Saying goodbye to my close friend

[Skools Out]

sorry for your lose, Only time will heal the hole in the heart from those 4 legged friends we have.

[THEFERMANATOR]

In 06 I had to have my baby put to sleep as well. I had raised her from 4 weeks old and drug her along with me through everything growing up, but after 13 years she developed a brain tumor and I couldn't handle seeing her suffer anymore. It hurts still to this day, but at least I know I didn't make her suffer and just remember the good memories I had with her. Unfortunately I'm getting ready to have to go through it again. My dad's dog that he had before he passed I took, and he is now about 10 years old. I left for my honeymoon 7-1 and when I got him back from the vet 2 weeks later I could see a definate change in him. I hope it's just from being at the kennel that got him worked up, but he is old and had a hard life. As for a new dog, I actually had a stray that showed up 3 weeks after I had to put my baby to sleep. She had been beaten badly, but after 3 months she finally warmed up to me. Now 2 1/2 years later she's one of the family.

[shubey61]

Sorry to here about ur loss, It just plains sucks. Been there & done it multiple times. I just couldn't do it without a four legged friend. Have always had dogs in my lifetime. Nothing will ever replace ur buddy,but you will know when ur ready for another. as the old saying goes, the more people I know....The better i like my dog[s]. As I write this my 3 are sittin here watching me.

[tsubaki]

As far as time to get another,
We seem to have this knack for picking up strays at opportune times.
I'm sure all it is the fact that we're ready to have another at that precise time. We don't go a very long in between dogs.
Don't go looking (well I wouldn't), the best ones seems to always find you.

[CaptJ]

So sorry about your buddy. I know my 14+ year old chocolate lab is getting up there and it is going to be a tough one. Like yours she has been a great friend. Her hips are getting weak and she is slowing down.

Can't give you any advice on when you will be ready to get a new family friend, it is a personal thing that your family can only dicide when you are ready. Just keep in mind it is much easier to house train'em in the warmer months then winter, if that helps. I usually plan spring just for that reason.
Here's to her and God bless

On Charlie's note, I use to have a bumper sticker on my truck that read, "the more people I meet, the more I like my dog."