So sorry to hear about your dog's passing. It's an incredibly difficult thing.

We waited for about 6 months before we got a puppy. In between we got several tropical fish, some hermit crabs and a cat... but all we really wanted was a dog... (Sorry Catsby)

Even so, I still found myself thinking this dog isn't Maddie (our previous dog). And I kind of found myself not bonding with her. In fact it has taken several years but now I completely love her. She isn't Maddie. She is her own dog and she's great. The truth is no dog is going to replace the bond that you had with a previous dog... it's a new bond. And I am not sure about this but I think all dogs are probably awesome. And I didn't think I could love a dog more than Maddie but I will end up loving this dog, "Shanti", just as much. Just different.

Anyway, congratulations on the new pup. She looks beautiful. She is blessed to go to such a good home.