This is a subject that I have been thinking about for a long time and I would like to hear (read, whatever <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> your opinions on. And shoot, I made it far longer than I had wanted, oh well. But first I will tell you what brought this on:

This is about my Doberman Hershey whom I adopted from a shelter at the age of 8 weeks (roughly) in February 1995. In August 2004 I brought him into the vet because he was having a multitude of problems. Initially, I thought it was Wobblers because he had showed a sudden lameness in his back legs. Plus he had other problems, one being that he was rapidly losing weight. On the morning of his appointment, I had given him a bath because he smelled horrible (must have rolled in something in the backyard when I had let the dogs out). While lifting his front end into the bathtub (he usually goes in by himself but he refused to) I noticed a lump in his armpit. It had not even occured to me to check for lumps.

Well the vet confirmed that he did not have Wobblers because he was showing no pain in the neck. I did know this, but it's hard for me to tell what pains him and what doesn't, he can hide some pain very well. It is hip/back pain which I am giving him canine aspirin to help.

As for the lump, it is a fatty tumor so is non-cancerous. However, the vet had said normally he is not worried about such things but the location of this one does. He said that if not removed, it will cause damage later on as it grows because there are nerves in the armpit. Basically, he will die if it's not removed.

Weighing his options, I opted not to have the surgery. He was in poor health at the time, being 10 pounds underweight. Also, he was almost 10 years old which is another strike against him. Seniors don't have as good a chance of recovering from surgery. I decided to wait it out until the time came to have to put him down.

He is still here, at almost 11 years of age (we gave him December 15th as his birthdate). I am glad that the time between finding out about the tumor and his death has not been short, but I'm sad to say that I can feel it coming. He has gained his weight back, I believe the fatty tumor was leeching all that nutrition away so I had started free feeding him. Now I don't need to do that anymore. His tumor got bigger, but then got smaller. I don't think it can make up it's mind on what it wants to do.

That news aside, his hips have gotten progressively worse. The sockets or joints are degenerating, I can see it in how he walks. His legs push outward when he walks, but I can't tell if he is in any pain. Some dogs, especially Dobermans, hide pain well. He is also developing cataracts in both eyes, which doesn't help the situation. Sadly, I believe this will be the last year <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Which brings me to the topic of my post. Hershey's death will be very painful for me to endure, it's painful even now to think about it. I do not know what to do afterwards, I do not know if I will ever recover. I don't know how it will affect Chansey, my Pembroke Welsh Corgi either.

I have had plans on getting a puppy for quite some time now. I was thinking on when I should get this puppy. Should I wait until I heal somewhat, knowing that I may never fully heal. Or should I try to get one as soon as it is possible, my thinking is that if I put all of my time and attention (well, aside from what I will give Chansey), that maybe I can get through this better. And that maybe it would also be for Chansey's benefit as well.

Hershey can never be replaced, of course. But I also don't want to feel like I am insulting his memory by getting another so soon.

Melodie,

Sorry about your loss. I lost one at only 13 months because of cancer. It hurts. That was almost 2 years ago. I too wanted another puppy, but I decided to wait and find the perfect one. Not that she could ever replace my old one but that she could be just as good if not better, and that I was fully ready to deal with the puppy issues again.

Wait a while... I looked for almost two years. I will tell you that in the end it was worth the wait. I still have a picture of my other pup on the mantle, but I am at peace and very happy with the new pup.

Again sorry for the loss. Good luck in the future.

Melodie,

How well I understand your feelings and concerns.

Wolfgang was about 10 and failing, and we decided to get a puppy, Gustav, about two months before we knew we would have to put Wolf down. When the time came, the vet was very nice, came to the house, and we put Wolf down with the family all around him and petting him. It was very sad but strangly comforting at the same time.

And we had the puppy to immediately lavish affection on. But the puppy had a kidney problem and died about a month and a half after we had Wolf put down. It was most comforting, diverting perhaps, to have the puppy there. It was one of the most painful experiences of my life to watch the puppy deteriorate and die. Where we were prepared for Wolf's passing, we were stunned at the loss of the puppy.

Two days after the puppy died, my daughter insisted I get another puppy because she said our home was incomplete without a dog in it. I may have been a bit down. And so we got Freya. And about seven months later the kennel replaced Gus with Maximus. And a few months ago I adopted Brio from a GSD rescue organization. Three GSDs in the house is an interesting experience.

So... My offering is to get a puppy before you have Hershey put down. It has nothing to do with insulting his memory. Perhaps he will see that you are not replacing him but keeping him close to you through the puppy. WEolf seemed to understand. You can celebrate the life of your dog, and have the comfort of the puppy to help you tend to your emotions. Our plan didn't work because of a prank of nature but I know you will be more fortunate.

You will need the clatter of claws on the floor. I think my favorite dog of all, and I care for them all, was Gus.

Best wishes to you. I hope whatever you choose that you will be mindful of all the good times. And you will have Chansey to help you.

Mike A.

Melodie,
I'm sorry for the pain you are feeling about now. Watching your old friend deteriorate is very difficult. However, I think we need to remember to do what is in the best interest of the dog, and not hold on for ourselves. I've gone through the experience several times, and it has become somewhat easier to recognize "the time" so to speak. I will do what is necessary to minimize suffering. That being said...listen to your heart, it will tell you when you are really ready to give of yourself to a new dog. I also believe, that our dogs "find" us when the time is right. You will know, and then when you begin to look or feel more at ease with the memories, your new partner will come into your life!!
Hang in there, give all of your love right now to your elderly friend.

With Regards,
Linda

You'll be getting the full spectrum of advice and experiences on this subject, but it all comes down to what you decide will personally work best for you.

When we rescued Rocco 8 yrs ago, we had decided to wait a few months after our previous GSD, Nixie, died of cancer. Well, it turned out to be more like a few weeks, as there was a loneliness in the house that wasn't comfortable. When Rocco died suddenly a couple months ago, it was only about a week before we were looking to rescue another - and we did.

During the looking process, I found something written by playright Eugene O'Neill after the passing of his family Dalmation -
http://www.eoneill.com/texts/blemie/contents.htm It's worth a read.

The part that especially hit home with me was...
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. What I would like to feel is that, having once had me in the family, now she cannot live without a dog!

i have treated and owned dobies; more than one vet has told me that they have a higher pain threshold than a lot of other dogs. i believe this is true. however, as far as getting a new dog soon, i have found it to be helpful to give myself some space/time to deal with the loss of one dog before getting another--every time i've rushed into another dog, it's not been as good as i thought it should be.
but i've always been trying to get a dog as good as my tessa, and it's never worked. my problem, not the dog's. it has, however, taught me that some time is a good thing when getting a dog to "replace" one that's gone.
FWIW...

I am dealing with this issue now. I lost my 9-year-old GSD suddenly on Oct. 21, 05, to hemangiosarcoma. One day she's vibrant, appearing to be in peak health and condition, and the next day she's dead of a silent, aggressive killer. The shock and loss of the finest creature I've ever known has been devastating. Her absence is torture.

The thoughts and feelings in contemplating another are complex. Dogs are the joy of my life, and for the one just gone, I spared no expense or effort. To the best of my ability I tried to provide the finest care and environment and to protect her from harm. The eventual futility of my efforts scares me. Mind you, I didn't expect her to live forever, but too, I wasn't prepared to lose her so suddenly to of all things, cancer, the one disease I'd tried so hard to shield from her.

I desperately want another GSD - having had one purebred, I'm hooked for life. But it's been a long time since I've had a baby and a youngster, and I want to be very sure I'm ready for that commitment. Appropriate training takes years and a lot of energy, and I want to be sure I'm up to the task. And I want to be certain I'm prepared to accept a new dog as an individual and to not compare her to the one I lost. I'm hoping to find a great puppy in the same bloodline as my last dog - her temperament, for one thing, was so outstanding - and it would be so meaningful to have a cousin, but it will probably be several months or more before such a dog is available. For now, that's just fine with me. I still have a lot of grieving to do and a lot of soul searching to get my head right for the next one.

I don't know if this is helpful to you...As another post said, just FWIW.

Melissa

So sorry! I forget to check message boards often.

Thank you all for your advice, it is greatly appreciated. On a happy note, Hershey's 11th birthday was celebrated on December 15th, with him! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I had long been afraid he would be short-lived as he obviously came from a byb so I was expecting the worse with health problems and such. What he is going through now is not Dobe-related, just general dog old age stuff.

I will most likely not rush into getting a new puppy, Schutzhund prospects don't grow on trees <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> and that is what I am looking for. I will however, get one as soon as one becomes available, I'm not expecting on it happening soon.

Now that snow is upon us again, I thought that we could have a little fun. I used to throw snowballs at him and he would try to catch them, but he does not show interest anymore. And that saddens me, but I know he is not the same dog he used to be. So I just spent the time chucking them at Chansey, which was fun <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />