I really don't know what to tell you. I lost my heart-dog over a year ago... and still miss her everyday. I never had a connection with an animal like that before. Yeah i loved my pets but Foo was different, i never could explain it. I knew from the moment i held her and she pee'd in my hand, I belonged to her. I still catch myself looking to see if she is outside waiting for me to get home. Everyday she was in the same spot when i'd pull in.
Now that being said.
I got Zag 2 days after Foo passed away. I've always told people who lost a dog to get a puppy A.S.A.P. never knowing exactly why. The bond you create with your new pup *as a person in mourning* becomes quite strong surpirsingly fast. Nothing fills the moments of numbness better then the giggles generated by puppydom. When your feeling like life will never be the same, you have a cute lil fluffy butt to comfort you.
IMHO there are only a few things harder to deal with in life. Just know that bond you had with your beloved Shadow will never break, and in the end I believe we will be reunited in some way or form. You are in my prayers and I am sooo sorry for your loss, my thoughts go out to you.
Foos