JD and Dee, i am very sorry for both of you having recently lost your companions. 13 and 14 years are nice long lives for dogs, and with great people like you those lives must have been quite fulfilled. It's never easy to lose such precious relationships. May your fond memories comfort you ( and if stuffed toys help, that's all good too)

Goomie's surrogate.  He sleeps on the foot  of my bed at night, and in his little bed outside the kitchen door during the  day.

From what I recall the last time I had to have a dog put to sleep, this is an amazing comfort compared to the long, long period of grieving from the last time. 

My memories are so accustomed to seeing him in those places that I seem to be just going on loving him and, at times, I think I need to pick him up and give him some loving.  And, I do.  lol.  At night, I get into bed carefully so I won't disturb him.  It's insane, but it seems to be working, and it is not only me.  My companion or my son are just as likely to reach down and scratch him behind the ears or tug on his tail as I am.  We are all comfortably remembering him every day instead of missing him every day.

jd

Awwwww  how precious.