A liitle over 3 months ago my Rottie passed away...

[rottiesnumberone]

and I still cannot get rid of the feeling that I failed her. I do not know why I still feel this way. She (Nikeeta) was given to me at 6 months old and spent the next 9 1/2 years with me until cancer took her 10 days after her tenth birthday. I was with her during her final hours as she took her last breath and her spirit left the body. I have been debating whether to get another Rottie now or wait a little longer. I still am not over the death of Nikeeta. Does anyone know when the time will be right to move on and get another best friend?

Nikeeta 32091 - 33001

[NewRescueMom]

I feel for you as I had to put my 11 year old Rottie down last September due to bone cancer. My husband and I then rescued a Rott in March of this year. We had a bad experience with this rescue - not his fault -but now have another rescue from NERR as part of our family! Death is part of the circle of life and though it hurts and I think of Zach every day ( I still have his collar hanging on a wonderful picture my sis did of him in my bedroom) I would never give up the opportunity to bring another Rott into my home to love and adore! Only you will know when the time is right! Keep your chin up! ;)

[AngelBunny]

rottiesnumberone:

One year ago this past July 9 we had Riga put down because her nasal carcinoma was getting the best of her. The vet came to the house and PussCat died, cradled by Mo & me. Such a heartbreaking day. I too think of PussCat & the other fine Rotties we've had who crossed the bridge before her alot. Give yourself time. You'll know when your heart is ready for another dog.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[KRISSIE]

rottiesnumerone, Please don't feel you failed her, you gave her 10 wonderful years & the love you & Nikeeta had for each other will always be there even after death. I saw the dedication you made for her & I thought it was bueatiful, it brought tears to my eyes, any dog would be lucky to share their life with you & I agree with the others only you know when it's time to bring another best friend into your life.

I am so sorry for your loss.
:(
Best wishes to you.

[RottiMomCT]

In no way, shape or form should you EVER feel that you failed Nikeeta!! She had an amazing life with you and you gave her everything necessary to make her life a good one! You were there when she needed you and I bet she was there when you needed her!

Your heart will tell when you are ready - and Nikeeta will always be there for you in spirit to watch over you and the next angel you choose.

It is very hard to add a pet to the house after the death of an 'old friend'. Keep talking about Nikeeta, and smile when you do it...talking about it helps alot...

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

You did not fail your baby at all. You were with her when she died, I wish I would have done the same for my first dog Bojo.
He died in 1989, alone in a cage at the vet's. I did my best at the time, but I still think it wasn't enough and I will never let Soapie, Buddy or Miller die alone.

I think you will know in your heart when it is time to move on and get a dog. It took me five years after Bojo died before I felt I could get another dog, and then it took about another six months - I looked at animal shelters for quite a while before I found my soulmate Soapie. I originally wanted to get a small dog (Bojo was a pekingnese and I loved small breeds) but then I met Soapie, a chow mix and fell in love. Now I love the large breeds, go figure!!! I still love the small breeds, but it does seem like big dogs, at least in shelters, need homes more, relatively speaking.
Good luck and my heart goes out to you.

[mtd]

It is very hard to lose any pet. Even harder though somehow comforting I think to be there when they pass. We had Asgar for seven years before losing him to kidney failure.I was him when the vet put him to sleep.Six months later we went to a rescue adoption show,found a rott we wanted but were turned down because the league felt that the dog needed to be in a home with another dog. A year later we went back and found our Luke.You need time to grieve and heal. Nikeeta in heaven will find you another rott when she feels you are ready as our Asgar did with us.

[jmorgan]

i wasn't sure myself until i went ahead. kodiak was two years old when he died of cancer. about three months later i got ajax and he is the love of my life. we loved kodiak like a son and i think of him everyday, in fact tomorrow would have been his fourth birthday. so to answer your question; you never really know when it's the right time. i just know that if you have the love to give don't let it go to waste.
you're not replacing nikeeta; it will become clear to you that you can love another again and still have happy memories of your lost one.

[jmorgan]

i wasn't sure myself until i went ahead. kodiak was two years old when he died of cancer. about three months later i got ajax and he is the love of my life. we loved kodiak like a son and i think of him everyday, in fact tomorrow would have been his fourth birthday. so to answer your question; you never really know when it's the right time. i just know that if you have the love to give don't let it go to waste.
you're not replacing nikeeta; it will become clear to you that you can love another again and still have happy memories of your lost one.

[Chaco]

We lost our Chaco almost three months ago too. Everyone is different, but what worked for us was to get a puppy immediately. We always said that's what we would do and that's exactly what we did when the time came. Chaco crossed the bridge on a Monday and we got our little Lundy the next evening. We got Lundy from the same people we got Chaco from, eight years earlier, and her grandfather is Chaco's father. Having a little of Chaco's DNA in the house is very comforting.
With that said, had we not found one of Chaco's relatives, we probably would have waited until the next weekend to get a puppy, but we are so glad we got her on Tuesday. We could both talk about something cute and fun at work instead of trying not to cry and dwell on our pain.
In memory of Chaco, we donated her unused medicine and syringes (she was diabetic and had heart problems at the very end) to the vet, where they can give it people who can't afford it for their sweet dogs. That made us feel pretty good.
And......our favorite thing was taking her choke chain to the jewelers and having them make two bracelets out of it. They had to fashion a stainless stell clasp, but my husband has one end of the chain, and I have the other. We always wear them and we always have Chaco with us.
You know how "high-fives" have evolved into pounding fists together? We still do that, but for special ones, we clench our fists and pound wrists together where our bracelts are.
My friend says the bracelets look a little like biker-babe garb, but I don't care. It's my Chaco and I like it!
Nikeeta knows you love her and did everything for her just like you know she always took care of you. You will never forget her and I hope soon you can share your love with a new Rottie waiting to be in your family.
My heart is with you---I miss my baby every day.

[Cyndi]

My Nikita passed away one year ago today, and she was only 6 years old. I wish I could tell you that you will get over this quick - but not so. Like I said, it has been one year today, and sure, it's better, but I'm not over her at all. I have another dog, not another Rottie, but it hasn't helped much. She's cute, but she's not Niki. I am afraid to get another Rottie for fear she won't be as good, or as smart, as Niki was. I know they are all different, but Niki was so, so special. I too have the feeling that I failed her somewhere but I don't think of that as much today or I still would be going nuts. My husband got another dog when he thought I was going off the deep end - LOL - he wasn't too far off, but still.....