My boxer passed away almost 6 weeks ago. She was 11 years old. Before we had her, we had a male boxer who lived to be 14. The one who died recently was my life and I'm still absolutely devastated that she's gone. What I'm also really struggling with though is that there is no boxer in the house. I was about 3 years old the last time that we didn't have a boxer...and I can't really remember that time. The house just feels so dead. I always said I wouldn't get another one once the most recent one passed away, as we loved her so much and it would feel like someone was taking her place. The thing is though, the house is just unbearable. I've been looking at pictures of other breeds but I couldn't have any other...our family have a long history of boxers going back to when my dad was a child. I think I really want another boxer dog, but at the same time I don't as I would feel like I was hurting the one we most recently lost. Has anyone else felt this way after loosing a pet?

We have always had multiple dogs or cats, but even when one of them dies it is so quiet and so strange for a while. I think having just recently passed the one year since we lost our beloved Molliepops I am finally able to talk about her with out floods of tears so time is healing very slowly.

I don't know what to say that will help, we had to confront it head on and get a puppy because our other dog was so unhappy, so we had a puppy to help us but I know that isn't for everyone.
It's no different to losing any family member IMO although I do think because we are closer to our dogs I think I feel their loss even more than when my parents died, it's more like a child dying (yes we have lost children before anyone yells at me so I know how it feels).

I lost my Meggie (Jack Russell) just over two years ago. I did join Pet Rescue groups looking to give a dog a new home but I couldn't do it. I just think it was too soon for me. However this year I think I am ready to move forward and hope to add to our family soon.

I don't think there is a right or a wrong way to react as grief is very personal and it is what is right for you and not how others think or judge you.

Sorry for your loss and just do what feels right for you Ozzy .

So sorry for your loss, it's a devastating time for you.....
We lost our beloved Rottweiler on the 1st October last year, it happened very suddenly and it tore our hearts apart, got to say that almost 21 weeks later that the pain is still very raw, some people will say "it's only a dog" I'm sorry but it doesn't work like that, the grief felt is unbearable at times!
The hole left by a much loved pet hits very hard!
We vowed that we would never have another one and we got to the stage that we were watching Rottie videos on the Internet and torturing ourselves by looking at puppies for sale, we've gone through the guilt and feeling of being unfaithful to our lost boy.
I'm happy to say that we decided that we couldn't go forward without Rottie Love in our lives and we picked our 8 week old puppy yesterday (22nd Feb) he's wonderful.
We never done it to replace our big boy and this puppy will be loved and treated the same way as he was!
We've learned that you can't torture yourself about what you should or shouldn't do but at the same time think about the great life you can give a dog and the love you'll receive in return.......
Wishing you well in whatever you decide to do, we and lots of others on this forum wil know exactly what your going through.....

Good Luck

Could you foster? Quite a few organisations looking for temporary homes. That way you aren't being disloyal and helping some deserving little woofers too.

I really feel for anyone that has lost a pet, especially a much loved dog...I lost my dog 3 weeks ago this thursday....I miss him so much
Yes, the house is very empty without him, my van is too as he was with me at work every day.
I hope you get back that fulfilment your dog gave you!

We lost our Labrador Jess over Christmas and we had a terrible time for weeks but it does get easier as time passes, we couldn't just replace her as she meant everything to us.

But 3 weeks ago we got a 7 month old labrador after thinking a lot about whether we should get another, he'll never replace Jess and we'll never forget her but it's great to have a dog in the house again and it's a motivation to go out for a walk.

We tried all the local shelters and couldn't find another Labrador but were fortunate to find one for sale, no regrets at all as he's a lovely dog and it's nice to give a him a good home.

There're plenty of nice dogs out there that need homes.

So sorry you lost your furry friend. I think the best way to honour your dog's memory is to give another a chance of the loving home you have to share. You can never replace a dog but you can fill the emptiness in the house. Fostering is a good idea if you're not ready to take on another just yet.

Would you consider greyhounds/whippets/lurchers? Sighthound rescues are always desperate for foster carers and forever homes. They don't need much walking and are affectionate and very quiet and lazy in the house so would be a subtle presence. Maybe fostering a quiet soul would help heal.

Sorry about your beloved dog Ozzy.
Our Greyhound passed away 1 year ago this month, since then we've re-homed another lovely, young Greyhound. He'll never replace our previous dog and we never got him to try and do that. We just wanted to give another unwanted Grey a home and also because its great having a dog in our lives. Like you say, the house can be terribly empty when a pet passes on, that's how we were too. To be honest, getting another Grey was the best move for us, 1 year on we still miss our old boy dearly.
Best wishes to you

See Leo Getz's words to Riggs in the graveyard scene at the end of the last Lethal Weapon film. Very fitting.

I can not bear to go though the death of a much loved dog again, also my lifestyle has changed now so I can not be at home as much as I feel I should be to get another dog.

I take dogs from a animal rehoming centre walks at times still.
I also look after a friends dog for long weekends at times so I get my dog fix that way as well.

I am so sorry your pal has died OP, I know what you mean about the house being empty.

Yes I felt like this back in April 2003 when my dog died who we'd had for approx 13 years. I loved her to bits and was absolutely devastated when she had to be put to sleep. I said at the time I didn't want another dog because I didn't wanna go through all that heartbreak again. I also felt guilty towards my dog who had died, in the same way that you do. But time is a healer as they say and I just found the house to be so empty without a dog. Ended up getting another one in July 2003, which was 4 months after my other dog had died. Still have him and he's 13 now so I'm starting to wonder how long he has left and I'm really dreading the day when his time comes. But I don't for a minute regret getting him. He's loved just as much as my previous dog was.

I agree with this so much. So many rescue dogs would love the chance of having a good home.

We went years without having a dog after we lost our old girl, I think somestimes you can leave it too long and talk yourself out of it. For all those years the house felt empty and there was a dog shaped hole. We finally got another dog, a big black greyhound, but lost him within 2 years. Within 4 weeks we rehomed two female greyhounds, and it felt the right thing to do.

Awwww, it makes me feel so very sad. I am sorry for your loss OP.

I worry a lot about when one of my babies go. I used to have Persian cats and when they died it broke my heart - but somehow it will be even worse when the dogs pop off. They are my companions, the love I feel for them is massive. When Im not with them, I think about them and hope they are OK. When I go up to bed the last thing I do is drop a kiss on both of their heads .... and the thought of that head not being there kills me.

I think I would have to get another dog. Not as a replacement, but because I need those warm, hairy and loving bodies in my life.

While I feel your pain, really I do, you can't think of it this way. Your dog is now beyond being hurt, beyond all pain. I'm sure you gave her a good life and this is all any of us can do. If you can give another dog a good home, then you'll be doing a good thing. Should you fail to provide a home to a dog that needs ones because of misplaced guilt? Ask yourself that.

Also, it troubles me a bit when I hear dog owners go on about how they have some kind of family tradition of keeping only one breed. Choose a dog that suits you, your home and your lifestyle. In fact, in this case, it might be better to choose something completely different so that you're not tempted to expect the new dog to be just like your old one.