Thank you for the kind words. Before Bunny (Pom) and Lola, I owned a shih tzu, Jade. She just stopped growing at 3.5 pounds and even the breeder was shocked when I updated her.
I brought Jade to the groomer one morning and got a call from them that afternoon to tell me she was dead. Supposedly they left her on the table with the groomer's noose to answer the door for a pet pickup, got chatty and when they returned, she had hung herself.
I was devastated and, as much of a dig lover as I am, was unable to even look at another dog for about two years. Then came Bunny and a year or so later, Lola. They were "our girls." We brought them on vacations and my kids were even joked that I loved "the girls" more than them. Duh, dogs don't talk back, wreck your car or have their hand out for money all the time.
I am sad for your loss but happy you were able to open up again and find Mandie. She is a beauty. Thank you for sharing your story.