I think you should keep the dog if it gives you comfort...the girlfriend will move on eventually, and I think its more important for you to have a little piece of your son to keep by your side to remind you that your son will never really be completely gone from you...I know some people would tell me I'm wrong, but I believe those we love that have died can somehow reach out to us from time to time to bring us love and comfort..maybe its really God doing it FOR them, because He sees our great pain and knows what would help even a tiny bit...with us its music..our son loved music so much..and on my WORST days, I feel he [or God or whatever ...I don't CARE from who or from what..I know its coming from a GOOD place] I have felt a reaching out and a comfort from a song on the internet, or even one day, a sound of a toy guitar in his room....so keep the dog....try to do it diplomatically if you can, but the girlfriend should be able to understand how much the dog means to you and not be a jerk about it..one would HOPE anyway....

Hi Shelley

 Just wondering how you are doing these days. We share the bond of losing our only child and I know it adds special challenges. I am missing my son so much more as time goes on . I am trying hard to make him proud, become more spiritual and try to make some sense out of this mess. This site really helps me get through it all and I have missed seeing posts from you so wanted to let you know I am sending prayers, hugs and hope.

By the way I am such an animal lover and have 3 cats and one bossy little terrier mix dog. I lost my Burmese mix 2 years ago. He was 12 and the best doggie ever. I will post a picture of Daniel and Duplo, the dog. Then last year I lost my kitty Monkey Boy who was also 12 and Duplo's best friend. When I look at pictures of my son with these beautiful souls I can't believe they have all gone but I like to think of them all together now. And he's not an only child in heaven. I had two late miscarriages (both girls) and I just know they are together.  I find so much comfort in the animals I still have in my life. I am so grateful for them. Really so grateful.