I am so sorry Miranda. You did the right thing, and time will heal. You will never replace her, and don't think just because you got another dog you are replacing her. That was my husbands fear when we got a new dog after we lost our Bernese mtn dog. He felt like he was replacing him. Our dogs have a new place in our hearts, but we will never forget our berner.

You will know when you are ready for another dog. What happened with me is my dogs found me. I was ready, my husband was not and I found a dog in bad shape and we ended up keeping her. Same thing with the next one.

The pictures you posted of your girl are beautiful as are things you said about her. I agree that it will be very fitting to bring her back to her favorite swimming spot.