Oh my goodness, I just did it!

[jennielynn1970]

Whomever you choose, let's arrange a play date!!! I think Woody would love to meet Nicki and either of the other dogs you choose.

[Sevaede]

Millie is an English Springer Spaniel? She is such a cutie! Kind of reminds me of a Clumber, as well. Brooke is an absolute doll! Very cute. I hope you find the exact right pupper for you at the exact right time for you.

[K9karen]

You need to do what your heart tells you. Period.

Brooke looks like my RB Cody, a yellow lab mix! But Millie is adorable too! Hmmmm. hard decision..2 different, awesome dogs!

Thank you for taking such loving, gentle care of Nicki. I know it's terribly difficult.

[Cookiebaker]

Wow, I found that some of the criticisms here are pretty harsh. I think to each individual, when and how and where to get a new pup is intensely personal. And certainly I don't think that Catnapper is viewing a new pup as a "replacement"....

Kim, here's a {{hug}} and I am sure that the right pup will find its way into your heart at just the right time. And here's to Nicki, and the wonderful life that she has and all the fun times you have had together.

[Husky_mom]

Don´t feel guilty Kim... as Cookiebaker said... it´s up to an individual when and how to add a new member.... and I soooo understand it

In my case I would be devastated if I lost a dog and had no other, not to replace as no dog will ever replace another, but to help me mourn ths lost one.. make me shift my attention into giving love into that other one, and not let myself depress more.... a seond dog will be able to help ease the situation but not forget it and never ever will he replace your lost dog´s place in your heart.... and this second dog would not be just "used"...

when loosing a dog it´s hard itself but I feel personally it´s more painful if you have no one else there to cheer you up as another dog would.... I mean there´s family and kids.... but it´s not the same.... I love my kid very much but he just wouldn´t understand how I felt... and hubby, parents, bro and sis....well.... they would just not get it at all... and a dog is always the best listener and the best furry shoulder to lean on....and cry on....

I so hope Nikki will be fine for the time she has left...and if adding a second dog bothers her more than brighten her up I´m sure there´s always a way of keepeing them separated and still give both of them quality time... the newcomer so he gets adjusted and bonded, and Nikki so she has her lasting moments full of love as she always has...

in Kim´s case, if she lost a cat,(not saying it won´t hurt like hell, but) she has other cats to ease the pain... and if she lost her only dog..... there´s no other dog around....

and it´s not like finding a replacement once the dog is gone, but we know our dogs and know almost when it´s their time.... some may wonder why is Nikki allowed to suffer if no meds are making her better??.... well let me tell you we as humans are selfish and want to try the impossible to keep our pets as long as we can...it´s hard on it´s own to loose them on their terms, but I think it´s harder to loose them on our terms (PTS)... but if needed we will always make the right decision but not the easiest one...

Kim: whichever pup you choose they are lovely.....but I´m leaning also to Millie.... those spots are way too cute!!....

[carole]

Kim whatever choices you make will be the right ones, you and you alone know what is best for your dog, and we all know you as a very responsible pet owner,personally i think she is in very good hands, and very lucky to have such a good mom,if you need to ease her pain,by letting her go ,then you will know when to do just that.

Everyone is different and deals with such things in their own way, if thinking about getting a new pup takes your mind off what is happening with your dog, then it is all good.

It will all work out in the end, and bless you for taking such good care of your dog,here's hoping she is not going to suffer much longer.

[lizbud]

and it´s not like finding a replacement once the dog is gone, but we know our dogs and know almost when it´s their time.... some may wonder why is Nikki allowed to suffer if no meds are making her better??.... well let me tell you we as humans are selfish and want to try the impossible to keep our pets as long as we can...it´s hard on it´s own to loose them on their terms, but I think it´s harder to loose them on our terms (PTS)... but if needed we will always make the right decision but not the easiest one...

Well said.

[Pam]

I brought a new puppy into a household with a 13 year old dog. The senior dog, Pumpkin, was a toy poodle and the puppy, Ashley, was a mini. I did find that the senior dog was not at all interested in playing with the puppy. They got along OK but there was no bonding as Pumpkin was just too old for any kind of play. In your case, a dog in pain might not feel well enough to interact. This is not a criticism but, rather, so that you don't feel that something is wrong if they don't strike up a friendship. My senior dog did live another 4 years after we adopted the puppy. He was never in pain but was deaf, blind from dense cataracts and was developing a serious incontinence problem. It was our choice to eventually help him to the bridge at the age of 17. Had he been in pain, with no remedy for the pain, he would have had to leave us earlier. Each case is different, but I wish you well. Out of the two pictures posted I fell quickly for Millie. Please give Nicki some extra hugs from all of us.