When Is It Right to Get Another Pet?
Things that should be considered, before getting another pet…..
his is one of the hardest decisions to make and this decision should only be at a time when resolution from loss has been reached. It is easy to assume that we are coping and we have reached resolution but sometimes this is not the case and we need to understand that there could be a trigger that will hit us when we are least expecting it that will validate that we are not fully healed.
At this time when consideration to get another pet is discussed with friends, they can be overly supportive and can see that this may solve the trauma and stress that you as their friend, has been experiencing so in fact it is sort of a quick fix. The potential owner, you, need to be reminded it is only you, not them, that can make such an important decision. This is a time when you need to reach deep inside and call upon the experiences that you have had with your previous pet and ask the question “am I truly ready? “. Can I accept another pet into my life and love it unconditionally. Can I commit to the upkeep of an infant pet and go through all the training, discipline and time consuming necessity routines that they require?
Friends may pressure you to get another pet and have your best interests at heart but do not really know the full extent of making this massive commitment, they only see that it could bring love and joy back into your world. If the decision is a mistake and it is too soon then it can be fraught with even more stress. The realisation that it is not the right time, that they are not the same as your previous pet or worse still that there is simply no emotional connection at all can be devastating and add to the original grief and guilt.
Just as we searched deep within our souls to find peace and resolution over the loss of our companion animal we must not make rash decisions on another pet but really look inside ourselves and try and visualise what life would look like with another companion pet in it.
Maybe just a trip to the local animal shelter to look around could give you great insight into where you are at and provide a good measure of where you are in the healing stage. Take a friend along to support you. The emotions that are felt when at the shelter are indicative of whether you are ready to take on another pet and ready for such a commitment.
At this time when consideration to get another pet is discussed with friends, they can be overly supportive and can see that this may solve the trauma and stress that you as their friend, has been experiencing so in fact it is sort of a quick fix. The potential owner, you, need to be reminded it is only you, not them, that can make such an important decision. This is a time when you need to reach deep inside and call upon the experiences that you have had with your previous pet and ask the question “am I truly ready? “. Can I accept another pet into my life and love it unconditionally. Can I commit to the upkeep of an infant pet and go through all the training, discipline and time consuming necessity routines that they require?
Friends may pressure you to get another pet and have your best interests at heart but do not really know the full extent of making this massive commitment, they only see that it could bring love and joy back into your world. If the decision is a mistake and it is too soon then it can be fraught with even more stress. The realisation that it is not the right time, that they are not the same as your previous pet or worse still that there is simply no emotional connection at all can be devastating and add to the original grief and guilt.
Just as we searched deep within our souls to find peace and resolution over the loss of our companion animal we must not make rash decisions on another pet but really look inside ourselves and try and visualise what life would look like with another companion pet in it.
Maybe just a trip to the local animal shelter to look around could give you great insight into where you are at and provide a good measure of where you are in the healing stage. Take a friend along to support you. The emotions that are felt when at the shelter are indicative of whether you are ready to take on another pet and ready for such a commitment.