Thank you all for your love, understanding and kind words of encouragement. It's comforting knowing there are others who know that gut-wrenching, lonely, guilty, miserable feeling of having to say goodbye to our faithful friends who have given unconditionally for so many years. Nothing seems "normal" now, but I know that time will soften those sharp edges of the loss of Susan.

LeeAnn -- You're very brave for staying with your pooches until the very end. I couldn't have held it together any longer.

Cheryl -- Thank you for your kind words and especially the poem, Rainbow Bridge. I've read that before and my personal belief is that it is true. My loving God who created all creatures, wouldn't allow that special bond to be broken after so many years.

Sally -- I've thought about a service dog in the past. However, he/she would still require all the usual things any pet does -- walks, vet visits, "shedding" clean up, any mess clean up, etc. It would be different if someone else lived here to help, but as of now, I don't think it would work. Thanks for the thought though!

Chris -- You're sooo right. Knowing there will never be another special furry friend in our lives does make it even more difficult. In my "former life" with kids, husband, activities, work, to take care of, the loss of a pet was awful, but this seems especially hard to take since it was just the two of us for so long and there won't be another. I'm sorry you're in the same boat, but know you really understand. Thank you!

Beth -- Yes, I know in my brain that Susan is at peace now with no more pain and her body renewed to it's young energy, etc., but my heart is just so empty. Everywhere I look, I expect to see her. Thanks for your hugs!

Marc -- I'm sorry for your loss of Stella too. No, I don't think it's crazy at all talking to her. After doing it for so long, it's only natural and helps us feel "connected" even though they're no longer here. It's a feeling only we "dog people" can understand. Some say "snap out of it, she was only a dog". NOT!!

Whether right or wrong, I've cried more and felt worse with Susan's passing than I did for my own parents. Of course there were "issues" with them too, but something about that unconditional love, complete trust and wanting to be constantly close to you, just tears me up. The only thing in my life that could be worse would be the loss of a child/grandchild. Thanks so much again for all your thoughts and prayers. Time is a great healer.

I did find a website for people who have lost pets. Think it's called petloss.com and it's associated with Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. It's a no-kill facility which I've donated regularly to for years. They were one of the organizations that helped animal rescue after Katrina in New Orleans and Mississippi.

Hugs to each one of you..........