dog.
Dog people are the best! My dog passed away in August so I know of the "hole in your heart" that exists. I also am not sure about getting another dog yet- on my driving trip this past weekend, it was "different" to just get a hotel without making sure it was pet-friendly. Hope that time and good memories will help with your grief.
I'm not sure I could be without a dog. Or 2. Tess turns 12 this month, and Tay is 7. I hope for 2 more years with Tess, will be blessed if it is more, she is my heart dog.
He probably was. Fuzzy was that kind of dog for me. But I know I have to have a dog and Boomer needed a family so we are great friends and do everything together. Boomer loves Terry, but he is my dog. Mindy the cat loves me but she is totally in love with Terry. I understand what you are saying, but when the time is right it will be right. HUGS!
Very good advice, Rita. Possibility can open up the world.
Those kinds of voids can never be filled and I don't think we should try. However, the heart is a flexible thing and it can make room for another alongside of the void. There are an awful lot of adult dogs who need homes as well as puppies and you have so much to offer. Take time to mourn Chance, but also remember that dogs are pack animals and pack means that you are never alone even when you lose one part, the pack goes on and helps raise the new members. You guys are a great pack.
Just yesterday, I was talking with Kris and saying that I hoped you would be getting another dog. I know Chance was the best ever, but you can provide such a great home for a dog, and not very many can really do that. Plus the dog will provide you will unequaled companionship and give you motivation to be outside walking and having fun. I think of my Scout every single day, but I also relish every minute I have with my other dogs, and right now especially little Ian. Ian is a constant source of fun, even when he is being annoying! Every day now, I check your blog, hoping to see that you are being brave enough to let a new dog into your hearts. It does take courage, as yes, they do get old and leave us, but I believe you are up to the task!!
It's a tough situation to be in. It's a decision that should take a while.
Only you know when and if you are ready again. I've been there before and swore never again. I've changed my mind and been so glad I did. You are not too old for another, in fact retirement is a perfect time since you have the time to share. Leave the door open as Rita suggested.
I think all animals are "once in a lifetime" type beings. We don't replace them with a carbon copy.... we simply introduce another with their own characteristics and personality that we grow to love deeply. ~Andrea xoxo
So many great sentiments expressed here in the comments. I haven't been dogless since we got our first one when I was 12, other than when I worked up north for 6 months and my dog was at home with my parents. After my dad died and we took on his Lab, dogs have overlapped in our lives. I think it is so much easier when there is still another dog that needs your attention, the grieving is maybe a little easier? There is not quite the emptiness in the house. This does not mean we loved the missing dog less, just that the heart has room for loving others. Jake has had a few more episodes, which I've come to the conclusion are probably seizures. And Dr. Google had indicated that it is not good news. In my eyes, Jake is a dog in a million, but then many of us feel the same way about our animals. Hugs to you both.
It's been two years since I lost my buddy Bear, and I'd really like to adopt another dog soon.
You'll know when it's the right time -- and the right dog.
I wondered how you two were doing without your faithful companion. It's hard to adjust to losing a beloved pet. I was just imagining our cat in a sunbeam as the sunlight came streaming into the house yesterday. It has been nearly two years since we lost her. We don't plan to replace her.
It is good you are not rushing into getting another dog, when our dog Dot Dot died Kathy & Tim rushed out and got another dog that I wasn't ready for and never really took too. You will know when the time is right for another dog
There is a poem called A Dogs Last Will and Testament. Look it up on the internet. I just read it and thought of you.
I miss Chance, too. But I hope you will allow another furry family member if one comes along that you just cannot turn down. But I understand the reluctance.
Whatever you decide Connie and Far Guy, about getting a new pal, isn't it nice to know that so many people here care about you and care about your future happiness. Just know that we all understand and we're all grieving with you.
It's a tough situation to be in. It's a decision that should take a while.
Gclub
Yes, Chance was a once in a lifetime, special pet. And it's tempting to fill that void. But don't be in a rush. There will be a right time, and hopefully just the right dog, but whoever he/she will be, it needs to be a dog who comes into your life on his own merits, not following in the footsteps of a giant.
It's been almost exactly a year now since we lost our fourteen year old dog. I still don't think I'm ready yet, though I know when I am, I want to find another dog from that same breed. But comparisons make the choice more difficult, and I think the space allows us to zero in on merits, not comparisons. There will never be another Chance, and trying to make it so will likely lead to disappointment. Give yourself the time it takes...
What a nice poem, Thank you for sharing that.
Oh Connie, I am simply at a loss for words. I did not know about Chance until now. What a very special dog he was. I can understand the grief and loneliness you and Far Guy are feeling. I was reading about your new stamp and happened to see your post "Dog People" and thought about Chance. My heart skipped a beat. I think all your followers including me loved Chance. Wish I could give you a big hug. Love, Melba
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