Advice Needed: Companion for remaining Yorkie

[Capricorns77]

Hi there

I am the proud mommy of Zoë (age 10) and Nuela (age 9). Nuela passed away suddenly 10 days ago.
We are all still shocked and grieving.
My main concern is Zoë at this time:
She is showing obvious signs of stress:
· Losing weight despite eating well (She is tiny - base weight 1.2kg)
· Jittery
· Looking for her sister al the time
· Crying (she has never cried before – not even with shots)
· Lack of energy
· Urinating inside the house

We work during the day – and Zoë & Nuela used to keep each other company.
My questions are:
Should I get a new puppy?
If I decide that we should get a puppy the waiting time at good breeders are 4 – 6 months… Will this not further disrupt Zoë – adjusting to being alone and then adjusting to a new baby.
How does elderly Yorkies respond to new puppies?
Any other advice to help Zoë deal with the loss of her sister

Thanx

[SWHouston]

Capricorns77,

First of all, let me say how sorry I/we are to hear of your loss.
We all have experienced the death of one of our animals,
and know SO well, how devastating it is for us, and remaining furfamily.

Customarily, I would recommend this for the new Dog...
Same Breed,
Opposite Sex,
The new Dog younger than the Resident.

Now, and should you add a member to your Furfamily...
It is vitally important, that you make sure that the Resident
animal, gets a LOT of support. Petting, personal time, just
make sure that it knows, there is still a place for it there,
and, it's not being replaced in your heart.

This activity is specially important now, given that Zoe is
experiencing/grieving as you are, in the loss of Nuela.

In this case, an exception to my above rule may apply...
Given the tenure that Zoe has established with another
female, replacing Nuela with another female may be the
best thing. If she was a younger Dog, I'd hold to the
opposite sex rule, but, not in this case.

Again, I am so SO sorry for your loss.

S.W.

[zowiandnikasmom]

first of all, i am truly sorry for your loss. my heart really goes out to you and zoe in your loss. this past august we lost our 6 year old yorkie nika suddenly to pancreatitis, leaving behind her furmother zowi who was 9 years old at the time. the 2 girls were a very bonded pair, completely inseperable. me and zowi were very depressed and had a very hard time dealing with the loss of our companion and zowi's only daughter nika. i wondered the same thing....
we decided that it was best in our situation to get another dog, before zowi got to be too old to deal with a younger dog. last october we adopted a 4 1/2 month old puppy, pixie. the most important thing to remember is to make sure that your zoe knows she is still very important to you. she should get treats first, eat first, be pet first, and so on. you have to make sure that she still feels very loved, especially considering the loss she is feeling. we did this and still do with zowi. she is still top dog and always will be as long as she is with us. pixie and her have made a really great bond and zowi has helped teach her everything. pottytraining the new pup has been easy because she does everything that zowi does. for us it was best to give ourselves and zowi a new little love in our lives that will never replace our precious nika but has made her own special place in our hearts and lives. i hope this helps somewhat and know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. please keep us updated on your decision. hugs

[SWHouston]

ZnKmom,

What a great post you've entered !

Your detail on how the Resident animal should be treated, is spot on, and
you're SO right about how the tenured animal, will assist in teaching the
newer one so much.

One further thing I'll say is, that every dog has it's own personality.
When replacing one, try not to think it's taking the other's place, but
allow it to make a place of it's own in your heart.

Yorkies are SO good at that, if given a chance.

[miabellaamoure]

Sending sympathies for your loss and may Nuella R.I.P. somewhere over the

Ps. Just wanted to add to the excellent advise already given...please consider rescuing an "adult" Yorkie vs. buying a puppy.

One...Zoe may not be up to the rambunctiousness of a young puppy vs. an older Yorkie and,

Two...you would be honoring Nuella's memory by giving a Yorkie in need of finding a forever home the biggest blessing!

[zowiandnikasmom]

hello... was just checking in to see if the advice given by me and swhouston and miabella have helped at all, what you have decided or are considering to do. and most importantly, how you and zoe are doing. hope all is getting better for you!