| When your pet dies, it is very traumatic. Many | | | | provide that care, and not simply look at the new |
| people find comfort in creating memorial gardens | | | | pet as a less-well-behaved nuisance that falls short |
| in their yards with pet grave markers or in finding | | | | of your expectations. |
| the perfect pet urn to honor their lost friend. | | | | For dogs especially, it is important to be over the |
| They may write pet memorials, and go through | | | | grieving process. Dogs need a strong pack leader, |
| the stages of grieving for the pet. This process | | | | and can mistake grief for ambivalence or |
| may take weeks, or even months, depending on | | | | weakness. This can lead to long term behavior |
| the bond between the pet parent and the pet, | | | | problems that make it very difficult for you to |
| and the depth of the grief. However, sooner or | | | | ever develop a strong and loving relationship with |
| later, most pet owners find themselves faced | | | | your new dog. While a new dog can help you to |
| with the inevitable question: am I ready for | | | | get over the final stages of grief, if you are still |
| another pet? | | | | unable to think about your old pet without crying, |
| Everyone knows, of course, that one pet can't | | | | or feel that you are not emotionally strong |
| replace the loss of another. However, most pet | | | | enough to give your all to a new dog, it is best to |
| owner's miss the companionship, the exercise, and | | | | wait until you are feeling stronger. |
| the love that having a pet brings to their lives. | | | | Once you have made the decision, you need to |
| Without this presence, after a time they begin to | | | | find a pet that is compatible with your lifestyle. A |
| feel that something is missing and start to | | | | dog breeder or a rescuer will understand the |
| consider the purchase of a new pet companion to | | | | temperament of the dogs and cats that they are |
| make their home's complete again. | | | | adopting out, and can help match you with a dog |
| It is important to ensure that you are emotionally | | | | or cat that matches your household needs and |
| ready before bringing home a new pet. First, you | | | | energy level. You must remember that this will be |
| must understand that this pet is not a | | | | an adjustment period for both you and the cat or |
| replacement. You must be ready to accept and | | | | dog you bring home, and you should not expect |
| love a new dog or cat, and not simply wish for | | | | to fall into a relationship that is immediately as |
| your old cat or dog back. If you plan on adopting | | | | comfortable and loving as the one you shared |
| a young animal, remember that if your pet was | | | | with your previous pet. This relationship will be |
| older, this young pet will be a dramatic change. A | | | | different, and bring different joy to your life, so |
| young pet is not as well trained as an older pet | | | | you must be ready and open to embracing the |
| and requires a great deal more care and | | | | unique quirks and characteristics that your new |
| attention- you must be emotionally prepared to | | | | pet brings with it. |