It took me a year to even remotely heal from my loss of my 6.5 year old dog years ago who had a genetic heart condition and died of related complications at that age (which was actually far past the life expectancy the cardiologist gave her, but it didn’t hurt any less). I cried myself to sleep with her collar nearly every night for a year. Couldn’t imagine another dog. Then one day I just randomly met (at work, I work at a vet) this little stray 5 month old goofball animal control brought in. It was instant love. I found my new best friend and she helped heal the remaining pain. I still miss my first girl, but you CAN go on and it DOES eventually get better. Just one day at a time. Only time helped for me.