“I don’t want another dog,” I reminded my family as I reluctantly trailed behind them toward the doors of the Humane Society. “They need to be fed, bathed, taken to the vet, taken for walks and of course be cleaned up after…and you know who’s going to end up doing that.” I continued with my tirade.
The truth was I didn’t have the heart to strictly forbid my family from finding another pet to love. Our beloved 11-year-old black Lab had died unexpectedly the day after Thanksgiving. We were just barely coming to grips with our loss when our nearly 19-year-old cat died the next week.
The double loss was hard on our entire family, but somehow, I think it was hardest on me. I wouldn’t be so brash as to say that I loved our pets more than anyone else, but I was with them more. They were a constant part of my daily life. Not having my two companions underfoot left me feeling raw and empty. I was having a really hard time dealing with the overwhelming grief.
The rest of my family wanted to fill the void by getting another dog right away. After all, that’s what everyone said to do. Yet everything in me screamed that it was the wrong thing to do. How could we possibly replace our beloved pets like they were interchangeable parts of LEGO™ toys? Besides, I didn’t think that I could endure losing another friend in just a few years time.
Still, for the sake of my family, I found myself at The Pound for the fourth time. If we were going to get another dog, we felt it was important to create a home for an unwanted dog instead of going to a breeder or pet store. Yet it seemed as though we weren’t going to find the perfect fit for our family. (I was the only one who wasn’t upset about that.) One dog chased cats, this one needed a special diet, that one needed extensive training and yet another needed to be the only pet in the house.
Then we spotted a litter of puppies that had just been put up for adoption. Gazing at those sweet faces, I felt a softening in my heart. Maybe … just maybe … I could allow myself to open up to another being. Maybe I could let the open wounds in my heart heal up and allow myself to fall in love again.
Sam has been part of our family for two months now. To be perfectly honest, he’s a big pain in the neck … yet his joyful antics bring a grin to the faces of everyone he comes in contact with. Although he’s still a very young puppy, it seems as though he has been with us forever. As much as I didn’t want another dog, I don’t know what I would do without Sam. He’s always nearby, sprawled at my feet sound asleep or trying to eat my shoes.
Apparently everyone who said to get another dog was right. I don’t view Sam as a replacement. No creature on earth could replace our special pets. Some people may claim that they are just animals…but to us they were a part of the family. I still miss them…I suspect that I will always miss them.
This small puppy, just by his very existence, has taught me that life really does go on. We may suffer what seem to be devastating losses but it’s okay to move on.
And it’s certainly okay to fall in love again…
Photo Credits
Courtesy of Susan Ivory. All rights reserved.
Dan L. Hays says
It took a long time for me to get over losing my sweet cat Samantha. Like you, she had been part of my daily life, and left a big hole in my world. Then it was time to fill that hole. I adopted two kittens, not from the same litter, but who got along well. And now Winston and Little Bit brighten my world daily! I can sit for hours and just watch their wrestling matches and antics. Yes, I will always miss Samantha, but like you, I found life does go on, and having that warmth in my world was much missed and needed! Thanks for this wonderful article, Susan! 🙂
Judi says
I miss my pups so much. There is a hole in my heart that won’t heal. And yet my husband doesn’t want another. I don’t feel I can bring another dog into our lives unless everyone is on board. It breaks my heart. I’m glad you changed your mind.
Jenn @ Juggling Life says
Oh, is he cute.
Pamela says
kinda makes me wanna puppy.
Christine says
This is very sweet, and I love the pictures. I think it’s great that you were able to make room in your life for a new family member, even though you were afraid to. I’ll try to remember that.
Plus, how cool is it that you get to write for this site? Congratulations! You deserve it! 🙂
Kerrry Slavens says
I love your story. My family lost our Golden Retriever two years ago and I’ve never stopped missing her, especially on family holidays which she always played a major role in. Thank you for your beautiful post! I wish you much happiness with your puppy!