Am I ready for another Yorkie?
 

We lost our precious little Sprite June 27, 2014 after complications post surgery for severe hydrocephalus. The surgery was a final effort to save her life. She was only three years old and losing her was devastating for me. Okay, I'll confess that she was my special little snuggle bug and I absolutely adored her. I am just starting to allow myself to think about bringing another little Yorkie into my life. I am so afraid of something big going wrong again that it is making me have doubts. I have lost other much loved pets over the years but this time was different and she was my first little Yorkie.
Some recent background that may be contributing to my feelings....January 2014 we lost our 15 year old Siamese cat to kidney failure, in June we lost Sprite, and in September our Cocker Spaniel was diagnosed with hemangiopericytoma (cancer) and had successful surgery. In March this year she was diagnosed with mast cell cancer and had successful surgery again. She's almost eleven. Our six year old Yorkie/Maltese cross is totally healthy (thank goodness) and was best buddies and playmate to Sprite.
So to sum up, this is an emotional/heart issue only. I have the time and means to support another little dog. Are these hesitations I'm feeling normal? Do I just need some encouragement from fellow Yorkietalk members :) Should I hold off a bit? If you convince me to take the leap, then I'll ask about breeder recommendations, rescues etc.
Thanks

This is only my opinion but from what you have told us I truly believe you should wait a while on this. Your heart is breaking from all the loss and the problems your one dog has gone through and survived. You need time to heal and regroup I feel. There must be a ton of emotions you are going through at this time and I know you are strongly feeling the loss of your Yorkie but I think in my honest believe that this is not the right time yet to get another little one. But it is your decision and only my best thoughts for you. I wish the best for you whatever you decide.

I think you should go get yourself another bundle of fun. Losing a loved one is a terrible thing to happen but the truth is we are most likely to outlive our furbabies so it is a pain we cannot avoid. But during the time that they are with us they bring so much joy and love into our hearts that I cannot imagine life without them. The funny thing about love is that it is not finite.There is not a set amount that once you run out you are done.Your love for Sprite will always be there. It will never be lost. Your love for your other four legged children will not diminish with a new addition. Once that new puppy kisses your cheeks that first time, new love will start to grow from the bottom of your heart and will continue to grow as long as they are there to snuggle with you, play with you and chew your shoes and furniture up.

It has been a year. I say go for it. Let that new love begin to grow.

I agree with Silverlace. You are so overwhelmed still from all of this. Try to relax a little and you will know when the time is right. I lost my Yorkie just 1 week into his 7 th birthday. He survived almost 2 years with GME. The little guy just couldn't live with all the treatments.
And I only had 1 Yorkie to worry about.
Well, 13 months later we picked out another baby. He's 6 months now and so far so good
These little guys are supposed to give us many years of fun & love.
It didn't work out for you & I.

Not to mention the anxiety and stress your feeling now , the new little one will pick up on. You'll know when your ready and won't need to ask ..?You will be excited not apprehensive....and the new one will be able to adjust easier and won't be so confused over your mixed feelings..
And I'm so sorry for the grief your going thru...
Good luck

I don't know if there's a "right" time. I know people who got another pup within a week and others who never got another pup. It all depends on you. If you are ready to let another pup worm its way into you heart and possibly ease your pain, then go for it. If you feel that yor reservations will prevent you from providing the love and care a new pup needs, then wait.

I lost my beloved English Setter last summer to cancer. She had just turned 4. I was devastated. That dog was supposed to be with me another 8 years! I was depressed and missing her. A friend asked me if I wanted a puppy if she had a litter with her 2 dogs and I agreed, but she didn't know if/when that would happen.

Then something unexpected happened. Some people I know socially contacted me. I had cooed and caa'd over their Yorkie several times and they were divorcing and neither could keep him and asked me if I would take him. That day. So, I literally had a Yorkie put in my arms and I took him home. All my heartache went away as I helped him adjust to living with me. I wasn't sure I was ready for a new dog, but apparently I was.

Well, the puppies arrived 2 months later and I told my daughter to pick the one she wanted and she could have the puppy. She had first pick and picked the cutest girl puppy. I fell in love with one of the boy puppies. 2 weeks before we were to pick up the girl my friend asked me if I would consider taking the boy as well, which would have been my first pick as he was the only one without a home. So, to add to my husband's English Setter that we still had, we now have 3 Yorkies, all since January! I love my guys! My daughter's puppy is the only female in the house, but that is her puppy, even though I love on her too.

I think it will help with the healing, I know it did with me! Nothing to help a broken heart heal like a new little one to love on and grow attached to. I understand your worry about something going wrong. My setter was not supposed to be gone already. However, it took 3 babies to equal her apparently! LOL I adore my guys though!

Thank you Silver Lace, Maxdog, Shicks and Zoey Zendaya for sharing your thoughts. You all beautifully express the two perspectives I have going on in my head right now! In the past I've always felt 100% confident in the decision before getting a new puppy. I'm being more cautious this time which is a new experience for me. I don't feel stressed so much as indecisive, and I'm sure I'm still grieving. Most days now I feel ready to have another little Yorkie and it would be very well loved, but then those thoughts of "what if" intrude and I talk myself out of it. I think I may be answering my own question here. Maybe my head is willing but my heart needs just a little more time. If one fell into my lap I wouldn't say no, but!!

Kmarla, it is great to see you posting here. You and Sprite went through so much together. You are a great mom, that much is certain. I think you will know when the time is right. Keep your eyes and ears open. Nothing wrong with looking around, and then you won't feel pressured.

I looked and looked at puppies casually, applied to breed rescues, and eventually just knew when it was the right one.

Such a great story! :love:

Sorry Dayswalters and JadeD, I didn't see your posts before I answered. I guess each experience of grieving is different and there's no right or wrong response. I'm just not used to being so hesitant, it's unusual for me. If anything I tend to be more impulsive. JadeD your response is my husband's worst nightmare :D I can totally see myself doing the same thing and ending up with a little family of Yorkies to love :) You clearly have a wonderful heart and those little Yorkies are very lucky!

Maximo, thank you so much for your kind words! I have been stealthily trolling local rescue sites and the breeders posted on Yorkietalk. I haven't gone further than that so far. As my husband would say, if I've made the decision to go look at a puppy, that puppy is coming home. It's a done deal!!

Well said Kristen....
Do keep us informed what happens!

The fact that you're asking if you're ready tells me that you are not. I would hold off until you know it's right and you're not asking.

:goodpost:

107Barney I really appreciate your directness. I think I'm about 90% there. It's that small 10% (fear of losing another little one too soon) holding me back and making me slightly hesitant. If I got a puppy tomorrow it would absolutely be loved and well cared for, but I think it's wise for me to take the extra time I need to feel 100%. Maximo and others gave great advice. I'll take my time to look around and will know when it's just right. On that note, it would be very helpful to me if people could share some recommendations regarding very responsible, recommended CKC/AKC breeders in Eastern Ontario/Western Quebec, Toronto area, northern New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. I would also look at young adult dogs. I'd also appreciate recommendations for Rescue Organizations. Feel free to PM me if you prefer. Thanks to all of you for your input. I really appreciate it!!!

Go for it....I had to put down my 17 y/o baby girl Oct.2013, I swore no more dogs, loosing them is to over whelming. I donated every dog item I had to my local no kill shelter. 6 weeks later my vet called me, they just picked up a 2.5 y/o surrender. I didn't want another dog, I was crying all the time over my recent loss, I gave the vet all the reasons for not wanting/ couldn't have another dog, she kept repeating "just come in and see him" to appease my vet I went to "just see the dog" because I knew I would never take home a male dog, all my babies were females. Well I went, I saw, I came home with this little guy. He filled that empty hole in my heart, I felt so sorry for this little boy that was just "given away" I wanted to make up to him for loosing his little 11 y/o mistress that I knew he adored. He helped me heal from the loss of my beloved Matese. He rescued me, not me him, he made my house a home again. If you are asking "are you ready" then you are. Find that special little baby that will worm it's way into your heart, will give you belly laughs and put sunshine back into your gloomy days. Don't think about the "what if's" think of the love these precious little imps give, their quirky lil personalities, their zoomy episodes. IMO you are ready if you are thinking of it. Go for it.....

I agree with you completely Matese, beautifully said!

Matese, your story and JadeD's are absolutely wonderful and show such generosity of spirit. I wish someone would call me about a little Yorkie in need of a home. It truly would make it easier for me since I'm a big marshmallow at heart. If I get a puppy, I want to do my best this time to choose a responsible breeder who screens the parent's and offers a health guarantee. I'd like to try to reduce any risks. I know you can't completely eliminate them but it would give me some peace of mind. With Sprite she didn't have any outward features of hydrocephalus at all, so you couldn't tell by looking that anything was wrong.
Speaking of Sprite, last night for the first time since she passed away, I went back and read the final two pages of her thread here. I couldn't stop crying, but this morning I feel so much better. Maybe it was exactly what I needed to do in order to move forward. Cindy, thank you for your encouragement :) I would love another little Biewer but I'd also love a Yorkie. I'll start checking the Kennel Clubs for breeders but I'd really appreciate any personal recommendations as well. I know there are some wonderful rescues as well, so if you know of something in my geographic area please let me know.
Thanks

Five years ago, I lost my little girl, Ashley, close to her seventeenth birthday. We were waiting for the right time to bring another little one into our lives. We knew from past experience that we would open our hearts completely to another baby, so that wasn't a concern. Almost two years later, three year old Katie came into our lives, and our house is now a home again. We were very lonely and unhappy during those two years. With the help of our two close YT friends, who I love dearly, and a wonderful breeder from Aurora (just north of Toronto), Katie joined our family and completely stole our hearts. We could not believe how well adjusted Katie was and how much she helped to heal our hearts. We will always love and miss Ashley and her sisters, but we also have fallen so head over heals in love with Katie. She has the most wonderful disposition and is such a happy little girl. It's so apparent to see that so much love and time was given to her, and she is so impeccably trained.

My two dear friends also have dogs from her breeder, Ilona Rodionova . One, Gemy, has trained with Ilona for about eight years and her little boy, Razzle, is a Canadian and American Champion and now U.S. Grand Champion. She and Jacquelinebabco told us that Ilona was retiring Katie early, and Jackie drove to the Canadian border to get Katie for me. It was very difficult for Ilona to give up her much loved Katie, particularly to a home so far away, but with Gail's recommendation, Ilona entrusted her little girl to me. Jackie has since gotten her little QueTee from Ilona, and she is a little doll. I could not be happier with Ilona and Rigair. She epitomizes what it is to be a responsible, ethical show breeder who breeds for excellent health, conformation, and temperament. She also does agility and obedience with her dogs. This is a link to her website, and the second link is my Katie. She is everything that Ilona described on her webpage and in all of my talks with her and so much more. Her love of Katie is so easily felt whenever I speak with her.

Rigair Yorkshire Terriers CKC Reg. We breed only top quality yorkshire terriers
CH Rigair Yabba Dabba Doo (Kate)

You were a wonderful mom to Sprite, and you deserve to love again. I hope your dream of a healthy baby comes true for you and that your heart heals. It surely did for me.

Lisaly, thank you so much for sharing your story. Little Katie is absolutely stunning and I'm sure she brings you so much joy. Thank you again also for sharing her breeder information. It gives me confidence in moving forward. Thornhill/Aurora is only a 3.5 hour drive from here so very doable should we be so fortunate.

Kmaria

Every one grieves differently. You have had a lot of loss. Hope you will take your time finding your next baby. You will find your baby when your heart finds her.

Thank you Scrapindee. Yes, I'm absolutely taking my time and this will be a well thought out decision. I have to let you know how much I adore your fur babies :)

Thank you for the compliment. Hope to have a litter towards the end of the year.

I honestly think when it's right you will know it. When I decided to add another pup to our family Mikki just fell into my lap. It was like it was meant to be. And then when I went looking for a puppy, Lily completely stole my heart. She was mine from the first moment I set eyes on her. I think you will know in your heart when it's the right time and whether or not it's the right pup.

It has been several months since I last posted and thought I was overdue to come back and give an update. After all, who doesn't like happy news :)
I had reached a point where I really felt ready for a new puppy after the loss of my special little Sprite, but still felt some anxiety about another Yorkie or Biewer. Not anxiety about the breed at all, but about my emotions tied up with the loss of Sprite. My family encouraged me to broaden the scope a little bit and maybe look at other breeds as well. I felt this was good advice for me. One thing I was determined to do was choose a puppy from a very reputable breeder, one who tested parents, bred for the betterment of the breed, offered a great health guarantee etc. With this goal in mind, I finally ended up making a choice that is different from what I first intended, but I am thrilled with the outcome and I'm sure you'll be happy too! So please let me introduce our newest little Havanese addition to the family. Gracie was born in early September and I first saw a picture of her when she was 15 minutes old. She came home to us at almost 10 weeks and has been an absolute joy. She is very healthy, not shy at all and friendly with people and dogs. She is a sable and white parti colour. Havanese do not have a weight standard, but most fall within 8 to 13 pounds. Her parents are in that range. Our little girl is going to end up on the very petite side, as at 19 weeks she's 3.4 pounds. I think she'll probably end up at about 6-6.5 pounds. Pretty close to a Yorkie. I often feel the presence of my little Sprite when I see Gracie. They have many similarities. So thank you all again from the bottom of my heart for all your support and advice. I will continue to stay attached to Yorkietalk as there are so many happy memories and wonderful people. I've been trying to attach a pic of her but it keeps getting rejected. I'll try to shrink it and attach shortly.

Here we go. Little Gracie at 17 weeks.

I am so happy for you. Gracie is gorgeous, and I love Havanese. It is a breed I considered because of their wonderful dispositions and how much health testing reputable breeders are doing. My littlest angel was named Gracie; she was completely adored, so the name is really special to me. I hope your Gracie brings you the joy, love, and laughter that my Gracie brought to me.

When I lost my beloved Chanel, I started looking for another pup right away, not to replace Chanel, but for companionship. I need a dog in my life to be happy. I don't think there is anything wrong in buying a new dog as soon as yours passes away. If you are going through a difficult grief process, like we all do, a new up will help ease that grief tremendously. With my new pup, Lacy in my life, I don't have time to feel sad and sorry that I am missing Chanel so much.

Lisaly, thank you so much. Yes Gracie does have a wonderful little disposition. Somehow when I saw her I just felt that "Gracie" fit her perfectly. Her registered name is "How Sweet the Sound." I am glad you have such wonderful memories of your special Gracie. The decision was so close between a Biewer, like our Sprite was, and a Havanese, and I finally chose the Havanese because I thought she'll be just a little bit bigger and sturdier. Haha, we ended up with a peanut anyway. Sprite must be smiling down.

SharonSnowbird, these little ones do steal your heart, don't they. I had a difficult time after Sprite passed away, and it took me over a year to even begin thinking about another little one. I think it's different each time you lose a dog. Sprite wasn't the first I've lost, but she somehow effected me differently. Maybe it's because the other's passings were more expected, being older. I too find it difficult to imagine life without a little dog. We still have our other two, and little Gracie has fit in perfectly.