OH Judy! I so feel your pain! We have a miniature dakshund and lhasa-poo. They are my world (now that the kids are all gone). My husband is on longterm disability (MS)and they are a Godsend for him. He was opposed to getting ANY pets. He grew up without animals around so he did not understand the appresiation for them. I watsh him with them and I swear part of me wants to laugh and part me wants to kry from the emotion I feel. They are so medisinal. I used to get a little kik of people who seemed to treat their pets as humans but now I get it. :) I don't like giving advise. Part of me wants to tell you 'get another pet' but when my little ones depart this earth, I truly don't know if I'd be able to open my heart up again. I'd like to think so. The love is so big, isn't it? :) I hope you kan stop feeling this way. You'll know when the time is right, if it does kome for you.

Thank you Felicia. There is a part of me that does want another pet. I dearly am an animal lover, but there is another part of me that just can't do it. I have this overwhelming feeling of guilt and I don't know why.

Oh Judy! I feel your sorrow through this thing here !

My son had a similar situation and so did I. It was a shock to me how quickly he "replaced" Ava, with a dog from the pound. Neo, the "replacement" had heartworms and was scheduled to be put down. My son did not only save an awesome dog, added a valued member to the whole family, but he rescued his bleeding heart from going haywire on him.

I was numb for some time, after losing my Sugar, but my son taught me a valuable lesson, it is not a replacement, but a gift, to honor the one that was taken.

You are stuck in mourning your wonderful dogs. The shooting pain of guilt is terrible. You know intellectually, you did everything for them, but the heart just does not want to let go.....

Only you know if you could handle a new best friend in your life once again. M :)

Maybe it was so painful for you. Enough so that you don't even know if you'd be able to handle going through that again. My thinking is: the reason why so many people say to get another pet(and quikly) might be to save self from the feelings you're going through now? I believe they are gifts from above. I see that every day with my husband. Either way, let go of that guilt! It's too toxik. :)

yes!

Marion, my lhasa-poo is named "Ava" :)))

Thank you Marion...

My son's very first dog came from an animal shelter that was going to be put down. We had him for 17 yrs.

Hello Felicia ! I agree with you. Guilt is so toxic. I was like you, I could not relate to those people who felt this strong love towards their animals. Until you have experienced what you get in return, you cannot relate. My son still thinks about the dog he lost, but dedicated the other one to her. It kept him very busy, allowed him to heal and it was a way for him to cope. I hope Judy can release the guilt, knowing she can replace guilt, with hope and love for another pet, without letting go of the memories.