This will be the first holiday season with out my dog...

yes i know what it feels like to loose a pet its heart braking and i am so sorry for your loss. you will cry for the sad times and cry more for the happy times. smile but hang in there, it helps if you talk to friends and family who have lost a pet they may be more sincere and willing to listen and understand than those who have not. this may sound strange but until you fully get over your loss it may not hurt to still put a little something under the tree just to help with your grieving process rather than to forget he ever existed which i know would never happen. but in time your grief will pass and you'll be able to have a photo up and smile without crying. I had read a article about a pet owner who lost their dog and they were devastated after some time they decided to get another dog and they were happy this did not replace the pet they lost but did allow to bring joy back into their lives and give them a chance to share their love with another animal who needed a loving home. i as a well have thought about getting another pet not to replace but to be able to share my love again with another pet who needs love. so give your self time to heal and dont be afraid to talk about your feelings in regards to your dog people who dont own pets can be a little harsh in understanding how you feel but there are places online that allow support and you may want to look in your phone book for pet loss support ok take care and sorry to hear about your loss and know that you are not alone.

That's a tough one buddy. I know how it is. Because I keep dogs as pets too. I know it's difficult to deal with. But you have to understand the fact that everybody has to move on from this world to another sometime. Some people find it helpful to get another pet so that they can heal their hearts with the thought of caring for their new pets. While praying their old pet is in a new home that was better than the one they have now. :) Hang in there.

That's sad. They certainly do take up a huge chunk of our hearts and our lives. I have several pets and it's all getting a bit too much for me. I was wondering what would happen when I passed and I realised there would be no-one to care for my animals and I thought, will I have to leave instructions for them to be put down? Should I try to give them away before something happens to me? I really cannot imagine having them here with me. What happens to animals when their people die I wonder?