Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Do You Believe in Life (With a Dog) After Love (With a Dog)?
I think (know) that after Piney, we’ll eventually get another dog. Ira thinks we won’t. Who’s right? Vote in comments.
Labels:
cheating in my heart,
guilt,
next dog
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18 comments:
I came to live with my family after Mr Piglet died. They loved him a lot but I think that having me helped them move on. Plus, I'm so naughty, it keeps them too busy to be sad. So, when one day far far away, Piney goes away, I think you will get another dog to love. xox
Dogs are magic. They keep you present. You'll get another dog.
I know it will be very hard, and for a long time you might not be ready, but I think you and Ira will miss the click-clack of paws on the floor and the thumping of excited tails. You both will miss the snuggle fests, walks, and their individual quirks and personalities that great dogs like Piney have. I know there is life and love after a dog, and you will enjoy it with a new dog that is lucky enough to be chosen to be in your family. You both are outstanding owners/parents and should spread the love, if and when you are ready. :)
You guys are definitely going to get another pittie, they are the best dogs ever!
Its a hard call....I always think when my cat passes on i could never get another because no one else could ever measure up to him. But i love cats (and dogs!) so much i'm not sure I could have a life without them.
I think you maybe will have another dog eventually but you would love it in a much different way to Piney, and you will maybe get a totally different type of dog. there will only ever be one Piney!
Absolutely, I think you and Ira will get another dog. it may take some time, but you are both fantastic doggie parents, and at some point after Piney is gone, another puppy will find its way to you and both of your lives will be better for it. You'll never replace Piney, but that's not what it's about. Each dog is different and your relationships are different. And each one can be equally rewarding in its own way. Trust me, I've been there.
In the meantime, give Mr. Piney a hug from me. I really hope he starts feeling better soon.
Elizabeth
Thanks for weighing in with such eloquence, everyone.
Beebe, when are YOU going to get another dog?
I had to weight in even though you have received wonderfully supportive advice from all. So, I called an emergency meeting with my resident canines today and they were adamant, “yes, absolutely there is life after loving a special dog and yes, even love!” They reminded me that, the one thing we, as the lover of all things canine, are very good at, is having the capacity to love many dogs. The important thing is to honor the memory of your first dog without causing your new dog to live in the shadow of the previous dog. So, my answer to your question: I think you are far too nurturing to live a life without a dog. After all, dogs love you no matter what your mood is, don’t hold a grudge, are ecstatic to see you when you get home (even if you were only gone 10 minutes to get the mail) and would follow you to the ends of the earth no questions asked. With that kind of love, how could you not want to have another dog in your life? So, hopefully Piney’s little sibling will be a happy, healthy puppy with a fantastic immune system who loves everyone, so that you can be a relaxed doggie mommy the next time around. And in my vision, PIney is still with you helping to raise the new baby right!
uh, you TOTALLY will! though it might take some time . .
Probably not while I live here--I'm never home, my roommate has two cats, etc. I'd have to return to a studio-in-the-apartment for consider re-dogging.
I know this is Ira's first experience with a dog, so it may colour his views on dog ownership, but you are a total dog person, so I can't see you never having a dog again. It's only a question of when.
Sure you will. After my first Sheltie died in 1989, I thought I would never have another dog. A couple of years and a move later, there was this small, brown dog named Cindy, abandoned by the owners of a house two doors down. She had never had dog food, never been bathed or brushed, or taken to the vet, had her shots and medical care, or loved. She died twelve years later at the age of sixteen. Now we have a 10 year old Sheltie. Life is richer for love of a dog. You know that.
My parents' 17 year old dog had to be put down at the end of April (the day after LOST ended, and boy was I a wreck over it all!). Before she passed, my parents insisted that they would not get another dog, that Millie was the last.
Anyhoo, about two weeks ago my mom sent me a text message with a photo attached. The text stated "meet my new man" - she adopted a three year old beagle mix. And they just installed a new fence for him, so it looks like he is here to stay.
I sometimes think that once you get used to the sweet face of a dog, its just hard to not have it around anymore. I hope you will always have a dog!
I think you will get another dog. You have too amazing a connection with these guys to not let another one find you.
And let's face it, any other dog would be, literally, a walk in the park.
One of my favourite quotes I've read comes from a "last will & testament of the dog" which states ....
One last request I earnestly make. I have heard my Mistress say, "When Blemie dies we must never have another dog. I love him so much I could never love another one." Now I would ask her, for love of me, to have another. It would be a poor tribute to my memory never to have a dog again.
When you are ready you will share your heart with another dog.
I may have had a dream where Piney out-lived us all...I was in half-sleep and the photo of him as a pup against the white and yellow gingham kept interchanging with the star child image from 2001, like a meditation on transience, permanence and being. dog is the alpha and the omega?
After the loss of our much loved Schnauzer, Gretel ... I didn't think my husband could bear the thought of another dog.
I, on the other hand, couldn't wait ... I hated being dogless.
We got Cluny less than a month later ... and the miracle that he performed by healing my husband's broken heart was amazing.
You guys! These comments are so great. I keep reading them over and over. Thank you.
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