Grieving Collie - Any suggestions, please!

I am so sorry for the loss of both your beloved dogs, Buck and Gypsy. I cannot imagine what you are going thru to have lost them both right after each other. We had to put our dear family little girl Maddie down and within a year our sweet rescued girl Luna died of heart failure in my arms (she had a heart condition). Losing both so close was so very hard, so my heart completely goes out to you and your family.

My advice to you is, do not hold back on any of your grief. I think sometimes we feel as tho we shouldn't grieve so thoroughly over our pets. Either that or friends or family members who don't understand can make us feel that way. Nevermind any thoughts you have or suggestions from others that you should 'get over it.' I have lost many loved ones, human and animal, and I have grieved the hardest over my pets. We are closer to them than we will be to most people we know. We are with them everyday, sometimes all day long, and they love us so thoroughly and unconditionall y that it makes the loss even harder. So take your time, and grieve as much as you need to. And when you're ready, I would suggest getting a new pup. Let that dog bond to you, then in a year or two, get another one. I, like some others on here, feel it is vital to have more than one dog in the house at all times as well. They truly need the canine companionship as well, as you have seen for yourself. Then with the second dog, make sure you take it out and have time just for the two of you so it bonds with you as well and not just the other dog. This will also help.

My great grandmother died of tuburculosis (sp?) in the 60s. She had been quaranteened for some time before her death. The morning she died, they woke her husband and told him that she was gone. They made Daddy Drew breakfast, but he didn't touch a thing, and just sat there. Then he said he was going to go lay down for awhile. This man, who was in perfectly good help, laid back on his bed, stretched his arms out wide, and died. It is amazing what the power of love can do, and how it can spare us the pain of being without the ones we love. Buck and Gypsy are together forever now, probably running thru fields, chasing squirrels and taking naps in the sun. =)