I realize this is 5 months too late but I just saw yhis thread (didn't even know there was a pet forum on FT.

Anyway, A year ago if I saw that post I would've thought "boy is this guy being melodramatic" . However last year I adopted a two year old beagle form the local Shelter and I can only say that it was by far the best thing I have ever done. when I got her (India but I call her Indy too) I was recovering from hip replacement surgery and I am not sure that without her I would've done all the walking i needed to do to rehab the hips.
She has been a godsend. I cannot imagine the pain you must have felt when your Indy passed away.

God Bless and Fare thee well Indy