SHOULD YOU GET A NEW PET AFTER YOU'VE LOST ONE ?

 Should I get a pet ?  Is this fair ? Am I doing justice to him/ her ?

Are these the questions that circle your mind after you've lost a pet ? Yes, it's not only you who undergoes this dilemma after a tragic event like this.

It can get wildering for a family who may have lost their pet under unexpected or mysterious circumstances. It seems similar to a situation when you feel like quitting but still live with a hope.

Here are some things that you should know before considering to get a new pet after you've lost one :

1) Always know, the one that you've lost will always hold a special place in the heart :  No matter how many pets you'll get, the first pet that you've had will always be incomparable to all the pets you'll get in the further future and no other pet can be equalised to it. Especially if the one that you've lost was your first one that you've  ever had.

2) There will be several instances when there will be comparisons: This is something  that'll always happen if you've had some experience as a pet parent. As a pet parent , I always compare my late pet to my current pet. Its okay! I repeat  ITS OKAY. There will be similar instances in the future. But at the end what matters is that you must shower your current pet with the same affection like you did with your late pet.

3) There will be times when you'll have an emotional breakdown: Honestly, some people have experienced this: they talk about something and relate it to their deceased pet and they have an emotional breakdown. This is completely normal and instead of holding your emotions, just express yourself as it'll actually feel better even if that means destroying some of your objects at home.

Now the question arises that whether should you get a new furry friend or not ?

Well, there can be two answers to this question-

• Number one is 'yes'. There is no problem to start over again. This time with a more practical and careful approach. This includes - 

 Accepting the fact that he/she has to go someday or the other. Here is an extract from an eminent sermon delivered by Gautama Buddha at Benares - 

‘‘The life of mortals in this world is troubled and brief and combined with pain. For there sermon religious or moral talk dipping places bathing inscrutable something which cannot be understood repaired (a stylistic use) went to valley of desolation an area which is filled with deep sorrow mortals those bound to die 2020-21 135 The Sermon at Benares is not any means by which those that have been born can avoid dying; after reaching old age there is death; of such a nature are living beings. As ripe fruits are early in danger of falling, so mortals when born are always in danger of death. As all earthen vessels made by the potter end in being broken, so is the life of mortals. Both young and adult, both those who are fools and those who are wise, all fall into the power of death; all are subject to death. “Of those who, overcome by death, depart from life, a father cannot save his son, nor kinsmen their relations. Mark! while relatives are looking on and lamenting deeply, one by one mortals are carried off, like an ox that is led to the slaughter. So the world is afflicted with death and decay, therefore the wise do not grieve, knowing the terms of the world. “Not from weeping nor from grieving will anyone obtain peace of mind; on the contrary, his pain will be the greater and his body will suffer. He will make himself sick and pale, yet the dead are not saved by his lamentation. He who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation, and complaint, and grief. He who has drawn out the arrow and has become composed will obtain peace of mind; he who has overcome all sorrow will become free from sorrow, and be blessed.” 

(Source- A sermon at Benaras)

So everything that was stated in the sermon is equivalent to this traumatic experience.

• Number two that is an alternate answer which is a straight-forward no. The point is that if you can't handle the grief that comes with the loss of a pet then there's no point of getting a new pet, making memories and then having this traumatic experience after its demise.

The point is to get a pet only when you feel that you're ready to not only take the responsibility of taking care of a pet but also are prepared enough to bear the loss.