My first dog died back in 2008. I, too, was crushed. A couple of weeks later a friend brought me a fluffly black and White puppy and what do you know - taking care of a Border Collie puppy absorbed all of my time and prevented me from grieving any more.

This time is different, as if I add 16 years to my current age I would have to live into my late 80s to take proper care of a new dog. The odds of me living that long are not good. So no more dogs for this old boy.