1 – Thank you to everyone who shared my pain in saying goodbye to my long-time four legged friend, Chelsie. It really does help to hear from so many of you. While I miss Chelsie and will continue to do so for a long time to come, I can look back on how unlike herself she had become and know that it was the right thing to do. We have packed up her toys and bowls and will donate them to the local shelter. (New animals will have new things.)
2 – We are already looking for another dog. Actually two. We wanted two dogs for quite some time but Chelsie never did well with other dogs. I’ve spent my events scouring Petfinder.com and the various animals shelters. Hopefully we can find one or two that click with us aged 1-3 (for at least one of them.)
3 – At least one of the dogs will be a German Shepherd rescue dog. Both my husband and I have had them in the past and miss them. I didn’t have the room for one when I got Chelsie. Tomorrow we will go to the first of what I imagine will be many events to meet a few potential dogs and see how we get along.
4 – To adopt from anywhere but the pound there is a mandatory home visit, which is fine. I can understand wanting to make sure the yard is safe, etc. But we had been spoiled in that Chelsie basically never did anything. Now that I am looking at the house through new eyes we have a lot of picking up to do. That’s okay. I’m also looking at my landscape design in the back with new eyes. One thing to be grateful for is Chelsie leaving us before the new yard is in. I need to plan for a longer expanse of grass for the dog and a dog water play area.
5 – We’re looking forward to being able to have a dog that wants to go places with us. Many of our friends have dogs that we would like to visit. We want a dog that can go to family dinners with us and play with my brother-in-law’s dog. We live in an area where many places are dog-friendly and we are anxious to get out and play.
This is so heart-warming to hear, how you can mourn, and also move on. I’m very worried about a friend with a beloved old dog, and this gives me hope for her, too. There’s no replacement, but there are new chances. Good luck with your dog meetings!
No, there are no replacements but there are so many dogs in need of a home. I hadn’t looked at the rescue/shelter sites in a while and it was overwhelmingly sad.
My husband said, “I need to make more money so we can buy a bigger house so we can have more than 2 dogs.”
We put in an application for a Shepherd/Collie mix who fell 60 feet from a cliff and is doing fine (after recovery.) I think we were #3 though so I don’t think we’ll get here.
I hope the right one is out there for your friend and that she will be open to it when the time comes. We tried to get another dog before Chelsie was gone, to ease that transition, but she wasn’t having any of that.
It’s good to see you back here, Susan. Everyone heals in their own way, and I love that you’re going to shelters to meet two dogs. They’re going to be a very lucky duo.
Thank you. Yes, some friends said they needed more time after losing a pet which I totally understand.
I’m so glad you are looking for new friends. There are plenty of them in need of a good home–and nothing beats a dog, except perhaps two dogs.
We had two dogs, so after loosing Ellie Mae last weekend, we are down to one very depressed pooch.
However, we’re not planning on getting a another dog right away. Which means us humans are having to spend time playing tug of war and wrestle with the toothy vigor of a dog. Its either that or watch her lay motionless staring at Ellie Mae’s favorite spot by the sofa.
Oh hugs to poor Ellie Mae. They do grieve their missing buddies don’t they? At least she her humans to play with and help fill the hole.
You have my sympathies for Chelsie, but you’re honoring her by bringing another (two!) pets into your home. I hope you find sweet, sweet matches.
Thank you. We feel like we gave Chelse a good life and we are looking forward to building a new one with new friends.
Oh… I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. Losing a pet is so heartbreaking. *hugs* Good luck with adding new doggies to the family.
Thank you. And happy wedding to you!
I’m sorry I missed…
the post, Susan. We lost our Katie about a year and a half ago and my bad Marine husband wept like a baby, his heart still is cracked over her loss. We got a puppy (now grown but very puppyish) three weeks later, and have not regretted it. I can see my beloved Boris dwindling down, and am not looking forward to that at all. But the idea of saving a dog or puppy from the pound will keep my heart open.
I hope you find another best companion very soon! And cyber {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{flabby armed agy hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Re: I’m sorry I missed…
Thank you, Agy. It’s amazing, isn’t it, how this animals wind their way into our hearts? I appreciate the hugs.
I love that you’re adopting two dogs now — two dogs whose lives you’ll completely change and give wonderful homes. Good luck, Susan!
Thank you! I know the right ones are out there, just waiting for us to find them.