Knowing when you’re ready for a new dog can be challenging.
Hasty decisions can mean unhappy human-animal partnerships or even cause a type of regret known as the new puppy blues.
Ultimately, the thought of providing a loving home for a new dog should be a source of joy, even if you’re still missing the pet that’s passed.
If you can’t be around dogs without feeling overwhelming sadness, keep unfairly comparing new dogs to your old dog, or resent new dogs, you might not be ready.
A new dog deserves to be loved and appreciated for their individuality. They’re not a replacement and not a lesser version of your previous dog.
You’ll know you’re ready to adopt when the space in your heart for your old dog can share space with the love of a new dog.
If your previous dog was an immense source of emotional support in your life, you might wish to speak to someone about emotional support animals and if one might be right for you.