some people handle grief in different ways.. but when my mother lost her chihuahua of 12 years. (collapsed trachea) on a friday morning she was so heartbroken she was unable to cry . I consoled her and suggested we go right out and get another... my thinking behind it was .. "it will change her focus on a new baby and help take her torment away. " I said please trust me. She took my advice... I was able to get a hold of a breeder and it was perfect timing. I drove three hours to get her. ..She was 11 weeks.. and by Sunday night she was in my mothers arms. My mother held her and lol she started comparing her to her old dog... LOL typical i guess and we love our new girl so much and to this very day we honor our old 12 year old.. We smile when we think of the things she use to do. My mother has weeped over her sometimes.. But i think the process was sort of healthy for my mother.... like i said,, others handle grief in different ways. I just thought i would share this.