To everyone who posted to this thread (if I missed anyone, I apologize) I thank you.
Your prayers, thoughts, anecdotes, poems and words of encouragement have been wonderful.
It has taken a few days to take in and read all of the comments, but the comfort from all of that has been great.
Thank you again.
I still dream about my last best friend and having to take him for his multiple walks daily, and when I wake up it’s a very difficult emotion to deal with. I know my personal situation would quickly improve if I could manage to bring myself to acquire another canine to replace my last one, but at this point I am unable to and I have to deal with the mental anguish that persists after five years come October. I loved that dog more than any other girlfriend or even my ex wife for the unrequited companionship and never ending love he gave me while requiring little to nothing in return and I don’t know if I can bring myself to begin another long term “relationship” again as the ending of the last one was very difficult to bear, and still is.
It’s become much easier to manage over the years and I hope for you as well time will heal your “wound”.
We want you to know that you are not alone....
Hope you’re doing better........;)
Still keeping you in my prayers, occam.