No - you are not replacing Max. You are just learning to love another dog.
I still feel heartbroken about putting the favorite-dog-of-my-life to sleep last October. But I was left with my other dog and now we have our little Yorkie....and I still miss Dutchess just as much and always will. It has nothing whatsoever to do with my having another dog.
I am 66 - and I still love and miss the dogs I had when I was a child...I remember them so well.
I believe I have probably had 10 or 12 dogs during my lifetime -- and numerous other pets that I loved also.
**** I think you are doing yourself a grave injustice if you limit the amount of love that you can ever feel - be thankful that we have the ability to love and love and love again.
My most sincere feeling is that it is because we loved so much that we feel such pain. I know a lot of people that are afraid to love again - be it a child, a husband, or a pet. And, I think sometimes we do feel some guilt or feel like we are trying to replace what we've lost. But - we're not. We can never replace something that we loved. We will always love and miss them. But there is a lot of room in our hearts to love a lot of things.... be thankful we are this way and enjoy your new little pup. He's entitled to all the love he can get - just like your other dog was.
I tell my children that when I die and (if I go to heaven) -- I hope all my pets are there. There will be a lot of them. Wouldn't it be nice to see them all again!
***** Couldn't help but also think - that if everyone felt the way you do - none of us could ever have more than one dog in our life. This is not a good thing! I lost my first dog when I was six years old - I can't imagine never having another one after that. I have had so many wonderful pets during my life. And - they were all special....some a little more - no doubt about that!
Make room and come up with a lot of love for that new little puppy you have. Before long - you won't be able to imagine life without him.
Carol Jean |