I know for me that my house is never emptier than in the aftermath of what going through. Hell, my life is never emptier. Even when he's not right there with me, just the fact I know he's around...I can't really put it into words.

I lost my 17 year old lab on a New Years Eve day. On the 2nd I was at the shelter. I don't know why. Had no intention of coming home with a dog. Met a sad eyed pitbull who had been used as "bait" by the local Indians dogfighting club or whatever. Deep scars on his neck and head. He'd been there 3 months and it was his second time there. First after being rescued from the Indians, then found abandoned after being adopted. They told me no one had shown any interest in him and he'd kind of become the shelter mascot. That was it. Filled out the paper, the shelter director herself did a home visit the next day. I went and picked him up that night. I guess my point is that sometimes fate takes a hand. You said you want to wait a year, same plan as mine. But he needed a human. He was a mascot, but he still lived in a cage. He needed a real home. I had one. And I needed a dog. Fate stepped in. Part of me felt I wasn't mourning my lab properly. But this dog needed someone. And it was the right decision. I mourn my lab, and every other dog (or cat for that matter) I've lost every day. And I've given a sad, scared, lonely abused dog a safe, loving and comfortable life.

OK, I'm rambling and crying. Done now.