‘Just because I no longer have my soul dog didn’t mean I lost the ability to love. I still had it but with just nothing to love.’: Heartbroken dog mom finds love in the paws of a new puppy, but questions if it was too close to her soul dog’s passing

Author image for Laurent Shinar
Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Sep 17, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

Spending years raising a pupper, putting all your time, effort and emotion into them is quite the ordeal. Sure, it is insanely rewarding and there are so many sweet and wonderful moments along the way, it is hard to say that it is time not well spent, for it very much is time well spent.

But when that time comes to a close, it can be ever so tough to move on, to find another canine to give to. Moreover, it can be incredibly tough to know when the right time to do such a thing is. Which is what the protagonist of this story went through after having to say a sorrowful goodbye to her soul doggo. But she was brave and decided to quickly take the plunge and put a new pupper in their place and soon she found her joy once more. Standing testament to the fact that life after your soul doggo does exist, you just need to grab it with both hands.
 

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  • 01
    Yesterday I lost my soul dog after 13.5 years. I got her in my early 20's the week I moved out of home - without ever having a dog, she was a challenge, as I didn't even know how to look after myself. Skip forward
    via Jumpy-Blacksmith-898
  • 02
    I gave her everything and gave her the absolute best life, I became more successful in life so houses got bigger by the end I had her swimming in our heated pool.
    via Jumpy-Blacksmith-898
  • 03
    I loved her deeply and have been uncontrollably crying.
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  • 04
    I just love everything about having a dog, walking them, talking to them, feeding them, loving them.
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  • Wow, what a wonderful rags-to-riches story, they must have spent so many evenings reminiscing about all the trails and tribulations that they managed to overcome. All the terrible places they had to live without parks that the dog could be let off the leash. 

  • 05
    I'm miserable day 2 as all I want is to do is do it all over again, I know everyone thinks it's too soon but I'm not really sure what I'm waiting for?
    via Jumpy-Blacksmith-898
  • 06
    My soul dog was everything to me but towards the end she started to get unwell and I felt like all I was, was her full time carer, she became deaf and with her love of food just became naughty
    via Jumpy-Blacksmith-898
  • 07
    old brown dog lying down next to plants with tongue out
    via siloto via Adobe Stock

    Disclaimer: This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    - climbing on the dinner table, constantly in the dishwasher, scratching cupboards, couldn't hold her bladder etc. I couldn't yell at her as she couldn't hear me. She couldn't
    via Jumpy-Blacksmith-898
  • 09
    really walk so I couldn't walk her - I feel like I haven't really had a proper "dog" for a little over a year.
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  • 10
    Before she got deaf she was perfect and we were perfectly bonded but the question I have is, is it wrong to get one this soon?
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  • Oh, jheez, that is quite the state to go out in. This is what we mean when we talk about sticking by our four pawed friends through think and thin. It is all well and good when they are healthy, dragging you out for walks and the like, but what really matters are those years when they are getting on and need a little extra help. 

  • 11
    ** update** thank you all for your posts it really helped me beyond words. I grieved hard, cried for 4 days straight, hardly ate, watched
    via Jumpy-Blacksmith-898
  • 12
    every video I could find of her on repeat and then decided to visit a shelter. By chance they had a 6 week old puppy batch who were dropped off anonymously. I fell
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  • 13
    for one instantly, I looked into her eyes and just felt love again; just because I no longer have my soul dog didn't mean I lost the ability to love I still had it but with just nothing to love.
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  • 14
    She's with me now obviously younger than id want but she'd be better off with me than in a cage. The house feels like a home again, i feel like looking after her is giving me the
    via Jumpy-Blacksmith-898
  • 15
    strength to go on, i ate my first meal in days. I'm still grieving my soul dog but I know in every ounce of my being she wouldn't want me to grieve alone.
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  • 16
    So, there is no right way to grieve, everyone is different but this is just a story of how I've chosen to cope.
    via Jumpy-Blacksmith-898
  • 17
    puppy sitting in a field of grass
    via Tanya via Adobe Stock

    Disclaimer: This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 18
    Ze... It's not wrong. There's no right or wrong in the grieving process as long as you don't harm yourself or others. You
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  • 19
    gave your baby the best life, cared for her even during sickness, and proved to be a great owner. I'm sure a new dog would appreciate you.
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  • 20
    There's no harm in that. You can give love to a new puppy while grieving and remembering your soul dog.
    via Jumpy-Blacksmith-898
  • 21
    Our kitty also grew more and more tired and sickly towards the end of his rather short life and caring for him was a difficult task. At some point, it's
    via Jumpy-Blacksmith-898
  • 22
    best to let go - for the sake of the pet, and the owner.
    via Jumpy-Blacksmith-898

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paws ability dogs soul dog mom puppy too soon heartbroken reddit story years momma love dog story
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