The death of your friend, even though expected, was tough and your story struck a nerve for me. A dog truly can be man's best friend.

I had a dad and a brother die within a 30 day window and that was hard. My loyal black lab's death was almost as rough. She walked my kids to the bus stop every day when they were little and she would sit under a tree and wait for that bus to come back home so she could guard the girls on their short walk home. My fishing and camping photo albums are full of that dog we called "Cubby" . I still have the doghouse with her name over the door. She was part of the family not just a dog.

Sorry to hear about your loss. Hopefully you will go out and find a new dog to join your family.