So I have wanted a puppy my whole life. Last year Dh and I got a kitten, I loved it and it was so cute. But I gave it back because I just got a new job and would be out of the house 9 hours a day. I felt bad leaving it alone the whole day. Thankfully she got a good new home. 

When I m/c in Aug i really wanted to get something, but the working all day is still an issue so we decided against it.  

If you have the time to take care of it, I would totally do it!

 Also, think if you can do all that when your KU. The sign at the shelter read "This could be a 17 year commitment, make sure your ready." It was very true.

GL! if you get it you better post pics!! 

Dogs are serious business. I personally would wait until after the holidays to make sure you are adopting for the right reasons. 

To answer your question: Yes, I fill the void with my six month old nephew.

I know that they're serious business. I'm not a never-had-an-animal-before person, becuase I would give myself the same advice if I was. I had dogs growing up...

I would say, if you wanted a dog before your loss, and have the time and finances, get one!  Unless you are going to be traveling for the holidays, then I would say wait. 

We have a furbaby and she is indescribably wonderful.  She really brightens up our lives!  (in fact, she is curled up next to me right now :)  <3

ScarletOflaherty:

If you stay home and will be there to take care of it, I say go for it. If you work full-time, maybe a cat instead? :)

I am def. not a cat person...

DH works retail hours so, while the dog was getting acclimated, somebody would be home most of the time.  

Don't get a dog to "fill the void" - Get a dog because you want a dog, because dogs are great.

Meanwhile, on TTCAL, there's a thread that asks this same question. 

We did this when we we knew we weren't able to TTC, of course our dog is now 8 years old, but we want a family and he did fill that space and it helped us a lot.

We always knew we were going to get a dog and we both grew up w/ dogs, so we were aware of the responsibility.

I think you need to make sure you are getting a dog for the right reason and you are 100% fully prepared for it, and then the puppy might help fill the void as a secondary purpose.

Okay... puppies are a LOT of work. Like HOLY SH!T a lot of work!! I would NEVER do it again. That being said, I totally understand wanting to fill the void. My pups are a great support system for me. Osi loves to snuggle when I'm sad. Kiera licks my face when I cry. And Sophie.. Well she's just so cute, that alone is her saving grace. Haha. I understand wanting a puppy but maybe you could get an older pup, like 6-8mos old? That way you can still bond with him/her as you would a puppy but you would be past the terrible months of puppy-hood.

Hope you get a dog!! Post the pics if you do! :)

Seriously?  Cats are very self efficient.  I can leave my cats for a whole weekend as long as I have someone to feed them and scoop their box one day.  

purplepeanut6:

So I have wanted a puppy my whole life. Last year Dh and I got a kitten, I loved it and it was so cute. But I gave it back because I just got a new job and would be out of the house 9 hours a day. I felt bad leaving it alone the whole day. Thankfully she got a good new home. 

When I m/c in Aug i really wanted to get something, but the working all day is still an issue so we decided against it.  

If you have the time to take care of it, I would totally do it!

 Also, think if you can do all that when your KU. The sign at the shelter read "This could be a 17 year commitment, make sure your ready." It was very true.

 

GL! if you get it you better post pics!! 

bewilderingstar:

Okay... puppies are a LOT of work. Like HOLY SH!T a lot of work!! I would NEVER do it again.

Babies are more work than puppies....

But to answer OPs question, I don't see an issue with it. I personally though would recommend getting an older shelter dog. It gives a dog that may be euthanized a chance at a home (since puppies get adopted much more quickly). Also, if you do end up getting KU within the next few months or so, it will be much easier on you if you have an older dog instead of a younger one. We have LO and a dog that we think is about 3 years old and she's a handful but gets along with LO great. Not sure how we would do if we had LO and a 6 mo or 1 yr old puppy

We got a puppy shortly after getting married. I wanted a baby, we got a puppy. HA. I lurve her to death but she is a definite handfull.

I totally say go for it because they add so much joy to your life, but just remember...if you happen to get KU right away youll have both a puppy and a baby (and no, the puppy wont be more calm by the time a baby arrives).

What kind are you thinking of getting?

grahamlove:

We got a puppy shortly after getting married. I wanted a baby, we got a puppy. HA. I lurve her to death but she is a definite handfull.

I totally say go for it because they add so much joy to your life, but just remember...if you happen to get KU right away youll have both a puppy and a baby (and no, the puppy wont be more calm by the time a baby arrives).

What kind are you thinking of getting?

We love love black labs. H is a big hunter & fisherman so he would love to train her to go with him duck and deer hunting. I just think they're big cuddlebugs.

I'm so torn about this.. I thought for sure i wanted a dog becuase i really wanted one but the more and more I think about it I hope I'm not doing it just becuase we don't have a baby yet.

I'm being really whiny and I'm sorry.. I thought I knew my motives. Ugh! 

cls78:

Adopting/buying any animal is a commitment don't get them just to fill a void. Even after a baby you will still have the pet to care for and they can be a lot of work. (extra house cleaning due to shedding etc)  

I did not say I was getting one to fill a void.. I said that we really want one but not sure if I was subconsciously doing it becuase I wasn't KU anymore.  

madasm0530:

grahamlove:

We got a puppy shortly after getting married. I wanted a baby, we got a puppy. HA. I lurve her to death but she is a definite handfull.

I totally say go for it because they add so much joy to your life, but just remember...if you happen to get KU right away youll have both a puppy and a baby (and no, the puppy wont be more calm by the time a baby arrives).

What kind are you thinking of getting?

We love love black labs. H is a big hunter & fisherman so he would love to train her to go with him duck and deer hunting. I just think they're big cuddlebugs.

I'm so torn about this.. I thought for sure i wanted a dog becuase i really wanted one but the more and more I think about it I hope I'm not doing it just becuase we don't have a baby yet.

I'm being really whiny and I'm sorry.. I thought I knew my motives. Ugh! 

I can understand where you are coming from and I think it shows that you would be a responsible dog owner-- making sure you are doing it for the right reasons.

Now... I'm not one of those who places my dog on the same level as my kid.. but I do love her very much and she is a great part of our family. I snuggle in bed with her every night, if I am sad she is there, and she loves to play with LO. Maybe instead of trying to look at it like you're filling the void, perhaps you could try and look at it differently. Like you are preparing your family for a baby!

I LOVE that we have a dog and a baby! Now obviously this varies by dog so you would want to do some extra checking to make sure your dog would get along with small children... but it is great to watch them play and I really already feel (LO is almost a year old) that they will be good friends. Heck, when we came home from the hospital she was already excited to meet this baby that had made my belly so big! So, before your LO is even born he/she will have a great friend ready for when he/she gets here! Not sure if this helps or not but maybe it will give a different perspective...

madasm0530:

grahamlove:

We got a puppy shortly after getting married. I wanted a baby, we got a puppy. HA. I lurve her to death but she is a definite handfull.

I totally say go for it because they add so much joy to your life, but just remember...if you happen to get KU right away youll have both a puppy and a baby (and no, the puppy wont be more calm by the time a baby arrives).

What kind are you thinking of getting?

We love love black labs. H is a big hunter & fisherman so he would love to train her to go with him duck and deer hunting. I just think they're big cuddlebugs.

I'm so torn about this.. I thought for sure i wanted a dog becuase i really wanted one but the more and more I think about it I hope I'm not doing it just becuase we don't have a baby yet.

I'm being really whiny and I'm sorry.. I thought I knew my motives. Ugh! 

Have you ever had labs before? I only ask because if you do get one be prepared for 2 years or more of the "puppy stage". Ours is 9 months old and is WILD. She is slowly but surely getting more well behaved, but BOY does she wear me out.

If you or YH have plenty of time for a lab, then I say go for it. They make the best companions. Whether it's to "fill the void" or not, its totally your decision. It sounds to me as though youve wanted one for a while, and your longing has only increased due to wanting a child. Sound right?

grahamlove:

madasm0530:

grahamlove:

We got a puppy shortly after getting married. I wanted a baby, we got a puppy. HA. I lurve her to death but she is a definite handfull.

I totally say go for it because they add so much joy to your life, but just remember...if you happen to get KU right away youll have both a puppy and a baby (and no, the puppy wont be more calm by the time a baby arrives).

What kind are you thinking of getting?

We love love black labs. H is a big hunter & fisherman so he would love to train her to go with him duck and deer hunting. I just think they're big cuddlebugs.

I'm so torn about this.. I thought for sure i wanted a dog becuase i really wanted one but the more and more I think about it I hope I'm not doing it just becuase we don't have a baby yet.

I'm being really whiny and I'm sorry.. I thought I knew my motives. Ugh! 

Have you ever had labs before? I only ask because if you do get one be prepared for 2 years or more of the "puppy stage". Ours is 9 months old and is WILD. She is slowly but surely getting more well behaved, but BOY does she wear me out.

If you or YH have plenty of time for a lab, then I say go for it. They make the best companions. Whether it's to "fill the void" or not, its totally your decision. It sounds to me as though youve wanted one for a while, and your longing has only increased due to wanting a child. Sound right?

Yes, my mom has a lab/retriever mix and we lived with her for 18 mos after we were married. She's five and she is still crazy!!

Thank you for putting it that way. That makes more sense than saying I am trying to 'fill a void'. Not the best choice of words, I suppose. 

madasm0530:

grahamlove:

madasm0530:

grahamlove:

We got a puppy shortly after getting married. I wanted a baby, we got a puppy. HA. I lurve her to death but she is a definite handfull.

I totally say go for it because they add so much joy to your life, but just remember...if you happen to get KU right away youll have both a puppy and a baby (and no, the puppy wont be more calm by the time a baby arrives).

What kind are you thinking of getting?

We love love black labs. H is a big hunter & fisherman so he would love to train her to go with him duck and deer hunting. I just think they're big cuddlebugs.

I'm so torn about this.. I thought for sure i wanted a dog becuase i really wanted one but the more and more I think about it I hope I'm not doing it just becuase we don't have a baby yet.

I'm being really whiny and I'm sorry.. I thought I knew my motives. Ugh! 

Have you ever had labs before? I only ask because if you do get one be prepared for 2 years or more of the "puppy stage". Ours is 9 months old and is WILD. She is slowly but surely getting more well behaved, but BOY does she wear me out.

If you or YH have plenty of time for a lab, then I say go for it. They make the best companions. Whether it's to "fill the void" or not, its totally your decision. It sounds to me as though youve wanted one for a while, and your longing has only increased due to wanting a child. Sound right?

Yes, my mom has a lab/retriever mix and we lived with her for 18 mos after we were married. She's five and she is still crazy!!

Thank you for putting it that way. That makes more sense than saying I am trying to 'fill a void'. Not the best choice of words, I suppose. 

 

Sorry, I was only going by what you put as your post topic.  If you want a dog go for it!  They can be a lot of work, but are worth it.  Crate train and it makes things much easier!   

OMG - I am SO glad you started this thread.  I started talking about wanting a puppy in May 2011.  DH was talking to our neighbor and the neighbor said, "Don't do it.  In less than 6 months, she's going to want a baby.  Just hold out for the kid."  DH had been gung ho on TTC since we got married and I had been holding off.  He told me to wait until Fall and if I we weren't TTC and I still wanted a puppy, he'd get me one for Christmas.  Lo and behold, by August 2011 I was ready to TTC.  We keep saying that we shouldn't get a puppy while we're TTC because do we really want to be dealing with a puppy and a baby at the same time?

However, last week, I found the cutest little boston terrier/black pug mix puppies at a local shelter and begged and begged until DH caved (there may have been hysterical tears and a "what if I'm barren????" thrown in).  Unfortunately, when I called 2 days later to adopt, they had already been adopted out!  So, I'm back to questioning it.  I don't want a puppy and a baby at the same time, but it could be years before we have a baby.  Why deprive myself of a puppy now?

I acknowledge that I sound like a 4 year old.

mmb248:

OMG - I am SO glad you started this thread.  I started talking about wanting a puppy in May 2011.  DH was talking to our neighbor and the neighbor said, "Don't do it.  In less than 6 months, she's going to want a baby.  Just hold out for the kid."  DH had been gung ho on TTC since we got married and I had been holding off.  He told me to wait until Fall and if I we weren't TTC and I still wanted a puppy, he'd get me one for Christmas.  Lo and behold, by August 2011 I was ready to TTC.  We keep saying that we shouldn't get a puppy while we're TTC because do we really want to be dealing with a puppy and a baby at the same time?

However, last week, I found the cutest little boston terrier/black pug mix puppies at a local shelter and begged and begged until DH caved (there may have been hysterical tears and a "what if I'm barren????" thrown in).  Unfortunately, when I called 2 days later to adopt, they had already been adopted out!  So, I'm back to questioning it.  I don't want a puppy and a baby at the same time, but it could be years before we have a baby.  Why deprive myself of a puppy now?

I acknowledge that I sound like a 4 year old.

That totally sounds like me. HAHA. I hope you get your furbaby soon. :)

I love animals and have always had cats.

Within a month of buying our house together, we adopted two cats.

I also take in sad, stray kittens and nurse them to health and adopt them out once they're ready.

Last summer I ended up with a litter of 5 tiny 3 week old kittens.  I had been getting the baby "itch" at that time but those little guys consumed my every moment.  I was basically their mother for a month or so.  I had to feed them every 4 hours, stimulate them to poop/pee for the first few days, too.  One of them ended up staying with us (see my sig).  I'm such a cat lady.

If you wanted a dog before, I would say get one.  If it's just something to preoccupy you until you have a "real" baby to take care of, I would not.  A dog is a commitment for the rest of it's life and if you don't think you will love it and pay as much attention to it once a baby comes, it might not be right for you.

I'm a cat person because IMO they are less maintenance.  Just leave out clean litter, food and water and they're all set.  You can even leave for a night or two and they'll be fine.  Not so much for a dog.

I haven't had a loss, so I can't speak to that.  But, I do have a dog.  We got her as a pup when she was 2 months old.  She is a blast, but the beginning was a ton of work!  If you have the time to train and take care of a pup, I would totally recommend it.  But, you could always adopt an older dog as well.  My parents got a great 2 year old dog from our local shelter and he's been perfect for them.

Like people said.  Post a pic if you get a furry friend! 

To be completely honest, I was actually thinking about this myself. That said, I know that I would not be doing it for the right reasons right now so I don't think it would be fair to the dog, to our current furbabies, or DH. If I am still not KTFU in a few months, and am still strongly thinking about, I will suggest getting a rescue from the local shelter to DH.

Right now we already have one dog and two cats, so it would be a lot to get another at this point for us and I don't know your situation. I know animals can help people cope with all kinds of things so only you can determine what is best for you.

Good luck with your decision!