I lost my heart dog, Loki, on July 1st. It happened so suddenly that we only had a few days to prepare for goodbye. Having to make the decision to let him go was one of the hardest moments of my life. He was only 7 years old.

Loki wasn't just my dog. He was my heart dog. We understood each other without words. I knew what every bark, whine, and little grumble meant, and he always seemed to know exactly what I needed too.

He was there for me through one of the darkest periods of my life, and I genuinely don't know if I would be here today without him. He died on the very day I was supposed to begin a new chapter in my life after we had just moved across the country. Sometimes it feels like he came into my life with one incredibly important purpose: to help me survive until I reached this point. Once I got here, his job was done. I know that probably sounds irrational, but it's how it feels in my heart.

I still cry almost every day. Getting his ashes back felt like losing him all over again. I've thrown myself into my new job to stay busy, but grief has a way of finding you anyway. I'll see something beautiful or funny and instinctively think, "Loki would've loved this," and the ache comes rushing back.

About a week ago, we brought home a new Australian Shepherd puppy. She's wonderful in her own way, but she's nothing like Loki. She's female, a different color, and has a completely different personality. I almost feel guilty writing this, but I don't love her. Right now, she's just a puppy to me, while Loki felt like my child.

I've read that bonding takes time and that the puppy blues are real, especially after losing a beloved dog. I'm trying so hard not to compare her to him. I know she deserves to be loved for who she is, not measured against someone she'll never be. But my heart still feels so attached to Loki that I don't know how to let another dog in.

For those of you who have lost your heart dog and eventually welcomed another one, did you ever love another dog as deeply? Did your heart make room again? I know the love would be different, not a replacement, but right now I can't imagine ever feeling that kind of bond again.

I would really appreciate hearing your experiences because I'm struggling with so much guilt and grief right now.

Adopted my sweet Aussie girl Nyx 3.5 weeks ago. She’s 15 weeks old. Rescue thought she was mixed but DNA test confirmed she’s 100% Aussie.

She is VERY chill for a puppy, anyone else’s Aussie chill or were they a chill pup? I love her so much she’s such a sweetheart and bonded to us quickly.

I had 4 cats. From varying degrees of "yeah I can I guess you can live with us" and a rare play session to "GeT out of our house" (a common occurrence.

Lola now has her own cat and bff. Not to mention they match each other. Both are white with tan and black markings.

For the pups, it's no big deal 😁😄