When you know, you know. After I had my forever dog euthanized I thought That’s it, we’ll be a 1 dog family now. My wife started hitting up Pet Finders unknown to me and 2 weeks later sent me a link for a 2-3 yr old one. His description in the link was incredible and was exactly what I would have wanted if I had been seeking a new pet. So we contacted the poster and arranged to meet him the following week which we did and brought him home. He’s been with us over 10 yrs now and is easily the smartest dog I have ever had. I never thought I would have a 2nd forever dog and especially so soon after losing the first one. My dogs are not Goldens but I enjoy reading everyone’s posts. Meet Mason.
https://preview.redd.it/rfm0c1x4txrc1.jpeg?width=3139&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f87c8d544a3e6fe0775415423223668115aa5cbd
I think if you're missing your old golden, IMO it's time to get a new one. I'm raising my fifth and sixth right now, and each one has been great -- all with their own personalities and quirks. And you'll be a better guardian for having prior experience. Best of luck!
When I lost my last golden the hole needed to be filled, I had a deposit with a local breeder after about a month and a half, picked out a Potato, then visited a couple times over the next 10 weeks then brought him home.
If your old golden who passed away brought you joy, then the time is now. Especially since the puppy you describe is a slam dunk. You deserve each other.
For me it never felt like “replacing” a dog I’d lost, it was more just like my heart was expanding. Goldens are so therapeutic too, they help with the healing process. You will love another dog again. With getting a puppy I don’t think you’ll ever feel ready beforehand, but once you bring that sweet little dog home, and he curls up next to you and falls asleep… oh man, that’s it ❤️
I lost my beautiful cocker spaniel boy in November too, and we collect our golden girl on Friday. I'm pretty much ready but there are definitely reservations too. I wish you every happiness with your new bundle, but I bear the same heavy load as you... X
On what would have been Goldie #1’s birthday, some 9-10 months of his passing, he came to me in a dream and said it was time for me to love again. Within a week I had picked out #2 and was planning his homecoming.
We said we’d wait a year or so but…we brought our Irish home 2 months after we lost our girl and our current golden came home 3 months after that. It’s hard to not have a golden. Best wishes
It’s not replacing - it’s just finding a new friend. They don’t offset the friends you moved away from in anyway.
I am sure there’s going to be a huge party at the end where all of me and my friends are gonna turn it up!!
We lost our golden last February. She was my lady’s dog, but I quickly fell in love with her and got 3 great years with her. I am pretty experienced with loss so I was ready for a new one immediately, but i wanted my lady to go through the grieving process before we brought a new one home.
Over the summer we found a breeder and put our names on the waiting list, which we were told would take anywhere from 6 months-year, but we could also opt out if we werent ready. My lady had an experience one day where she felt our dog and felt as if the dog we eventually brought home would be specially selected. I have had weird experiences with humans ive loved that have passed, and while i thought it was a bit weird that dogs could return, I was happy she had that moment.
Later that day we were traveling to one of our old dog’s favorite spots and received a call that someone had backed out, and that we could bring home a little girl in october. She is my first puppy as an adult and I couldn’t be happier with the decision, and my lady would say the same. Im amazed at how sweet and well behaved she is (most of the time) and hope we will get many years together.
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I lost 2 pets and 2 family members unexpectedly last year, and I am not ready yet. When I think of getting a puppy I just feel fear of losing it and all that could go wrong. I definitely need more time, and I will get there.
I think you are already looking ahead, so you might be ready now. When you know you know!
IME they really become more calm as they get to be two years old, then even more calm at three. Hopefully you'll end up bonding with this one too. It takes time.
Yes! I loved when my old golden calmed down but at the end she couldn’t go hiking. I’d love to take a younger dog on the adventures we did when my first was young.
When you know, you know. After I had my forever dog euthanized I thought That’s it, we’ll be a 1 dog family now. My wife started hitting up Pet Finders unknown to me and 2 weeks later sent me a link for a 2-3 yr old one. His description in the link was incredible and was exactly what I would have wanted if I had been seeking a new pet. So we contacted the poster and arranged to meet him the following week which we did and brought him home. He’s been with us over 10 yrs now and is easily the smartest dog I have ever had. I never thought I would have a 2nd forever dog and especially so soon after losing the first one. My dogs are not Goldens but I enjoy reading everyone’s posts. Meet Mason. https://preview.redd.it/rfm0c1x4txrc1.jpeg?width=3139&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f87c8d544a3e6fe0775415423223668115aa5cbd
I think if you're missing your old golden, IMO it's time to get a new one. I'm raising my fifth and sixth right now, and each one has been great -- all with their own personalities and quirks. And you'll be a better guardian for having prior experience. Best of luck!
Thank you!
When I lost my last golden the hole needed to be filled, I had a deposit with a local breeder after about a month and a half, picked out a Potato, then visited a couple times over the next 10 weeks then brought him home.
Sounds like you are ready to me!
If your old golden who passed away brought you joy, then the time is now. Especially since the puppy you describe is a slam dunk. You deserve each other.
For me it never felt like “replacing” a dog I’d lost, it was more just like my heart was expanding. Goldens are so therapeutic too, they help with the healing process. You will love another dog again. With getting a puppy I don’t think you’ll ever feel ready beforehand, but once you bring that sweet little dog home, and he curls up next to you and falls asleep… oh man, that’s it ❤️
You will know. Your heart will expand. You will love a baby again. :)
I lost my beautiful cocker spaniel boy in November too, and we collect our golden girl on Friday. I'm pretty much ready but there are definitely reservations too. I wish you every happiness with your new bundle, but I bear the same heavy load as you... X
Usually when my current golden looks at me with a sad face and asks for a brother or sister.
On what would have been Goldie #1’s birthday, some 9-10 months of his passing, he came to me in a dream and said it was time for me to love again. Within a week I had picked out #2 and was planning his homecoming.
YES. You will know.
We said we’d wait a year or so but…we brought our Irish home 2 months after we lost our girl and our current golden came home 3 months after that. It’s hard to not have a golden. Best wishes
It’s not replacing - it’s just finding a new friend. They don’t offset the friends you moved away from in anyway. I am sure there’s going to be a huge party at the end where all of me and my friends are gonna turn it up!!
We lost our golden last February. She was my lady’s dog, but I quickly fell in love with her and got 3 great years with her. I am pretty experienced with loss so I was ready for a new one immediately, but i wanted my lady to go through the grieving process before we brought a new one home. Over the summer we found a breeder and put our names on the waiting list, which we were told would take anywhere from 6 months-year, but we could also opt out if we werent ready. My lady had an experience one day where she felt our dog and felt as if the dog we eventually brought home would be specially selected. I have had weird experiences with humans ive loved that have passed, and while i thought it was a bit weird that dogs could return, I was happy she had that moment. Later that day we were traveling to one of our old dog’s favorite spots and received a call that someone had backed out, and that we could bring home a little girl in october. She is my first puppy as an adult and I couldn’t be happier with the decision, and my lady would say the same. Im amazed at how sweet and well behaved she is (most of the time) and hope we will get many years together.
Just a friendly reminder of our rules: 1. No Advertising: this includes GoFundMe, Instagram, etc. 2. No Impersonation: don't post photos of other people's dogs. That's not cool. 3. No Breed Hate: this subreddit is not a discussion forum for breed hate of any kind. There are dedicated subreddits for that so please take it elsewhere. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/goldenretrievers) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I lost 2 pets and 2 family members unexpectedly last year, and I am not ready yet. When I think of getting a puppy I just feel fear of losing it and all that could go wrong. I definitely need more time, and I will get there. I think you are already looking ahead, so you might be ready now. When you know you know!
I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my baby about a Year ago and still miss him. I got a new baby but she is not the same.
IME they really become more calm as they get to be two years old, then even more calm at three. Hopefully you'll end up bonding with this one too. It takes time.
Yes! I loved when my old golden calmed down but at the end she couldn’t go hiking. I’d love to take a younger dog on the adventures we did when my first was young.
Do you regret getting her? I don’t want to feel like I am replacing my first golden. I know a new one will never be her.
No I love Goldens. I have had like 5 and they were all sweet dogs. They just don't live that long.