They cannot be replaced by any means, but a new dog/puppy does help heal the heart. After my beloved Starr passed away, I swore I never wanted another dog EVER
But my husband forced Luna on me, and having her to love DID help me a lot. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about Starr, and I even had a good cry in the shower last night because Luna is looking so much like her that it heals and breaks my heart all at the same time. It's been almost a year since my baby went to the Rainbow Bridge and the hurt does dull a bit with time, but it never goes away.