Being alone is a difficult thing to get used to. Being alone in your house is strange, and in my case its a big house. Its important that you are talking to someone regularly.

I have no answers, I'm just agreeing with you that it is difficult. Eventually you will adapt so that it does not bother you so much.

Bob

I feel the same as you do, but my husband was NEVER away. We were always together or at phone reach. I know its so hard. It's been 28 months for me and it still kills me.

My only suggestion is................... if you don't have one get a dog.
I was not a dog person before, and still not so sure I am now but he is so much company for me. I don't ever feel alone (totally). I have something to talk to or hug when I need to. If you already have a dog maybe another one is what you need.

I hope that helps some, I'm doing good to even help myself these days.

Warning! Do not listen to nowjustme. ( I think she works for the humane society ).

I'm not a dog person at all. In fact one of those suckers bit me on the back of my leg as I was running one day ( owner had to lock it up for a time to make sure it did not have rabies ).

They look so innocent, but they are out to get us!

However, if somebody does try to call and sell you an alarm system, do tell them you have a large dog at your house :)

Bob

Bob, you are a riot! How many funny stories do you have?!

nburgess, sorry to hijack your thread...

lol, I am infamous for not liking dogs - my sister always puts her big a$$ golden retriever in the basement when we come over to visit her.

But the getting bit by the dog story goes like this:

I was a runner from long ago. One evening my wife told me not to run that night ( she felt a tremor in the force, lol ), but I ignored her. So I went out running anyway. Well as I approached a house on my route ( its all city running on sidewalks and streets ) I saw a dog barking like crazy in the front yard ( no fence, no chain ). There was a car parked in front of the house.

So I decided to leave the sidewalk, run in the street until I passed that dog. Well I got into the street, past the car and that sucking dog ran into the street and lunged at me from behind and caught me just above my knee. ( for those of you dog lovers out there you probably wished that he had bit me on my a$$ ).

So I had to fill out a police report, and go to the ER for a tetanus shot.

Yeah, my wife did take that occasion to ask me again "Why did you go running when I warned you".

True story and why I don't tolerate all those lovely stories about your dogs!

Bob

I also feel so alone at times. My husband worked days so he was always home in the evenings and on weekends. He was so worried that he would "be in my way" once he retired. I told him I was looking forward to having him home all of the time because I missed him while he was at work. Unfortunately he passed away from sudden cardiac death 3 days after his retirement. We never had the chance to grow old together. I miss him every minute of every day...

I don't know what I'd do without my little dog to keep me company. She keeps me going! At least the house isn't so empty and quiet.

Hugs

I did rescued a little dog for company a couple weeks after my husband died. He has really been a good dog, even though I have had him almost a year, I still haven't named him. I don't know why...

Michael was never home either. We worked together for years . Almost every night after work he would do what he called "turning corners" and go for a ride to see who was around. Or he would be doing some kind of work in the yard or garage. I got very used to him not being here. But he always called me from where ever he landed and we talked.
When he got sick & I knew he wouldn't get better I thought about being alone and how it wouldn't be much different from what I was used to. Boy ! Was I wrong !!! It's 1000xs worse than I could ever imagine.
I so know exactly how you feel. Many hugs ox
Bob..I have 2 dogs and they sustain whatever sanity I have left. My poor son lives here w/ me for now and he says he hates dogs but I catch him petting Abby all the time. Sometimes it just helps :) ox

I'm with Bob here. No dogs. I can envision a small child on the floor eating dog food.

Back on topic, I can be alone. Not really ever alone but without Mike in the house as he was a weekend hunter and was gone a lot. I never minded that he was gone. I work weekends and it was no big deal. I figured he had his friends and I had mine. The thing is he always came back and that will never happen again. Maybe I can envision him as being on an extended hunting trip.

Maggie

I really hope Bob was demonstrating some black humor. Companion animals really are just that.... a companion. Maybe the dog bit Bob due to his attitude??? (sorry Bob)
Anyway, some people dog well with a dog or a cat for company. For others a pet is not the answer. For myself when my husband died the 4 cats he & I had rescued over the years in turn rescued me. They really keep me going and make the house so much less empty.
The one thing (hopefully Bob will not tell you to ignore) is to let your close friends and family know when you are having a really lonely time. Asking them for help at times like this is a blessing to you and it also helps them. Good wishes to you.... with or without a dog (or a cat),

Darlene, I agree that pets can be fun and company for some people. Bob had a bad experience and was giving us a bit of humor in relating his story. The fact is that some of us like people better than pets. I would rather play with my kids than walk a dog. I have tried it and it was not a good fit for me but I commend those that have patience to care for pets.

Maggie

I dread weekends. My husband and I always went out. Either together or separate. But at the end of the night we were both home. I try to do get out Saturday and Sunday either with friends or by myself.

Okay I agree with Bob - do not get a dog. If you want to try to see if you would like to have a dog then the next time that someone you know needs a dog sitter then volunteer, that will tell you if are ready or even what one. Remember that dogs and cats can out live us and then what will happen to the animal.
I know that I have had people tell me to get a pet. I know that I do not want to be tied down with one.

Lol, interesting turn this thread has taken! Concerning dogs, I have not been a dog-lover in the past. However, I live in a rural area and at times I have to be outdoors after dark to care for my cows or do other things. Also, I like to take walks in the forest around my house. So, I got a dog to give me some company for those things, as well as hoping that she could help me with my cattle. I feel safer with her outside with me so that is a real plus. Unfortunately my daughter's Boston terrier seems to be much better at herding cattle than my border collie! Can't win them all I guess!

Ok, this is my last post about dogs ( in this thread, lol ).

I actually never liked pets since I was a teenager. I don't like animals, or bugs or a lot of other stuff. We had four kids and people are a lot more important than animals to me. I love those bumper stickers that 'save the whales' ( and the whales is crossed out and it says save the humans ).

To the dog lovers in my extended family they thought it most humorous that I got bit by a sucking dog :)

If you like dogs, then it is probably a good idea to have a dog for a companion and all that.

However, for someone to suggest that a dog would be any benefit to someone who is not a dog person, it's not good advice, IMO. There are vet bills, they get sick, etc.

Lol, somebody who did not know me very well suggested that I get a pet :).

Every time I'm out and one of my grandkids steps in some of that "stuff" a dog left behind I am reminded why the hell I don't like dogs...

Totally agree, Bob, that people are much more important than animals. And my dog is an animal and sleeps outside. Can't handle all the hair and dirt all over the floor! I much prefer my grandkids company to my dog, but unfortunately the kids have their own lives to live.