Our brand new puppy, only 10 weeks old died 3 days after we got her. My three children and I are beside ourselves. We all got so attached. The vet believes that she had a burised lung that slowly bleed into her lungs. My question is how to get through the grief. All my children feel guilty because they encouraged my husband into getting the puppy. I have tried to assure them that it was not their fault and God lead us to her to give her a loving family while she died and not alone in a cage in a pet store. I wish I could make everything all better and my three children didn't have to learn the circle of life lesson so young especially about a puppy with only a few weeks of life. Any advice on how to get through this? They all say they are ready to get another puppy, right now and my husband is looking - this time not in a pet store. I will follow their lead with getting a new puppy but in the mean time how do I help all of us heal.
Thanks!:(

Nothing can be said, I guess that you haven't already said to your kids. Time is the only healer and I really do suggest another puppy right away from a reputable breeder or maybe adopt an adult dog from an animal shelter. Abandoned animals need good homes too and they are appreciable in their own way.

I don't know what the animal shelters are like where you are,but here in Ontario they are well run, although constantly in need of funds but the adoption process is strict and they do try to find good matches for their adoptees. There is a fee which is understandable.

You didn't really have a chance to get to know your dear pup, I hope she hadn't suffered at someone hands to receive an injury like that.

Maybe you and your husband aren't ready for another puppy now, but it is different with children. It is sad that the fun of getting a puppy so often turns to tragedy. It is heartbreaking to see question after question like yours. The pet stores and backyard breeders do a thriving business selling defective, sickly puppies. Many of the dogs and puppies from the shelters have problems too. Even a sturdy, healthy puppy from a good breeder can die of a disease picked up from one sniff where a sick dog relieved itself in the last 6 months. I try to educate people here and some other sites, but so often it is too late. I am really troubled by those knowing very little that come here asking for help breeding dogs. They are only going to add to the misery.

Since there are so many dogs and puppies in our shelters that will be killed for lack of homes, I do suggest people adopt, although I know a puppy from a shelter is a risk. Often I suggest an older dog. In your case, I might suggest another puppy to allow your children the joy of watching it mature. Having been denied one puppy, it would be hard to deny them again. If you get one from a shelter make sure it is about 7-8 weeks old. Younger ones are more vulnerable to disease and harder to socialize. Older ones may not adjust well to your home. After puppies are 12 weeks old, they are much slower to accept new things. Wherever you get a puppy, look for a bright eyed, lively one. Insist on a vet check.

''Rescues'' often have puppies. Somebody dumps a pregnant female on them. These are dogs that lost their home, but were taken into a foster home
To be retrained as necessary and placed in the right home for them. You may
Find a rescue near you starting at American Kennel Club - Breed Rescue dog dogs puppy puppies The rescues charge a fee to help cover their expenses.

Check the sticky here starting at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post251802 The information in it should make having a puppy go much smoother. You may want to look at a 4-H dog club next year if any of your children are old enough.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tlc513

Our brand new puppy, only 10 weeks old died 3 days after we got her. My three children and I are beside ourselves. We all got so attached. The vet believes that she had a burised lung that slowly bleed into her lungs. My question is how to get through the grief. All my children feel guilty because they encouraged my husband into getting the puppy. I have tried to assure them that it was not their fault and God lead us to her to give her a loving family while she died and not alone in a cage in a pet store. I wish I could make everything all better and my three children didn't have to learn the circle of life lesson so young especially about a puppy with only a few weeks of life. Any advice on how to get through this? They all say they are ready to get another puppy, right now and my husband is looking - this time not in a pet store. I will follow their lead with getting a new puppy but in the mean time how do I help all of us heal.
Thanks!:(

---

Bless you and your family. I would report the pet store to the humane society, just so that they can check the store out. Also there is a website online called "pet finder"... just go to any search engine , once you get on their site it will ask for your zip code and what type of dog young or old that you are looking for... I adopted a dog in 2003 1week after my dog died. A pom, daschund mix14 pounds and she is a joy to our family she was 1 yr at the time... I also rescued a chi/rat terrier 8 pounds a year later that was almost starved to death. He was 1 and 1/2 yr old. At both those times I really wanted a puppy, because I have never had one... but my heart went out to these dogs. These dogs are so bonded you would think they were born together. I love them more than words can express. Sorry I ramble. Your hearts will always feel the pain of your puppy's death... but you told your childeren the right thing. Another puppy or dog will help fill the void that this one left. Good luck. May Peace be with you

Thanks so much everyone!! I appreciated all the support. The children and my husband all wanted to get another puppy just like her and we got one from a rescue center last night. I can see how this is helping them heal. I keep trying to understand why this would happen and have no answers. The pet store gave us our money back and did mention that the puppy was hurt prior to coming to them and they didn't find out about it until after we bought her. You would think that they would have told us or called us! It isn't like they didn't know our information we filled it our for them and last year bought a puppy from them. I think this is why they gave us our money back. I just couldn't get another puppy from them. I do believe that this must have been Gods will because my husband never wanted one dog let alone two dogs and he went on his own and got this puppy. I think God must have known she was going to die soon and guided my kids to encourage my husband to get a puppy. My husband did go into the pet store and said he just felt he had to have this one puppy. I feel that God and this puppy guided us to find our new rescue puppy. I wonder if they are related in someway - strange they do have the same birthday and look a lot alike! Interesting how things work out!

I know what's its like to lose a puppie it happened to me too.the best thing is to get another pup from a proper breeder and call the dog the same name as the desessed dog it will help you get over it better and times a good healer as well,dogs are like humans when it comes to death you'll miss them terrible but will grow stronger and learn to always think of them but you have to let them go.best of luck.