Recovering Slowly from Losing Bella

[smallmans]

It's been about 3 weeks since we sent Bella over the Rainbow Bridge. There is still daily pain but not all day. We cry, feel sad and long for the joy and happiness she brought us throughout the day. My husband lost his beloved mother a week ago and the house is sad. We wish Bella were here to give us kisses, greet us excitedly at the door, and fill our home with happiness. She was our very first dog and we miss her terribly. We had her 6 wonderful years before she developed a brain tumor.
I'm wondering what it is like to get another dog. Since she was our first I'm afraid we'll never have a dog as wonderful as Bella. Is it possible to love another dog after losing one? Do you compare, miss the other dog more, or does your heart fall in love immediately?

Also, I can't find information about breeders in Arizona. If we decided to get another Yorkie to love, how do we find a GOOD, ethichcal, breeder with healthy, dogs.

Our hearts are so sad and empty without our Little Bella. Any words of encouragement about a 2nd dog, breeders, etc. would be greatl appreciated!

[Cherie6446]

I am sorry for the loss of Bella. I know how empty your house feels with her gone. Everyone is different about when and if to get another dog after losing a beloved member of the family. We lost our darling Gina and I didn't think I wanted another yorkie because it would never be as wonderful as Gina. She was perfect and we adored her. There could never be another one like her. After four months I did get another yorkie, Zoey, and she was nothing like Gina. Disobedience, strong willed and didn't like being picked up. Unlike Gina, Zoey loved to cuddle and sleep next to me and that was special. Zoey is her own little girl and we love her very much and I would do anything for her including a $3000 hip surgery. We think of Gina almost on a daily basis and remember all the wonderful times we had together. No dog can replace the one you lost but another will fill your heart with joy and laughter. They are all so special. Good luck with your decision.

[yavenay]

When my Brandi died I was devastated as you are now. As you know, it does get better with time. It has been two years since I lost my little one and it's not a day that goes by that I don't think about her but now I smile instead of cry (most of the time).

Like you, I wondered if it was possible to love another yorkie as much as I loved her and the answer is YES. I got Duchess about 6 months after Brandi went to the rainbow bridge. For the first month I felt like I had made a huge mistake. I thought it was too soon because all I did was compared her to Brandi. The fact that I was making comparisons was the huge mistake not getting her too soon.

When I let go of wanting her to be like Brandi and stopped looking at her as a replacement, that's when I began to bond with her. She is an amazing Yorkie with her own personality and quirks. She is my shadow and I can't imagine my life without her. I love her so much and it was because of Brandi, that I am a better dog owner to Duchess (most of my pets have been cats). I've had pets my whole life and I have loved and bonded with them all. Each one (just like humans)had qualities that I both liked and not liked.

As for breeders, all of my pets except one were either adopted or rescues but I am there are plenty of people here who can help out with breeder information

[Captainzing]

So sorry for your loss

Wishing luck on finding another Yorkie

[margaritaville]

I'm sorry for your loss. It just tears your heart out. It took me a long time to get another because I didn't feel ready. They are their own little being and each has it's own personality and cannot be compared to the one you have lost. So it's best to ask yourself if you are ready before you start your search.

[Lizchloe]

I am so sorry for your loss of Bella, I know how heartbreaking it is, my Abby passed this November 25 and I have been trying to find ways to deal with it, she was a very precious little girl as I'm sure Bella was. Fortunately I still have Chloe, but I still find myself talking or turning around thinking that Abby is there, this year we dedicated our Christmas tree to Abby with pictures and her paw print. My heart goes out to you, personally I think another doggie helps, I don't think by getting another one that means that you did not cherish your Bella, I'm sure you where a great Mom to her, my husband thinks, we should give another doggie a good life and a loving home just like we did Abby. I find just looking at those little Yorkie faces melt my heart, and it is hard to not want another, but I'm not quite ready, everyone grieves and heals differently, my thoughts are with you. Liz

[Cindy_17]

I lost my Jingle in January, Jingle was my baby, my side kick, my heart beat. I loved that little fur angel with every fiber of my being. I was beyond devastated when he passed. I did not even leave the house for a week, I could not get myself together. To make a long story short, Presley entered my life quicker than I thought I would be receptive, I was scared and worried I would not be able to love him like I did Jingle, I felt guilty like I was betraying Jingle and his memory, right up until the moment I rang my breeders door bell to bring Presley home. Presley was and continues to be the biggest help I could have asked for to help with my grieving process. He truly replaced tears with smiles and laughter, he kept me quite busy instead of idle time. My fears of being able to bond and love Presley as much as Jingle was quickly diminished, he is sweet, loving, playful and mischievous. No, he is not Jingle and my love for that faithful baby that gave me 7 wonderful years will never be replaced. My love for Presley is just as deep and he rightfully has his own place in my heart. There are still occasional tears with Jingles passing, it was a hard walk, one I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, but Presley was the silver lining for me and my family. I could not imagine my life without little Presley.

My heart goes out to you and yours, it hurts so bad to lose a precious fur baby. My advice is if you are entertaining the thought of getting a new baby, I would be willing to bet it would be a blessing for your family. God bless you on this decision, your in my thoughts and prayers.

[Cindy_17]

I forgot to add, it was love at first sight with me, albeit I was still scared. I got a 13 week puppy, Jingle was 7 when he passed. I think that probably helped with not making comparisons because he was a tiny puppy. I hope this helps

[Maximo]

I am very sorry for your loss of Bella, and for your loss of your mother-in-law.

Bella will always be in your heart, even when you open your heart to another dog. I understand your concerns though. We went many years in between dogs because of life circumstances. Even with a 20+ year gap and a big change in breeds (from big Airedale to Yorkie), I worried whether we could love the new pup as much. Trust me, you will.

Each dog is unique and will capture your heart for different reasons. There might be similarities and there will be differences.

Best wishes.

[SharonSnowbird]

Like you, I was beyond devastated when my Chanel died. But I knew immediately that I had to get another puppy, not to replace Chanel, but to give me a pup to love and spoil. I think of Chanel every single day and there will always be a special place in my heart reserved just for her. I got Lacy three months later, and am thrilled to pieces with her, she is such a love. Our pups, when they go to Rainbow Bridge, wouldn't want us to suffer and be lonely, they would want us to give another pup the same wonderful life that they had. I hope you will get another puppy and have many more joyful years of puppy love in your home.

[casey13]

We too lost a special wee dog, a small Sydney Silkie named Casey, she was 13 and had a brain tumour too. We had a horrible time with full grand mal seizures but managed them for a year before they were unstoppable.
We now have two yorkie sisters after a break of 8 months, the two luvlies couldn't be more different than each other but I swear Casey has been reincarnated in Lucy, everything she does reminds me of her. Maddie on the other hand is a tornado. We still have our old fellow Levi another Silkie who's 15 nearly blind and deaf and with Liver diease who Lucy protects from Maddie's attempts at play. You will grieve but you will love another. They are too hard to resist and bring life and puppy kisses to your home.

[jshade]

We lost our buddy suddenly last summer. We were heartbroken. Through a series of coincidences, we adopted a 5 year old Yorkie not much later. Needless to say, he really rescued us from our grief. I can only say his presence was a soothing balm to our sadness. Casey in no way replaces Milo and they are two very different personalities. I still miss Milo, but we have bonded with our new buddy and he has been a blessing.

[gemy]

A dog opens your heart in so many unique ways and then you lose that dog. We knew when we signed up for loving a dog that one day in what we hope would be a distant future we would lose our beloved companion. You have loved and been loved by a dog - your heart is now a doggie heart. You can and will may someday have another dog to love.

Each of us needs whatever time we need to be ready to love again. There is no rush. There is not and will never be a replacement for your first dog. But there is an exciting new relationship just waiting for you around the corner. If and when you want it and are ready for it.

We here are familiar with the grief you feel. Post when ever you like about your feelings - we are here to listen and to help if we can.

[LunarBerry]

Each one of our precious furbabies are their own special brand. Every dog our family has had are very unique. Each one having a special place in our hearts and will never be "replaced" only to fill or add to the void that the last one has left. And there will be different feelings about it for each one. Some may feel more accepting or a closure with some pets while with others, will feel that time took them too soon. My little Kimchi is certainly different from my other yorkies (or any dogs for that matter) and even though she acts like a pain in the derriere alot of times (she's a true melodramatic, diva >_>) I love her so much and she does show her love for me in a lot of ways She always expresses that she wants to be near me and wants me to play with her and do stuff with her. Doesn't matter if I give her a new toy that she's suddenly so interested in, if I leave her side after giving her a new toy, she'll cry out for me to be near her and play with her. Granted.. lol If I try to have her sleep with me, she'll just get frustrated >_>;; She's used to sleeping with "grandma" on the futon and with most of her plushies, at least 10 of them >_<;;; She's gotta have a little light and some noise from the TV as well as have her own comfortable spot to be able to sleep X_x
I've lost two yorkies that I grew up some with before 2010 and lost one, of two, of my best friend's to cancer at 2010. I was very depressed for a few years, but then, last year, I just felt like I needed a yorkie. Granted I have a soft spot for them since I had some but I just really felt like I need one soon. Hard to explain otherwise. Things fell together in the most amazing way and I got my little Kimchi I had hoped for a yorkie that can give me signs if something's up or what's on her mind (our past female died without giving signs that were obvious to us at the time) and omg did I ever get what I asked for lol. She'll let me know somethings not right with her, whether it's her discomfort or displeasure :P Also, she was born on my birthday (found out when I signed her contract) I took it as a sign from my best friend, who passed away, as her gift to me (again one of those hard to explain feelings, as there was so many other stuff that made me getting this one too amazing). Granted I stress over her, but she certainly takes my other stress, and so on, away. SO yes, the right one will get to you when you most need them, and they will fulfill that empty void in a way that they were meant to

[ziggy925]

Never had the experience of losing a dog, but many of my friends have and it takes some a long time to get over it. While I've heard, "I'll never get another dog," or "Nothing can replace (fill in the blank)," another dog usually does the trick.

My neighbor lost Ella. A few weeks later they got Bella. You'd never know Ella was gone.