I have posted on here that we were due to get a new deerhound puppy on Saturday but in the light of what has happened to my 3 hounds do I still go ahead and get the puppy? Most of me says 'yes' especially as Murray is bereft without anyone to play with. Smokey greyhound is 9 and doesn't want to be bothered playing with him but the other bit of me feels so guilty. It's as if they have gone and I am replacing them so quickly even though the pup was planned before what happened happened.

Please tell me what you would do but I hope to God that no-one is ever in this predicament

Life goes on Houndy,I know it's hard,but I think it will be good for you,and Murray too.Hope you start to feel better soon.x

I am not aware of what has happened to your other hounds but,
I think that Elvee is right....moving on doesnt mean forgetting afterall does it?

I would go ahead. You've gone through an awful experience this little puppy could bring some happiness back. So sorry you've gone through this.

Oh my god!
I have just read your post. So sorry for your loss Houndy, I cant imagine how you and your neighbour must be feeling.
You deserve some happiness after such an awfull experience...you should get the puppy and let time sort out the rest of it!

Like everyone else on here, my thoughts are with you.

Last october I lost my spinone at a far too young age. Destiny sent little Penticton in my direction soon thereafter. I also felt it was too early, and some sort of guilt.
But guilt in which way? Life goes on. The dog you lost will not blame you. Then there are those who are still here. The puppy you planned is, as i figure out, not just some puppy, but at this time it is a certain individual you have in thought.
Even if I felt wrong when considerations began with my puppy, I know now that it was the right thing I did. After the loss of his playmate, my IW went into a depression. The arival of Penticton was a sign for all of us that life goes on.

Nobody here can interpret your feelings better than yourself. Make the decision that you feel right about.
You will have to handle the loss of your lurchers, and it takes time, but it is important to deal with your feelings, and talk about it, not hide it away. It takes time, but that does not mean you cant do omething else while that process goes on.

I lost my greyhound at 12 to cancer, for the last few years she didn't want any kind of interaction with younger dogs, she would shoo them away, so your greyhound is obviously going to be the same. A bit like us, the older we get, the less appealing babies are! (says me who has a 1 year old staying with her, though I love him to death, the thought of having another one fills me with dread!!)
Your DH will need a playmate and a running buddy, the new baby will fill the gap the Lurchers have left and also stop you dwelling too much on the nasty accident.
Yes, the poor neighbour, he must feel terrible, but life does go on, so forget the guilty feelings and take your mind off it all on Saturday with the new arrival (BTW what is his breeding?)

Your feelings of guilt are understandable but the new puppy isn,t a replacement,its a planned addition and the decision taken before this tragedy . The new puppy dosn,t mean that you,ll ever forget your lurchers.

It will feel like the end of the world right now and nothing will fill the huge space that your lost love ones have left. You had already planned on taking the new pup on so it's not like you would be getting him to replace anyone. If I were you, I would go ahead and take in your new pup. It will ease the pain for all of you and bring a some cheer in your darkest moments. Murray will thank you for it.
We are all here for you if you need to talk. Take care, Steve.

Personally, I'd go ahead with the new puppy. You can never replace the three you've lost, I know, but the new kid on the block will help ease the pain. Why not have a word with your new puppy's breeder and see whether they will hold him/her back for a few days till you have time to catch your breath? In any event, take time to make the decision you feel comfortable with.

Thank you everyone for your advice and messages of sympathy and support. I have decided to go ahead with new puppy and have done what Sid suggested and postponed collecting puppy for another week to have a bit of time to come to terms with what has happened. Murray is getting really depressed - he is not my Murray mint at all so a new pup is what we all need.

As far as guilt goes I am the type of person that feels guilty about nearly everything!

Please all - take time to google antifreeze poisioning in dogs. It makes for awful reading but it will raise awareness of what terrible effects it has on animals and especially at this time of year when people use it more. I was always aware of the fact that it was dangerous to animals but did not realise how quickly it can attack the kidneys and major organs and how little dogs have to ingest before irreversable damage is done

houndy wrote:


I did just that earlier and was horrified by what I read. It appears that it is sweet and appetising for a dog and you're right, winter time is always the worst time for it. Also read a story on one page regarding a dog that was saved because the vet gave him Vodka and kept him 'drunk' for a few days.
It is sad, because it is accidental, like a dog being hit by a car, but this is what makes us all such special people because we care so much for our animals and I think Murray will thank you so much for his new baby brother when he comes home to Wales!

I agree with the general opinion of everyone who has posted that you should go ahead with the new puppy. Firstly it will help take your mind off things, secondly it will be good for Murray and finally I'm sure its not being disrespectful to the memory of the dogs that you lost.

I would go ahead, but as Sid has suggested, maybe put collection back a week or so. We lost our Merlin aged 8 months christmas 07' and promised ourselves that we would get another D/H, not to replace Merlin because he could not be replaced, just like your dogs, but to fill the big D/H shaped gap that had been left and to keep our Callie company.
Spring

Go ahead and get your new puppy, he will be something ele to think about instead of dwelling on the loss of your beloved Lurchers.
Antifeeze here in the US has a bitter tasting substance added to it to prevent animals (and children) drinking it, can't believe they don't do that in the UK.
Have fun with your new addition and don't forget to uplaod some pictures.
Joan.

I think you have made a wise decision. If you didn't get the pup you would probably regret it. Through all this trauma, the timing couldn't be better. The pup will cheer you both up after your time of grieving and coming to terms with it. It is what I would do. Hugs to you and ear rubs for Murray.

Antifreeze is only good in the radiator of cars. Several years ago there was a wine scandal wehere antifreze had been delibrerately added to wine, appearently in order to save costs. Dont tink thise farmers really saved anything at all.
Please keep us updated.

A terrible tragedy, but don't be put off having your puppy. It will help Murray through
his grieving process as well as helping yourself. You are not replacing your lurchers
the puppy was going to be an addition to the pack so you have nothing to feel guilty
about. Our thoughts are with you at this very sad time.

I've just read about your awful accident I feel so sorry for you. I can't just imagine how sad this must be for you. I have only loose one dog at the time and it is sad enough, but three, it is more than you can handle.

I am pleased that you make the decision to go for it and take home you puppy. And I hope he or she will bring you much happiness in all this misery.

I will also send you a lot og hugs

I lost a deerhound at the age of 17 months last March. In the May I had an addition of a whippet I am so pleased I have him. He did not replace Freya who is still sorely missed but he did help to get over the shock and loss of a much loved hound. He has also helped Eris as she missed Freya, now she has Merlot to run with. I would say go ahead collect your pup it will also give your older dog a new lease of life. Good luck thinking of you.