Last winter we lost our dog, she was 16 years old and just died in her sleep, although my kids were upset the took the loss well. This spring my husband started telling my son that he could get a new puppy,(my daughter has a 5 year old mut that is definatly hers), after a long summer of my son asking when we would get his new friend we finally got an adorable black lab puppy just 3 weeks ago. Sadley yesterday she ran into the road and was ran over and killed instantly. My son was devestated but sucked it up like a little man and helped his dad bury the puppy in the woods behind our house. He (my son) wants anouther dog but my husband says not untill spring. I guess I just feel like he (my son) waited so long already and then to only have 3 weeks, just breaks my heart. You should also know that my son was very responsable with his puppy, feeding her, scooping poop, and excersing her daily and without reminders from us. Doesn't he deserve anouther dog or is my husband right to wait once again.
thank you all for your condolances and advise. I shared the responses with my husband and he agrees to a new dog. We hope to adopt one from the local canine rescue or humane society.
L.~
I think you should get another one. Yor son sounds like he has been so good, I would hate to see my son go through that.
Maybe adopting an older dog who is already potty trained and trained maybe a better option.
I am so sorry about the puppy!
I am so sorry for the loss of both of your pets. I lost my dog about a month ago, and was devastated! I think that a new puppy would be a wonderful thing to get your son! My dog was getting old and I knew he wouldn't be lasting much longer, so before he died, I got my daughter a yellow lab puppy. It helped her transition better after our dog passed on. Me on the other hand didn't take it too well...lol. Although she will never replace my old man as I called him...it helped A LOT!!!!
That is a very sad story and even though I think it is a good lesson for kids to loose something they love; if you can afford it I say go ahead and get another dog. I feel it is unfair that your son waited so long just to have an accident happen and take it all away. It isn't your son's fault so he shouldn't be punished for it. I say you get your little boy a puppy!! What a great Halloween present, you could buy a little costume for your new puppy and surprise your son.
aaawwww get a new one......
Proverbs 14:1 says "Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pluck it down with her hands." Is it possible to "build your house" by entreating your husband now that awhile has passed and ask him to reconsider? Is it possible with a soft voice to first find a likely dog and ask him if we can get it? Is it possible to remind your husband in your entreating manner how faithfully the boy took care of the previous dog, if he indeed did? If after you've calmly brought all this up to your husband in the privacy of your bedroom or out of ear range of the children anyway; he still decides to not get another dog until spring....can you maybe softly ask why so you can explain it to your son? Then let it go for a couple of days without anger at your husband and just see if he doesn't come around? This is an oportunity for both you and your son to show your husband extra love...inspite of this undesirable decision. "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." Prov. 15:1
As a wife and mother of ten....I've enjoyed seeing this little "miracle" take place again and again.
I think that if your son is responsible...he should get another dog. Maybe your husband is really just still feeling the loss of the other two dogs. But if your son has gotten over it and wants another shot at it, I think it should be considered.
I would get him another. This puppy was lost, do to something that was not his fault, If you do not get him another he may feel he is being punished in some sort of way. Heck I would like to borrow your 6 year old to teach my 14, 12 nad 10 year old how to be a pet owner :) Good luck
My condolences over the loss of your 16-year-old dog and the puppy. If your son feels ready for another puppy I think he shouldn't have to wait again. Still you and your husband need to compromise on this issue.
Yes, get a new puppy now, he has proven that he can take care of one just make some strick rules. We lost a dog the same way. We alway chain him up, that one time I didn't. Well it is too sad to explain but you get the picture. I have a very long leash attached to one of those screw in the ground things and i have it so it comes into the house and our new dog does not go out without being on that leash that is the strick rule in our house and we do live in the country. Good Luck.
If you have the courage to print out the responses and show them to your husband.
Hasn't your son already waited long enough? I would go along with the new rules too, of being leashed or only in a fenced area. How sad.
If your son is showing the actions of being responsible enough to care for a dog, and due to an unfortunate event he was only given the chance to prove himself for three weeks. Your son deserves a real chance.
Ironic, I just lost my dog due to old age, she passed in her sleep as well...and my husband won't let me get a dog until spring...what is with spring.
How tragic! I think maybe your hubby is probably scared for something to happen to a new dog and have these losses so close together. Just a guess of course. But I think that your son completely deserves a new puppy! If he was responsible for the last one without reminders even, then I feel he shouldn't have to wait til spring. That's an eternity for a young kid. To only have his puppy for three weeks after having to wait through the winter/spring/summer to get the pup... I feel SO bad for the kid! I feel he especially proved himself by helping bury the puppy. That shows a lot of maturity in my opinion. Hope this helps-Good luck talking hubby into a new pup! Jenny
Thats such a sad story. I am a owner of two dogs and two children and both dogs were bought when the children were born and are the kids dogs now my children are only 3years and 14 months so there is really no one but me and my husband caring for them. But your son deserves a new dog. He waited so long to begin with and now he will have to wait again. It was't his fault the dog died so he definatly deserves a new one. I hope he gets it, what a great responsibility for your children to learn and also experience. Sorry for your loss.
I too am a MAJOR dog lover.. I have 3 of my own.. It is great that your son age 6 takes care of "His" puppy without mom and dad asking him too.. I would also go out right away and get him one.. The other lady is right, it's not his fault the puppy got killed... Just make some new rules: dog must always be leashed, don't go in front yard, or anywhere near roads unless restrained..
Good luck, and keep us posted!
I would think he should get a new puppy right now but what is your husbands reasoning for waiting til spring the potty training with the snow? If that's the case I would wait til spring or better yet that would make a adorable christmas surprise.
L.-
That is so sad! I would definatly get another puppy. Your son responsible and mature as he is for such a young age, should not be punished for his puppies actions. He was promised a dog and should recieve one. I think losing a dog is a hard loss and he might spend this time between now and spring mouring the loss of his two dogs. I think he should have a new friend to pass the time with.
-N
Oh my God, get the poor boy a dog. I am so sorry that happened. That sucks. Good luck
That really has to be decided as a group. You don't want a rift between you and your husband if you say, yes, and go out and get a puppy. And you don't want your son being bitter if Dad says no and tries to play you against one another. Maybe a special family meeting just between you, your husband and your son to discuss the best time. Or maybe say, yes, we'll start looking, but don't get impulsive. Make it a big deal to find the "perfect" puppy which will probably take you to spring anyway.
I've lost many of pets and people always told me to wait. I didn't listen. I would get a new dog for your son. He will miss is old dog, but love the new one just as much. But do becareful, your son may feel that everytime he gets a dog something will happen to it. Talk with your son and find out how he feels about another new dog.
That is so sad about the puppy. Your son must be just heartbroken! I am and it wasn't even my puppy! But from my own experience, I would wait until spring, simply because I have twice tried to house break dogs in the winter time and it's very frustrating. I can't imagine trying to do that at age 6! They don't want to go in the snow and cold to do their business and having to bundle your six year old to take a puppy for a walk...you've got a puddle to clean up. You can take the time to really do some in-depth research of different breeds and names and make the waiting part more interesting and educational.
L.-
I would have to side with you. If I made my son wait so long to have a puppy, get him a puppy, and then a tragedy happen to his new puppy I would be going straight out to buy him a new one. It is not his fault his puppy got killed. If he was being responsible then he deserves it.
Good Luck!
B. L.
