Should I Get A New Pet Straight Away?
Generally, the answer is no. One needs time to work through grief and loss before attempting to build a relationship with a new pet. If your emotions are still in turmoil, you may resent a new pet for trying to "take the place" of the old when what you really want is your old pet back. Children in particular may feel that loving a new pet is "disloyal" to the previous pet.
When you do get a new pet, avoid getting a "lookalike" pet, which makes comparisons all the more likely. Don't expect your new pet to be "just like" the one you lost, but allow it to develop its own personality . Never give a new pet the same name or nickname as the old. Avoid the temptation to compare the new pet to the old one - it can be hard to remember that your beloved companion also caused a few problems when it was young!
A new pet should be acquired because you are ready to move forward and build a new relationship rather than looking backward and mourning your loss. When you are ready select an animal with whom you can build another long, loving relationship because this is what having a pet is all about!
By Moria Anderson Allen, M.Ed.
