The most recent was the hardest. I had worked at home for his 14 years and man, he was never away from my side. Those times he wasn't sitting next to my chair ready to go do something he slept with him head on my foot so he wouldn't miss me getting up.
Thought he'd be the last, was concerned that the next time a dog would out live me and even if not I didn't know if I could go through that again. But selfishly there were just too many ghosts. Was constantly looking around for him and seeing a shadow or, for a brief moment, wonder where he was. It was weird.
I lasted a whole 3 months.
Been two full years now and the new dog is a joy but I still get dust or smoke in my eyes when I thing about those that have past.
Dogs are truly a gift from God.