Question: I lost a pet about nine months...

I disagree about switching breeds. You loved that breed for a reason and I doubt seriously you would resent another for not being like your late friend. I have had two pair of bonded akitas and I know, I will always have akitas, because they left a pawprint on my heart. I wish you healing and happiness.

I lost a dog when I was 14. I'd only had her for a year, but I mourned her for months. She was hit by a car when we let out. I still cry about her and I'm 24 now. I lost two other dogs when I was 19 and I still cry for them also. They had to be put down after killing a rabid raccoon that was trying to kill their puppies. We had to put the puppies down also. While I will never forget those dogs, things will get better. I read somewhere that after loosing a pet it is best to get another one as soon as possible. It will never be the same as your old pet but it will help with the greiving process. I got my last dog three years ago. My dad wasn't ready for a new dog, but he instantly fell in love with Belle. He now won't let me take her with me when I move out because he claims she is his dog. You may never feel ready for a new dog, but if you do get one, you may be surprised.

It is very painful loosing a dog.. My last pup was named Orion and though i wanted a dog i couldnt have one but that changed after someone found him in a box on the side of the street and gave him to me. He was like my baby, totally unplanned but i fell in love with him nevertheless. He died of parvo about 5 months after i got him and it was the worst thing i have ever gone through... he was everythin i wanted in a dog and more. If youre not ready to get another dog then dont.. you should get one when you feel its right and when you see one and instantly fall in love with it... I almost got another pup but this time a female but decided against it.. It didnt feel right and I thought I dont want the dog feeling that Im just not into it, if that makes sense.. What Im tryin to get to is take your time. Dont get another dog thinking that will solve your problem, nothin will replace your loss but with time you can learn to accept and let go and fall inlove with a whole new dog.

I lost my border collie, who I'd had for nine years, in July of '09. She followed me everywhere I went, slept with me and cried if I was outside without her. She developed a tumor behind her ear and I finally couldn't stand to see her suffering, so we had her put to sleep. There are days where I still miss her so much it hurts, days where I see pictures and dissolve into tears. We have other dogs, and our Jack Russel has started sleeping with me... it makes it bearable, but it doesn't make it better. What I'm getting at is that it will take a long, long time before your mourning period is over. Don't let anyone let you feel guilty about it or tell you to get over it. Cry if you need to, don't be ashamed.

As for getting another dog, I want another dog I can bond with like I did with her, but I know that I'm not ready for it. The others we have are good distractions, but sometimes I will admit that I resent them for being alive when my girl is not. It's something you have to sit down and think about - ask yourself, am I going to resent this dog? and be totally and completely honest. There's no saying that while you might resent a new dog right now, that you will in another three months. Just give it time and trust your heart.

I would ball my eyes out if one of my pets died. Even though one of them can be a huge grouch, I still love him. What I would suggest to you is take the time to just set and figure out what you want to do. If you buy a new dog, buy the dog you want just make sure the reason isn't because she/he looked like your old dog. Sorry about your lost.

yeah, it's painful losing a faithful friend that has been with you for years... but you need to go on, your dog does not want you to sulk in a corner and mourn and mourn and mourn... he also wants the best for you so go get another dog but I strongly recommend that it must not be of the same breed because you'll just end up comparing... hope this works...

same as me..yesterday i had been lost my hamster..likes my world is end..but now i better get up bacause if i just keep crying,thats just useless..yes yesterday i crying a lot & really no spirit..now i am still remember him but i try to be ok..i will never forget our memories,its still in my mind..now i am not thinking to got a new hamster..just maybe one day..the time will come.. x'(

I have been in this situation with my cat. I had a black cat with a little white fur on her chest, I called her lucky. Well, I was young back then, 5 or so, and my family were moving far away, so we gave the cat to a close neighbor of my parents. I really missed her. My parents promised me a new cat, but like you, it didn't feel the same, it felt like I was betraying my cat so long ago! With my parents insistance, they brought home a new cat, and although it didn't replace the pet I had, I had another spot in my heart to love this new pet! her name was patches. she had kittens, I named them Tobi, Gizmo and Muffin. Tobi unfortunately got hit by a car, and I was devistated! but I had Gizmo until he died of a dog bite, (so sad) thatthe vet couldn't fix,and muffin was actually given to a neighbor at a young age. But I had Patches until she was old, and senile, and she was an absolute love! I still consider her my mother's cat though, because she followed mom everywhere! (the person who feeds, becomes the favorite human) but I also had a dog named scottie, who was half poodle, and half scottish terrier. In my adult years, I have always had a cat, up until recently. Sara I had for 7 years, she died of old age, and Boots, a black and white tortoise cat, reminded me alot of Lucky. I had to give boots back though unfortunately, because he had a rare breathing disorder (long story!)
So, pets come and go in our lives. They are special little angels that when they are with us, can get us through the roughest times. I know a few readers on here oppose to having the same pet, but I have known people, including one of my closest friends who will only have boxers around because her first dog was such a great dog, and a protector of her house and children. She still misses her first dog, and I do too, but I am sure our beloved pets are in their special heavens and know they had a special place in our hearts. don't close your heart up, and expand your love, regardless if it is with the same type of pet, or not! your pet will always love you!

Allow yourself to mourn. Personally, 9 months isn't a lot to fully "move on" from the pain.

Getting another dog might be what you need. I don't know your connection to the breed but I don't think it has to be the same breed. However, you still don't "feel right" about getting another dog and that's a very important thing.

This might sound extreme but maybe you should get some therapy. You need a way to move on from this place you're at.

I had the same thing happen to me actually. We had our dog(sebastian) for my first 17 years of my life. He was the only dog I've ever loved. Unfortunately, he got a tumor and had to be put down. We all felt so guilty afterward and it hit our whole family really hard. You can never replace that pet. It's was a part of your family. My dog dying hit me as hard as a family member being deceased. It's a very sad thing, but just like with family members, you have to remember that they're in a better place now. It gets better in time, but we still talk about sebastian all the time. And we miss him terribly. But you have to move on. Getting another dog of the same breed is probably not a good idea. Because they will never be the same as your beloved dog, and it will just make it hurt worse. I'd say buy a new puppy, in a different breed and raise it and love it with the same love that you showed to your dog, and things will get easier. The new puppy will never replace your memories of your dog, but it can be a nice distraction. And eventually, you'll stop crying over it, and you'll start laughing remembering all the silly things it did.
It does get easier, I promise.