I know he's out there. My little Rudy. I just haven't found him yet.

Rudy is the puppy we plan to get. We don't know just yet where he'll come from or even when we'll get him. But we know he'll be as precious a friend as our little Sam was.

Sam, our beloved cocker spaniel, died of a sudden illness last month. He had been our faithful companion for seven years. Our wonderful veterinarian and his dedicated staff did their best to save our dog, but in the end it wasn't to be.

Each day I come home, I long to be greeted at the door by that rowdy little mop. Instead, the house feels empty. In the evenings, a blanket covers my lap where a friendly hound used to sleep.

According to HelpGuide.org, more than 80 percent of American pet owners, my family included, consider their pets to be members of the family. While my family had a dog when I was growing up, Sam was my husband's first pet. At first, the two didn't much see eye to eye. Over the years, though, that little dog and my husband reached an understanding of love, loyalty and companionship.

Sam helped teach my children to be kind, gentle and responsible. He helped show them how to express love freely and openly. He became my baby when my children no longer needed babying. He was spoiled rotten, and we loved it that way.

Losing him has been tough for all of us.

"For someone who has truly loved a pet," says HelpGuide.org, "the loss of that animal can feel just as devastating as a human loss, if not more. The very things that make animals different than humans often make them more endearing. An animal who doesn't talk can't pass judgment or give you the silent treatment or withhold companionship and love. For many, pets provide a source of unwavering love, affection and companionship. The qualities of a beloved pet are hard to match in human form. The loss of that companion can be heartbreaking."

Amen to that.

In spite of our grief - or maybe because of it - my family plans to get another dog in the coming months. We have decided the special brand of joy and comfort a pet brings is worth the sorrow when it leaves us.

We'll soon begin our search for another pup, and we'll name him after Sam's favorite toy, Rudy. Rudy won't be a replacement for Sam, rather an extension of him and the unconditional love that floppy-eared little beast showed us for seven years.

So hang tight, little Rudy. We'll find you soon, and we promise you a great life in a loving home.

Have you grieved the loss of a pet? Share your stories on www.wcfcourier.com/mommytalk.