Help: need some opinions on getting a new baby

[Pink Dog]

The hubby & I lost our babies, Cali (15y/o) in 2020 & Mia (14y/o) in 2021. I said at the time I would never get another dog because it hurt so bad (we went through euthanasia with them). Also, Cali was special needs so I was tired at the time we lost her. Some of you may remember her story from here in 2012: HELP! My 7 y/o girl can't use her back legs


Anyway, my husband wanted more dogs at the time but respected my feelings of pain. Now (3 years later) I'm finding a desire to have Yorkie-love in my life again. The problem is, my hubby is now too scared to again suffer the loss we went through in losing Cali & Mia. Other factors include that we are older, have health issues, and are extreme worry-warts....especially when it comes to our babies. On the flip side, I think there are so many positives to having a new baby in our lives. For one, we are an excellent home for dogs...they would want for nothing. They would be our primary focus. They would get top quality care (see the thread linked above).

Can anyone here help us make a decision that we are both comfortable with? I realize this is an extremely personal choice but I'm looking for anything to "tip the scales" one way or the other. For example, will this desire for another little one go away? Is it just a phase I'm going through? If not, how do I convince my husband this is the right choice? I don't want to push him, especially if I'm not certain myself.

Thank you to anyone who can offer a clear perspective and willing to share it here.

This was Cali:



This was Mia:

[Murnah]

Hi pink dog, I had a simular delimma. I lost my pomeranian Murphy in 2019 due to medical issues. He died in my arms and was my baby. Then I lost my chow chow hannah in 2023. Her passing was age related, she was nearly 15yrs old which the vet told me was realy old for a chow and she was put down after going into renal failure. I greived for both my babies who were raised together. I got murphy in 2009 as a puppy and hannah I got in 2010 when she was 15months old as a rescue.

Last year I made the decision to take a chance and get a new fur baby. I am in my 60's and single so it does worry me that if I pass before her she will be parentless but I did make arrangements with my sister that she will take Phoebe in if anything happens to me. I have never been without a dog in my life in all my 60 plus years so the year and a half since hannah passed before I got phoebe I felt a bit lost.

I have lost many fur babies over the years and the pain has always felt quite cripling with each loss but for me it has always helped with the grieving process to have a new baby to love and focus on. Hope this helps some.

Phoebe is 8mo old now, I got her in October at 8wks and I don't regret my decision for one second. She has bought nothing but joy and happiness to my life and gives me a new purpose. Just remember puppies have A LOT of energy. Something I forgot being as my last puppy was 2009 when I was much younger and even as a puppy murphy didn't have an ounce of the energy that Phoebe has lol. But we make it work with lots of play dates with her cousin Benny (my sisters pug) where they tires eachother out.

Good luck in your decision, I hope everything works out for you.

[Pink Dog]

Hi Murnah,

Thank you for such a thoughtful reply! I'm sorry for the loss of your babies...I'm also glad you found a new faithful companion. After reading your post, it seems I'm overthinking this. Although the energy-level of a puppy does concern me and is something to think about