That dog-shaped space is always there isn't it, even after other lovely furbabies come into your life. Thirteen years ago my then OH had just walked out on me, I was getting bullied at work, my kids were going off to uni and I had to leave our rented home cos I couldn't afford it. I've never been so low in my life and then my beloved collie had to be pts, all this in the space of a few weeks. I had no garden to bury him in, the vet just drove away with his body in the back of her car. One minute he was in my arms, the next, he was gone. I buried his little teddy in my friend's garden, but it was not the same. I didn't know you could have the ashes. I still sometimes forget and look round on walks to see if he is plodding along behind. I have my two fab girlies now and it is good to remember how special and precious all our doggie family members are.