It's been nearly 2 months since our puppy, Mac, died. It seems to have affected James more than we had at first appreciated. He mentions Mac frequently and, we're told, recently asked a supervisor at his after-school-club if all puppies die.
All of his pictures of late have featured a picture of a dog too.

Hopefully things will change with the appearance of Mac II.
That has to be rough on the little guy. On you too.