Hi Michele,

I can't speak for myself, but I will tell you my parents recent experience.  We had dogs forever, always were a multiple dog home.  Once my sister and I left the house, there was just one dog left, our baby Basha, she was like their third child.  Basha was with us for 17 years, the last 6 years of her life was just her and my parents since my sister and I had moved out.  Towards the end of her life, my parents said "this will be our last dog" all the time.  They were retired by then and traveling a lot and also did not want to go through the pain of ever losing a dog again.  When Basha passed at the age of 17, they still said that was it, no more dog.  OK......about 2 months later, they couldn't take it.  They needed a dog in the house!  It took a while to find the right one, but it was about 2 months when they knew they couldn't live without a dog.  Honestly, if it were up to my dad, he would've probably gotten one a week later.

I will tell you, it was hard for my mom at first when they got their new puppy.  She said she didn't feel she'd ever bond with her.  She said she sure loved her, but just didnt feel that bond.  Now, a year later, my mom calls from florida (I'm currently babysitting the doggy) to facetime with her everynight and she is the light of my parents eyes.

I think this is a personal decision for everyone.  I know some people who take years to get new dogs and I know someone who recently just lost a dog and got a new one a week later.  You do what feels right and what your heart tells you.  Cadence would want you to be happy and when you find that puppy that fits in with you and your family, I know she or he will have been sent just for you, by Cadence.

xoxo,

Erica

Michelle, I couldn't agree with willowsmom more.  I truly think one of the finest ways you can honor the memory of a great dog is to give another great dog a loving forever home, but the timing is different for different people.  Some folks really do need to do a lot of grief work before making the commitment again, others can't get past the pain without a new love.  Then there are people like me that despise being without a dog so much, I have had a multi-dog family for 30 years because I have found that the grief of losing one is best comforted by putting my arms around another dog.  My personal experience is that the next dog never replaces the previous one, it just helps put those memories into a warmer, sweeter place in your heart. I volunteer in rescue so I've had a chance to love a lot of dogs and I have had 14 that were part of my family through my life.  In spite of that, I have never quit loving my very first dog and each one since is still sitting in his or her own little reserved spot in my heart. I have just been through a gut wrenching experience of losing two dogs in one week and it will be a little while before I get another one (I still have 3  and if I didn't I'd be at the animal shelter right now).  But even as bad as I feel now, I know I will make that commitment again and I know that my beautiful Shan and sweet little Lara would want and expect me to.  You are wise to give it consideration - we are each as unique as our dogs and the timing matters, but I'm betting there will be a time that it feels right for you again.  You are such a good dog "mom" and I'd bet if you don't find a dog, a dog will find you!  Dogs have a way of tracking down good dog people.

When it feels right!  I know of folks that get a new dog the very day they say goodbye to their "old" dog.  I know of friends that always have more than 1 so there's never an emptiness.  My parents waited about 9 months between the death of our 14 year old family pet and rescuing a "new" senior dog.  I know my mother set the timeline.  She didn't want to get one too soon, in a way to honor Maple's legacy.  But as she healed from Maple's departure, she became aware of the vacancy that dogs fill and started the rescue search.  Welcome, Gypsy!

Take your time.  When it's right, it's right.  I don't think there's a right or wrong way!

For me, I know I'll need to morn Jackson for a while before I can think about having another.  That said, I fully expect to feel a VERY empty house without a dog.  I'll probably long for a dog because of the space s/he fills rather than the new bond right away.  You know?

As everyone has said, this is a personal decision and there is no right or wrong. 

For me, I sort of need a dog. I need someone to take care of and so much of my life center's on dog activities. After Coal and  after Schmoozer it was less than two weeks before i was bringing a new dog home. I wasn't trying to replace the boy I'd lost. Both times I got flack from people who said it was too soon and I should wait. I don't have any regrets about what I did.

My heart aches for you. I know how hard this is.

I think I must be like your Steve.  When I lost my Sadie, the only thing that made my heart not hurt as much was looking at puppies on pet finder.  I didn't want to replace Sadie at all!  I knew I would get another dog, but I didn't want to rush anything or not deal properly with her loss.  But, I ended up adopting Aissa 1 month after Sadie passed.  Some of the reason was that I didn't want Brendol to be alone, my other dog.  But it also helped my heart.  Sadie was my sweet baby girl.  She died at 9 months old!  Aissa didn't replace Sadie, she just added more love into the house.  So please don't feel guilty.  Cadence wouldn't want that for you.  She would want you to know more love.  When you are ready, allow yourself to open your heart to another dog.