I lost Molly 4 years ago this week. I held her as she slipped away and was shocked at the level of loss that I felt. Dot and Marmaduke have not replaced her but added to to my life.
I live in wonder at the stamina of Jack and the bolshiness of Paddy, whose actually incredibly fragile. 26 years ago I lost Sammy, my first dog, he used to sit with me when I didn't know what to do and put his head on my lap as I sobbed after another soul destroying interaction with my then husband, who ultimately had him put down one night when I was at work.
What she should have said was that her violent, abusive son didn't have a soul worthy of Heaven. I'm pretty certain Molly and Sammy are enjoying their time in Paradise and occasionally making the time to check up on me.