How long do you grieve?

[JuniorxMyxLove]

How long do you wait before, if ever, getting another pet after one dies?

When my dog died, we got another puppy 2 weeks later, but tht was because my grandma's friend's daughter's dog had puppies, 9, that needed a home, so we took one.

My cat, Cole, just died last Thursday. The house seems so emptey with only Gypsy, Lexi, and Sadie. But everytime I think about maybe getting another pet, its too hard. I know its too soon. But maybe, in a few months or so...

Just wondering what your view on this was..

[Kalei]

I always think "What would my passed pet want me to do?" And whenever I think of that, I believe that my pet that died would not want me to grieve so sadly forever, but to spread my love to another and give another a grand home like the pet did I had before

[catmandu]

I mourn for My Pet Angels every day.
And I adopt the Found Cats in thier memory.
In thier name I take in the poor and homeless.

I will never ever forget my Angel Friends.



And neither will thier Cat Friends.

[jackie]

Everyone is different, so you just need to do what feels right for you.

[lvpets2002]

I think Gary said this in such a Beautiful Manner..

I mourn for My Pet Angels every day.
And I adopt the Found Cats in thier memory.
In thier name I take in the poor and homeless.

I will never ever forget my Angel Friends.


And neither will thier Cat Friends.

[heidiv]

Oh boy that is a loaded question..........How long to wait?? Like many have said its mainly up to you....From experience I had to greive a very long time for my little Cilla Sue...... She was attached to me by the hip I think at times... Not having her around really bothered me but for my other kitties I really needed to give myself and them time to adjust to Pricillas presence being gone..... I think I started to look for another pet in about a month or so. I had one type of cat that I wanted to take her spot. I still to this day cry about her.....You never forget the ones you loved so dearly.... We adopted Chloe about 1 1/2 monthes later. She was a wonderful little sweetheart she was so sick when we picked her up that it took a while to get her back to health I think that was the reason I healed so well I found some peace taking care of Chloe........ Chloe is still one of the sweetest cats I have ever owned..... But she has a different personality than Pricilla had so about a year later we adopted Paris who was a Blue Point Siamese (The same as Pricilla and the same personality also) I wouldn't take back one day of Paris's personality I just love her dearly as I do all of my cats but Paris was I believe sent to us from Pricilla

[sirrahved]

I've found it is easier if I adopt again right away. It's like they fill a little bit of the hole in your heart.

[Freedom]

It varies from person to person, from pet to pet.

When Mr. Amber Cat died, I couldn't even consider adopting for over a year. When Dazzle was gone, the house seemed so empty (we had FOUR other cats, for goodness sakes!) that in 2 weeks we had another little kitten.

The important thing for me is, the new pet is NOT taking the place of the old pet! Each pet wants to be loved and cared for in his or her own right. It's like, you love your grandmother and your grandfather. One dies. You don't love the other one in place of, but because you love that one. Hope this helps.
Sandra

[Taz_Zoee]

Freedom said exactly what I was thinking. When ever you decide to get another pet....it is not to take the place of the one that has passed. But as sirrahved said...it fills the hole in your heart.
When our DJ dog passed it was only three weeks before we got another dog. That was because the house seemed so empty without DJ. Zoee didn't replace DJ, they are two completely different dogs, with different personalities.
Now when (and I hope this is a LONG ways away) Taz leaves me, I will just see how I feel at that time and make my decisions then.
So it's really how you are feeling. Do not feel guilty if you get another cat right away. If it will make you feel better, then go for it. Cole will understand you've got lots of love to share.

[Craftlady]

The next adoption (s) always lets you know its the right time.

[jennielynn1970]

I mourn for My Pet Angels every day.
And I adopt the Found Cats in thier memory.
In thier name I take in the poor and homeless.

I will never ever forget my Angel Friends.

And neither will thier Cat Friends.

Very eloquently put, Gary.

I agree. I mourn for my past pets (my own and my fosters) every day. they were a part of my life, and that will never change.

It also all depends on the person. Everyone handles death differently. Many children, we're talking elementary school, recover from the loss of a pet quite quickly. Many times this is because they just don't really understand that death is so final, and they aren't to the point where they understand death and dying very well.

You need to decide when the time is right for you. Don't rush into anything. When the time is right, and when you meet the "right" pet to adopt/rescue, you'll know it in your heart.

Take care, and take comfort in the pets you still have with you. They can show great empathy when someone they love is grieving.

Hugs... Jennie

[orangemm]

On the windowsill above my kitchen sink I have 4 tiny pictures of some of my RB cats, so I can remember them every day. After all these years, I still miss them dearly and I hope they can somehow sense my feelings.

It's just different for everyone. Do what feels right for you.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

After my first cat Sydney passed away, I wanted to wait to get another cat. But Sydney sent us to a shelter and told Maya to yell untill we noticed her!
Thank you Sydney!!

[catlover4ever]

Everyone's mourning period is different. I'm like Gary...I miss my passed babies everyday and if and when a new one presents at my door like Scarlet did....I welcome her.....afterall it must have been one of my angels to have sent them my way.

You and only you will know when it is time...or maybe your angel Cole will send one your way.

(((HUGS))) We all know how empty you feel.

[catnapper]

I'd get another pet immediately. I don't look at it as replacement, I look at it as a homage that they were so important to you and they left such a gaping hole that you had to fill it in order to feel complete.

Just because you get another pet right away doesn't mean you no longer grieve for your lost one. I still miss my RB Tiny, and he died 20 years ago. I think another pet is important to the healing process though. (thats just me though, you already stated you think its too early, so its not good for you.)