Jitters,
I'm so sorry for your loss.
I hardly know you or any of you here, (I'm only a passing visitor to Jamaica and thus to this board) so I hope you'll forgive my 2 cents at such an intimate time.
But I'm of the opinion that every relationship is unique and irreplaceable, and although I currently live with 4 dogs (rescued from various circumstances) I still grieve for a dog named Bessie Looselips, who died of breast cancer nearly 10 years ago at age 7.
She was a special dog, at least to me, and I recovered from the pain of her loss by taking up painting, and painting images of her in different situations. Even doing that, it took me a year to recover, actually, and that was with the devotion and demands of other dogs (and cats, and the odd rescue raccoon or bird). And I had many moments of thinking "enough! Life would be so much easier if I didn't have to make ridiculous arrangements each time I got the travel bug." Still, these responsibilities keep me steady and healthy, or perhaps even sane.
But that's my choice right now, it could change, and I hope I won't have to defend any of these decisions to anyone.
So do what you must. There are many paths.
But wasn't it you that asked a few months ago what people were reading? Reading this thread, I finally worked up the nerve to open "The Art of Racing in the Rain."
I think you might like it.
Peace.