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  1. #1
    Puppy
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    Dealing with Loss

    >>
    >>
    My fur babies are getting up there in age 10 and 11 and Iknow the dreadful day hopefully years from now will come when one of themwill pass. There so close, been togetherfor 10 years always laying together and they if I take one out the other willwine and bark unit I return.>>
    How have you dealtwith loss comforting the one left behind? I don’t think introducing a new puppywould be the answer. At least at first. I have thought about getting a puppynow well before anything happens but I’m not sure this would be a goodidea.Both are my dogs are still happyenergetic and healthy. >>
    Just thinking of this because 2 of my family got dogs aroundthe same time I did and both of them have passed on recently >>
    Thanks>>

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Rocky didn't really seemed to phased when I lost my other dog (she was young at the time and i'd only had her a few years).

    I wanted to suggest that if you wanted to add, it doesn't HAVE to be a puppy either. A puppy may not be a great fit for your current two (puppies are a HUGE pain in the rear) but a young adult might be an interesting option. A breeder dog being placed (good breeders sometimes place non puppies, or if a dog was returned to them). Or adopt from a rescue (those that have dogs in foster homes can give you a good amount of info on the dog in a home setting nad you could have the dogs meet beforehand).

  3. #3
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Lark was pretty chill after Chase died this summer but they'd never been particularly close. Our first 2 dogs were litter mates and had always been together so when Bridget died, Brandy was clearly mourning her loss. Actually, Brandy died 2 weeks after Bridget did. Brandy had some form of lymphoma that we hadn't recognized until after Bridget was gone. We're not sure what caused Bridget's demise, she awoke in the middle of the night one night panting and crying and we took her to the vet and her heart rate was in the 200s. They weren't able to get it under control.

    A lot of folks on here recommend not getting litter mates or dogs too close together in age for the very reasons you're now considering. As Tanya (above) can tell you, even having dogs well apart in years doesn't guarantee that the younger one will outlive the older. I can't say whether it would be a good idea to get a puppy now or after the first one dies, that's pretty much your call. If you get a puppy after the first one dies, that will take away a lot of the attention you might otherwise give your remaining pup. If you get one now, they both will get less attention. If you adopted an adult but much younger dog, not a young puppy, that might be easier on both the others since much of the puppy craziness would be in the past. And many people get a new dog very soon after their old ones die. It doesn't diminish the memory of the older dog but it demonstrates how well they did their job as a companion that you cannot imagine being without one.

    Good luck. I hate when they get old.

  4. #4
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    My advise would be not to think about it and just enjoy each day with them. Don't spoil the time you still have by worrying.
    Cookie Black Snowflake
    July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.

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  6. #5
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Berna View Post
    My advise would be not to think about it and just enjoy each day with them. Don't spoil the time you still have by worrying.
    True, you won't miss them any less no matter what you decide about another dog or puppy.

  7. #6
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
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    We do business as usual with ours. They get past it faster that way if they do actually mourn. Some dogs don't.

  8. #7
    Senior Dog
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    It's never, ever easy to lose a pet...It hurts very badly....leaves a terrible void in your life.

    I honestly don't think it's a good idea to introduce a new puppy in your home while you have your seniors there. Seniors are so very special...I think it's the best time in a dog's life.

    A new puppy needs so much of your time and attention...it just not a good mix ( in my opinion only).

    When I've lost a pet, I have to mourn first...may take some time. And when the time is right, I would bring home a new puppy.

    But in saying all of this, every one is different. Not everyone mourns the same.

    Enjoy your dogs every day, cherish your time with them.

  9. #8
    Senior Dog
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    I agree not to think about it until you have to, but I know it’s hard.
    We’ve never been in the position of losing one without already having a younger dog around, and none of mine have done much mourning when we’ve lost another one.
    We do have young littermates now, and that is one fear I have, but I try not to think about it. We also had elderly littermates in the past, having taken one in at almost 12 when her owner was no longer able to care for her. She died at just shy of 15, but her brother who we had had from 8 weeks made it for another year, so you just never know.
    As for having a puppy with a senior dog, if the senior(s) are in good shape physically, and like other dogs, I think it can be a good thing as it keeps them more active and engaged. We got Chloe when Scully was 13 and even though Scully was pretty arthritic at the time, she loved laying on the floor and playing with the puppy. That said, we also had Mulder who was 10 and in great shape so he took on most of the puppy antics, and loved every minute of it.
    Annette

    Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
    Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015

    Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009

    And remembering:

    Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
    Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015

    And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014

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  10. #9
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    I'm one who is constantly (so it seems) counseling against getting littermates or pups too close in age. For someone who wants only 2 dogs total, 3-5 yrs between is a good number, but in this case, it's done. I really don't see a problem w/ getting a pup or younger lab as long as your seniors are doing well and get along w/ other dogs. Maybe you can try "dog sitting" for a friend in need just to test the waters??? If their noses get out of joint, then you know it's not time. If they happily accept the guest, then you can go from there. Just a thought. I too have seniors here-- Sonya at 11 and Mata almost 13 now. I try to enjoy life one day at a time since you really never know when it's their last. Anne
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