My wife swore we would never have an inside pet. My twin boys & I begged her but she wasn't having it. About 2 years ago I took a chance. I brought a 6 week old teacup/apple head Chihuahua (Penny) home. She was upset but it was cold out & didn't want to put her out in the cold (she does have a heart). She told me to take her back as soon as I could, but I was in the middle of a big job & it would be awhile.
The next week we got a call from her stepmom that her Dad's cancer had come back & come back with a vengence & moved to his brain. He only had a few days. We had to immediately, that night, go to South Carolina. We had no choice but to take Penny with us.
After the funeral we get back home and my wife couldn't sleep much for several weeks. She would be up at all hours of the night. Just my wife and Penny. Long story short, they bonded. My wife fed Penny, provided her with water, bath her and talked & cried to her. I wish I could take the credit for helping my wife get through such an awful time, but I'd be lying.
If it wasn't for that dog, my wife would have had a whole hell of lot harder time getting through it. And she will tell you that today. I asked her about a week after we returned if she still wanted me to take Penny back. She said heck no! Now she buys outfits for her & when she goes shopping she gets Penny something.
She had a disagreement with a family member the other day regarding dogs and said, "Penny is part of our family & we love her like we do our children". Where ever my wife goes Penny goes and if someone doesn't like it, too bad. All this from someone who never wanted an inside pet. Point is dogs are special & IMO a gift from God. they help and change people for the good, It's our job to love them, take care of them and cherish them. They are part of the family & it hurts like hell when they pass.
Cochise I don't drink, but if I did I'd drink one for Isis, so a swallow of sweet tea will have to do. My condolences. The advise on getting another is good advice if you can do that.