When our 3 Chihuahuas died, it was one right after the other because we had them a long time and they were all the same age. It was heartbreaking for us. I swore I wouldn’t get another dog EVER and told myself that I enjoyed the quiet – and how great it was to be able to go anywhere and do anything I wanted without worrying about “the boys”.

Then one morning I just woke up and said to my husband “I’m getting another dog” and he just smiled because he knew it was coming. That’s when we got Kalina and she is just a joy and pleasure.

I don’t feel as if I replaced any of our boys. Kalina is just another little “person” – all of them loved for the joy they bring to us while we were lucky enough to have them.

I lost my 14 year old yorkie in may this year and on the 9th september i got my new baby girl...she will never 'replace' Heidi...she was special to me and always will be as we were inseperable for 14 years..but i hope to have that same companionship with pixie as i did with her and i hope to have 14+ years with her too.

My little 1 pound 8 oz. Chihuahua died on the 11th. She would have been 16 Dec. 11th. That was and still is a horrible hurt, and if I didn't have Zada and Azrael I think I would have felt as you did and not have another dog. This brought up the very same subject with my husband. We have decided in two more years to get two more Yorkster girls. I don't want to lose a dog without the help of another to help me get thru it.

I know you don't believe you love Toby anymore than the rest of us have loved those that we have lost. It is a huge loss. It is traumatic. However, we are not replacing them. They are totally different and each has their own unique personality. We love them differently and individually.

I asked the question not to say why would you do it, meaning you are inconsiderate not thinking of your lost one. I guess what I meant is do you compare? My problem is that I would compare a new dog to Toby and feel that I replaced him. Thats not fair to the new pup. I guess I'm not in that situation yet, so its hard for me to understand. But I loved all the different input from everyone. And I do not think I love my dog more than anyone else loves theirs.

Such an excellent response. Charlie was adopted/rescued because of the loss I felt after 13 years with Sophie. His adoption was in honor of Sophie's life, and his life story was a sad existence for the last six years. You don't replace them because the next pup will be very different in personality. However, your heart is once again open to sharing and receiving the love of this special breed. I also don't believe we choose them, they choose us and Sophie was guiding him to me. Warmly, Deborah

same here... even tho i LOVE yorkies, if something were to happen to princess i would get another dog.. maybe maltese, poodle, or biewer or something but i cant ever get another yorkie...wait biewers are yorkies too.. BUT u know what i mean! :P

I know how you feel! Just the thought of losing Max makes me cry! One thing I have to say is that I got Max to help me focus on and love something else when my parrots died and it was the very best thing I ever did. I honestly don't know how I would have survived (I KNOW, it sounds DUMB to be so wrapped up in a bird, but I was) if Max hadn't come into my life. I swore I'd never get another parrot ( partially b/c there just is never any other bird who would be the same and partially b/c, even though I was used to it, they are very messy and very high maintenance companions), but it's been a little over a year now and I'm starting to miss having a feathery companion to hold and pet and kiss on the beak. I never believed I'd get to this point! I'm still not ready to get another one yet, but at least now, I feel like a fog is lifting. On the other hand, if anything happened to Max, I think I'd get another Yorkie immediately, b/c now I know how wonderful and sweet and loving they are and what an absolute joy they are to have around. I can't replace Max, but just seeing a little Yorkie face makes getting up in the morning pure joy!

MaryCrank- your story made me tear up. :( I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I eventually lose Abby...


Ok I have to leave this thread before I start crying :( :(

It's hard not to compare, but I believe it would be a very serious mistake and very wrong, too. The reason I say that is that you will see good things in each little yorkie, because as I said, just like our children they are all different and have different personalities. You will see (and probably feel guilty for it) good things in your new yorkie that you wish your old yorkie had done. Likewise, you will see the wonderful things in your old yorkie that you wish your new yorkie would do. As with children, you can't allow yourself to compare. It isn't fair to them.

I can't imagine anything happening out Gracie or Hallee. I will probably need therapy. I could cry just thinking about it.

Sorry to depress everyone. Toby just asked me whats everyone upset about. I want a treat!

I have had 3 yories prior to the 2 I have now and my pom. When my first one passed I felt I never wanted another. That lasted 6 days then I had to get one. My sister said to me you are too good of a dog owner not to get another one to love. They are all special and I can't imagine my life without them

If I was ever to get another one, I'd love to get one from the same breeder. But Kaacey's and Faja's are no longer in business and thats too bad, they were such great bloodlines.

When my Bichon passed, I swore never again. I held to that for a long while, even though my husband gave me a gift certificate for a yorkie for Christmas. I finally did give in and got one. Since then we have also taken in a rescue. Although they can never be replaced and are all different, there is someone out there that needs YOU.

This thread has had so many thought provoking responses. I'm glad I read it and thankful that all of you posted your stories and thoughts on the subject.

I lost my little Lily in July, and she can NEVER be replaced. I have a male which I had before I got her, and I'm getting another male next month. I'm not trying to replace Lily at all. But, I feel that another one will hopefully help in the whole healing process.

In looking for another, I didn't try to find one who looked like her or reminded me of her or anything like that because I'm not trying to replace her. I just feel I still have lots of love to give, so why not open my heart to another.

I didn't realize I opened a such an indepth thread but I really am glad I did. There is truly amazing stories in it.

I'm the same as you! I told my husband that Jake is just gonna have to outlive me. The thought of something happening to him.....well, I just don't even allow myself to think about that.

Oh, I understand completely. When I lost my Molly, I said never again can I go through this pain. After two years I was looking again and people were amazed and it took me two years to find Crystal so it was the first time in my life that I was without a dog. I found one just like Molly or I should say about as close in temperament as I could ever find to her. I could never have just gone out right away and got another but some do and it must be right for them. I read your post and I thought I sure know where you are coming from ......waiting for that party Oct. 7th:)

When we lost Boog it was absolutely the most painful thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life and I thought for sure I would never have another dog. But, as time went on I knew that wasn't right so I started looking at the shelters and rescue groups, I scoured Petfinder and considered several other breeds but nothing 'did it' for me like the little Yorkies and I knew I had to have another one. However, nothing worked out until one morning there was an ad in our paper for a tiny male so I called at 6:30 a.m. and went to look at him. I knew I had to have him when I got there...he needed me...he was 16 weeks old, 2 pounds 3 ounces and being pumbled by their 10 pound Yorkie every minute that we were there...I just knew he would be mamed or worse yet, killed. So, I took him home and that was that.

For me it wasn't an issue of 'replacing' my Boog dog...it was a matter of replacing the pain of losing him with love and happiness again.

Have I ever forgotten Boog? Absolutely not and I never will...he was a special little guy who will live in a big chunk of my heart forever and he will never be replaced or forgotten.

Do I think he approves of Jo-Jo and Riley? Absolutely...especially Jo. I know Boog has visited us many times, I've felt him next to me where he used to sleep, or on my chest when I go to bed, I've heard him walking on the wood floors and I've even heard his little bark several times. I've caught Jo playing with 'someone' in the bedroom when there was nothing there and I mean he's in full play, wagging his little stubby tail and sticking his butt in the air with his front feet stretched out or running around the room like he was being chased. Now that Jo is almost 3 he seems to be taking on some 'Boog dog' qualities and mannerisms...he's becoming a cuddle bug and he wakes me up with a tiny kiss on the end of my nose...just like Boog used to do. Take a look at this picture of my husband holding Jo...it was one of the first ones we took of him when we brought him home...then look closely at who is looking on in the background. Yes, I think my Boog dog approves.

My feelings exactly. When I lost my precious Chester (a rescue!), I was absolutely distraught. I'd lost my Rosebud (another rescue) shortly before and had not found another yet. Now, I have My Chloe, Darla and Harry. Although none of them will ever be Chester, I love them all the same. It does hurt when they leave us, but I know there's another little angel needing a place to be spoiled. I just can't say no!

This is a subject that is rooted deep within the hearts of the writers. Your initial question was do we compare? I believe I did in the first weeks after I adopted Charlie, not in a negative way but I did. Judy wrote "The Shelby Spot" which says it all. The bottom line is you will love another yapper just as strongly as the first, second or third.

Thank you for the question and thankfully this event has not touched your life. It is touching to see how much you love your Toby. Warmly, Deborah