Replacement Parts
Can you “replace” a beloved dog?
My clients recently lost their 16 week-old puppy, Jax, to a rare genetic heart defect. They were understandably crushed -- Jax was an amazing little guy – and they doubted that a new dog could fill the void. Although he wasn’t with them for a long time, he left mighty paw prints on their hearts.
Thankfully, they opted to try puppy parenthood again, and they welcomed Bailey into their home about a month after they had to put Jax down. It didn’t take long for Bailey to win them over with his laid-back attitude and sweet temperament.
I met Bailey for the first time last week, and his people and I marveled at how different he is from Jax, despite the fact that they had the same father.
First of all, the guy is huge.
He has different quirks than Jax as well, some good, some bad. Unfortunately, Bailey is a champion counter surfer, a talent that Jax never cultivated. While Jax was quite possibly the worst young leash walker I’d ever met, Bailey does a fine job of trotting along politely during walks. Jax demanded constant attention from his people, while Bailey is able to entertain himself with a toy for extended periods of time. Same breed, same father, very different dogs.
So how about you? Did you lose a favorite dog and try to “replace” it with a new dog?
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Comments (9)
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Aimee Conway November 26, 2007 11:30 AM
You can never replace a beloved pet. You can only seek to find one that will earn its special place in your heart. The void will always be there for your baby you lost, but your new addition will help you move forward and allow you to share your love with another deserving pet (family member, in our house).
Chris Chunko November 27, 2007 7:33 AM
We recently lost our beloved Cocker Spaniel "Harley" and he is unreplaceable. Me and Harley were almost inseperable. He even came to visit me the numerous times i was hospitalized. When i was ill and on the sofa he would not allow anyone to move him away from me. You just cant find that same love and devotion again. I have 3 cocker spaniels at home, but none of them will ever compare to Harley! I will eventually get another cocker, but i dont have expectations of that puppy to live up to Harley. No one should ever have that same expectation!
Teresa Perkins November 30, 2007 8:42 AM
My 10 week old chocolate lab was just diagnosed with 2 severe heart defects-- Tricuspid Dysplasia and Pulmonic Stenosis. Her heart is severly enlarged. We were told that dogs with this typically will only live 6 months to a year, but the doctor said he doesnt think she will make it 6 months. We are so heartbroken but continue to give her all the love and attention we can. I just think it will be too hard emotionally to replace her when her time comes.
Patrick Langdon December 12, 2007 2:15 PM
Teresa, my wife and I are sorry to hear of your horrible news regarding your chocolate lab. We had a very hard time in loosing Jax to the same rare heart condition and had a hard time with the thought of another yellow lab in our family. Bailey has been a blessing to us and has helped in the healing process.
Rebecca Coffelt January 5, 2008 9:38 PM
I made the decision to let my ex have full custody of our petite basset hound -Fiona..(in divorce decree was 1/2 and 1/2) and my current husband and I just got a mini-toy-dachshund.
She has filled a void of companionship I thought no dog could do but Fiona-but Leeloo(see her profile) is a wonderful little pup and will be a great-big blessing for us.
Anonymous June 12, 2008 11:35 PM
We have a 9 week yellow lab, his sibling was diagnosed with the same heart valve malfunction, we have to take our Marley in for an ultrasound on Monday, we found out this news yesterday. My husband and I thought getting a dog would be good training for a child. We took the whole week off of work to spend with train her. She has been with us for one full week. I have never been so heart broken!!! Monday is so far away, every time I look at her I just think that we are going to loose her. K.Baird
Empty me w/o my Sweet Baby Girl May 9, 2009 5:16 PM
Went to read some of these in hopes to deal w/ my pain. My "Sweet Fergi" i guess has gone forever. She just stopped breathing in my arms 23days ago. We have been unseperable for the last 12years. She has been threw crises w/ me that humans could not handle. Never have i had such a lost w/ such emptiness.My everyday is spent waiting for her to come home. She is the child i never had.How does one get any 'hope' back? There is nothing to give any other cocker, or dog. Help!!!
dr kar June 8, 2009 11:25 AM
I,too,just lost my beloved Ginger, who was my soulmate. She went nearly everywhere with me from the dentist to the east coast. And when I would return home when she happened to stay home she would be so excited to have me back again! That little tail could have been used for a fan if it were long enough! I feel such a void in my life that I feel it will never b filled again.
Forever Heartbroken June 12, 2009 10:48 AM
I lost my precious, black, cocker, "Targa" after 16 wonderful years together. Since I never had childred she was my baby girl. I made her a promise that I would never let her be in pain and during the last year she developed arthritis, blindness, and deafness. But the blindness and deafness never slowed her down but when the pain meds quit working she then began to suffer. The last day she began crying out at night and I knew it was time. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but I loved her too much to let her suffer. The next morning we went to the vet and she crossed over the rainbow bridge while she was asleep. It has been a little over 2 months now and I still cry everyday. Even though I know she is no longer in pain, my heart will be forever broken.