Our Dog Died & Our Family Wants to Get a New One. Why?

Posted on April 12, 2019 by Chris Messina under Uncategorized
Leave a comment

When a beloved pet dies, the death leaves a void in its human owner’s life. There will be no jumping, wagging greeting waiting for them when they come home. Every pet owner knows there are days when the walk, or cleaning the litter, is more dreaded than enjoyed. But when the chore is gone, they feel the loss. Sure, they have their popcorn all to themselves. But they miss their fur friend. They miss those expectant eyes looking up at them waiting for a kernel of the human treat. Their pet is gone and it is missed!

So, what about getting a new dog? Getting new dog or cat is not for everyone. But for some pet lovers, that void, the hole in their life, is unbearable. They seek to fill the hole. They need that fur baby to take for a walk, to feed, to talk to, to sleep on their feet, to be glad they are home.  

Fair warning to the mourning owner, a new pet is not a replacement for the beloved pet that has passed. Just as when we lose a human family member, the individual cannot be replaced. The pet that died was unique, one of a kind. There will never be another cat or dog just like your fur friend. For those who need to get a new dog, or cat, or bird, or snake, it’s the role the pet played in their life they seek to fill. There is just a need to fill the hole death has left in their life.  

The pet who passed isn’t forgotten. People who have had multiple pets have a whole string of memories and stories. Those memories stay. They are with them always.

Pets enrich our lives. So, for some the need to have a new pet is almost immediate.  Others need more time. Some fill the hole in another way entirely. Try not to judge the needs of a family member when their desire to get a new pet is out of sync with yours. Do your best to understand.      

Elements of a Great Obituary

By West Cobb Admin • February 11, 2025
Some obituaries are simply informative. They let the neighborhood know when someone in their community has passed, inform them about when and where the funeral will be held, and detail the decedent’s family who will be grieving their loved one. These are the most basic versions of an obituary. And while there’s nothing wrong with writing one that’s on the plainer side, there’s a reason why these aren’t the obituaries that go viral.

Jack be Nimble & Quick … Get Your Affairs in Order!

By West Cobb Admin • November 22, 2024
One thing we have come to realize this year is the value of being nimble, agile or light footed. Our world has been turned inside out. We have all come to expect the unexpected and to realize that little is certain. Getting a handle on life in 2020 has been a little like nailing Jell-O! Being flexible and prepared has become more important than ever before.

Am I Too Young to Plan My Funeral?

By West Cobb Admin • November 22, 2024
If you are thinking about planning your funeral it is a good sign you are not too young. Although most people tackle this task when they are preparing to retire or after the children have left home, many plan sooner. In reality, most plan because they want to or need to. Age is not the determining factor. Whatever the reason you are thinking about planning your funeral, trust yourself. It is a good enough reason. Don’t worry that you are not “old” enough.

Do I Have to Have a Burial Vault?

By West Cobb Admin • August 7, 2024
While you might be looking at burial vaults, liners, or urn vaults as simply added expenses, there’s a reason why cemeteries require you to use them. Burial vaults and liners keep a graveyard level, both for safety and to preserve the beauty of the cemetery ground. When your loved ones come to visit, they’ll be seeing a stable gravesite, safeguarded for years to come.

How To Prepare for a Funeral? Contacting Loved Ones

By West Cobb Admin • August 7, 2024
The death of a loved one is often the most challenging thing one will face in one’s life. It’s overwhelming, disheartening, and saddening for you personally, but also for those around you. As you prepare for the funeral, you’ll need to start contacting loved ones. How do you determine who to tell first and how?

What is a Burial Vault?

By West Cobb Admin • August 7, 2024
When you think about the process of burying someone who has passed on, you’re likely familiar with a few terms. You probably know what a casket is for, what it’s made out of, and where it goes. You might understand a bit about the embalming process and how a body is prepared to be laid to rest. But do you know what a burial vault is? It’s a term that many people are unaware of, but it provides support for the deceased and is becoming more and more common, especially in certain areas.

Where Can I Scatter the Remains of a Loved One?

By West Cobb Admin • August 7, 2024
It’s better to scatter your loved one’s remains either on private property that you own or on public land. When it comes to your property, what you do with it is your business. With public land and waterways, local authorities will be able to answer any questions you have to be sure that you are scattering your loved one’s ashes in an ethical, environmentally conscious way. Give your loved one a goodbye in a beautiful location, knowing that you’re not doing harm.

What is Prolonged Grief?

By West Cobb Admin • August 7, 2024
Grief is a normal part of life. After losing a loved one, most people will experience grief in some form. That feeling can go on for a while, but as the adage goes, “Time heals all wounds.” As anyone who has ever lost someone very close to them will tell you, time may help, but it doesn’t fully heal. Years after that person’s death, you’ll still think of them, still wish they were around, but you’ll have moved on with your life. The wound will still hurt from time to time, but the feeling of grief will no longer be all-encompassing.

Is It Bad Luck to Plan Your Funeral in Advance?

By West Cobb Admin • August 7, 2024
Definitely not. In fact, if one were to ask the children and family members of those who planned their funeral in advance how they felt about their family member’s foresight they would no doubt tell you they felt very lucky indeed.

It’s a Funeral … Go Ahead and CRY

By West Cobb Admin • August 7, 2024
People may try to suppress tears if they see them as a sign of weakness, but science suggests that doing so could mean missing out on a range of benefits. There is still much to learn about the science of tears, but newer research indicates:
More Posts
Share by: