Fluffy is right on this one, but let me add that it is also okay to grieve for a little while first. How long is a little while? I guess that's for each of us alone to decide, we made it a solid month before we rescued a pair of lovely collies. Forever is too long though, I think, because, as Fluff said, there are so many good dogs that are alone, and have no voice to tell us how much the need a person to love.

In rememberance of Abner:

The House Dog's Grave

I’ve changed my ways a little; I cannot now
Run with you in the evenings along the shore,
Except in a kind of dream; and you,
If you dream a moment,
You see me there.

So leave awhile the paw-marks on the front door
Where I used to scratch to go out or in,
And you’d soon open; leave on the kitchen floor
The marks of my drinking-pan.
I cannot lie by your fire as I used to do
On the warm stone,
Nor at the foot of your bed; no,
All the nights through I lie alone.
But your kind thought has laid me less than six feet
Outside your window where firelight so often plays,
And where you sit to read—
And I fear often grieving for me—
Every night your lamplight lies on my place.
You, man and woman, live so long, it is hard
To think of you ever dying.
A little dog would get tired, living so long.
I hope that when you are lying
Under the ground like me your lives will appear
As good and joyful as mine. No, dears, that’s too much hope:
You are not so well cared for as I have been.
And never have known the passionate undivided
Fidelities that I knew.
Your minds are perhaps too active, too many-sided...
But to me you were true.

You were never masters, but friends. I was your friend.
I loved you well, and was loved. Deep love endures
To the end and far past the end. If this is my end,
I am not lonely. I am not afraid. I am still yours...

damn...

OP I am so sorry.  I'll bet you and your family gave him the very best life he could ever dream of, and for that he'll forever love you.  Personally, I don't believe that love ever leaves us.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

So sorry for your loss.

Sorry for your loss brother. I know exactly how you feel.

J-

RIP Abner

sorry

It got a little dusty when I read that. Fortunately, Dexter (the new Boxer) is such a handful that I've been busy and haven't had too much time to think about Abner.

That's great man, I'm sure you'll never forget Abner, but I'm glad you and Dexter have found each other, dogs make our lives so much better, way out of proportion to what folks would think. All the best!