Steve, I am so sorry for your loss. It is never easy but does get better, 7 time will help to heal.
2 weeks after out maiden voyage trip to SD this winter, we lost our Gracie.
Six and a half years ago we found Gracie literally running along I-5. N of Salem. She was one half of the velcro, my wife was the other.
She made the trip to SD in her diapers and in my wife's lap....2500 miles and a real trooper. Now I know why my wife stumbled on the 20 a year ahead of our schedule, when we bought it a week later not even having a TV to bring it home and why we decided on SD for the maiden (where my wife and I met). It was all part Gracie's master plan. We were there to keep her company.
Last week we adopted a 4 mo old pup...Rooney (as in Andy....check the brows). The love and friendship cycle begins new.
She is a real sweetheart and I still find myself calling her Gracie. Like Oliver they are our best friends and much much more. My wife mentioned that in her lifetime Rooney is her 14th dog. I think her heart is pure dog by now and a whole lotta good dogs in the mix. Life doesn't get any better.
Maybe this story that I saved will help. This was published the day after Gracie died. Another sign...all part of her plan
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/...to-heaven.html
be well
Hi, so sorry to hear about your loss of Oliver, We lost our Dusty on Father's day. We catch ourselves talking about all of the good times we shared with Dusty. So sad to lose a pet. 
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