When we lost Reba, our shepherd, my DH took it so hard I was frightened for him. He had never had a dog before. I heard him say to his dad on the phone that it seemed a preview for all his losses to come, his parents, his siblings. A little like your DH connecting Kati's death to the loss of his friends. I had a talk with our farm vet who said that in his experience, women certainly grieved, but he saw men really brought to their knees. I wonder if women just live closer to the cycle of birth and death, and men push it away - so that when it comes, it rocks them to the core.

Take gentle care of each other, and I hope you can bring a new dog (but the right one!) into the house before long. That's what my family always did - it couldn't really take away the hurt but it helped to have a new life in the house, one that wasn't grieving.

It's been about 7 years since we lost Reba. I hate being dogless, but we're not home enough these days. When we had Reba, our schedules were staggered and she was only home alone 3 days a week. The goats aren't as needy - and they're very good companions, too.