Oh marilynsue, I am so sorry for your loss. Whenever I let my boys outside at night, I stand over them like a mama bear. I am so terrified that something will get into my yard and snatch them away from me. I would go insane with grief also.
I do not think age plays a part in the amount of grief you feel, I am 35 now, but when I was 28 I went through the most painful thing in my life. During that time, my precious first Yorkie, who was only 5 months old died tragically. I thought I died inside. It was almost too much pain and loss for me to bear. After a month when my situation calmed down a bit, I got 2 more yorkies. Nothing healed my heart and opened me up again like these boys do! Consider another baby in due time. It's not a replacement for elly, its a baby for you to love and who will love you.
(((HUGS))) RIP Elly!